September 21

”There are only two tragedies in life: one is not getting what one wants, and the other is getting it.” Oscar Wilde

There is more than one way to look at any tragedy that befalls us. For example, I recently had someone vandalize some of my property. It happened completely out of the blue, seemed perfectly unjustifiable and created a pocket of chaos in my life as I had to deal with it. And like most people, it gave me an opportunity to complain about life, about bad things happening to me and all the rest. One comment in particular as I shared my story made me change my attitude a little faster than I probably would have. Someone responded “Well, you know, this having happened may have prevented something even worse.” No idea like that had certainly crossed my mind while I was dealing with the insurance agency, authorities and figuring out how it was going to affect my pocketbook. That outside opinion made me step back and look at the bigger picture, and whose will needed to be followed. Sure, the situation was inconvenient and unpleasant, but in the grand scheme of things, really not the end of the world. A temporary setback that I would soon forget. So no need to spend too much time or energy griping or worrying, just deal with it and move on. There are so many better areas of my life that deserve my attention.

Affirmation I am learning to put things into greater perspective and to be open to the opinions of others as I journey through life.

September 17

”Our strength often increases in proportion to the obstacles imposed upon it.” Paul de Rapin

My life often feels like a series of tragic events… and I am sure it sounds that way when I tell others. I know that I often have the hidden desire of seeking sympathy. I heard a country song recently that summed things up pretty well, that it just “sounds like life to me.” I certainly can relate, in retrospect, that many of my “tragedies”, while painful and a pretty big deal when I am in the middle of them, are not really that huge when I get through them. The truth of the matter is that I tend to overreact and let situations overwhelm me that don’t warrant that much attention. It is a habit that helped feed my addiction, and still does when I let it. It is part of the same pattern that allows an addictive seed to be planted in my thoughts that eventually grows into something with enough momentum to lead me into my middle or inner circle behaviours. I no longer react instantaneously, but it still builds up to the point of no return after hours or days. That auto-pilot escape mechanism still functions all too well. I still need to be gentle with myself, forgive myself for being human and slipping on occasion. My life really is so much better. I need to keeping trusting in my Higher Power and working the program.

Affirmation I may slip and fall, but I will continue to get back up. My tragedies are not often as bad as I try to make them to be and things will improve.