How many times have I gotten out of bed with my internal forecast "cloudy with chance of deluge?" Yesterday was one of those days!
Well, not exactly first thing in the morning. No, not yesterday! Actually my first thought was "Callie (my spoiled kitty ), who ever taught you 5:00 a.m. was the appropriate time to wake your owner up!?"
Things went downhill from there at lightening speed. You know...one of those hard to handle things that life "gifts" us with. I am sure you have experienced lots of these too.
What tools got me out of the funk that day?
My first tool was my favorite prayer...Oh, God!"
Secondly, I texted my sponsor asking if she had time to talk. As I waited for her to be free, I texted my long-term OA friend about my resentment/fear.
As I talked with my sponsor some of the feelings disappeared. Afterwards, I went to a friend I consider to be my non-OA sponsor/friend. Two more things diminished the feelings even further...the compassionate ear of a friend and the comfort of her kitty purring in my lap.
What did I learn that day? Life has moments of joy and pain and I have the choice about which I give force to. Secondly, I learned that the tools of OA work. And lastly, I learned I can use life experience tools that are not on the official list.
J
Jan E - Guest Blog
Well, not exactly first thing in the morning. No, not yesterday! Actually my first thought was "Callie (my spoiled kitty ), who ever taught you 5:00 a.m. was the appropriate time to wake your owner up!?"
Things went downhill from there at lightening speed. You know...one of those hard to handle things that life "gifts" us with. I am sure you have experienced lots of these too.
What tools got me out of the funk that day?
My first tool was my favorite prayer...Oh, God!"
Secondly, I texted my sponsor asking if she had time to talk. As I waited for her to be free, I texted my long-term OA friend about my resentment/fear.
As I talked with my sponsor some of the feelings disappeared. Afterwards, I went to a friend I consider to be my non-OA sponsor/friend. Two more things diminished the feelings even further...the compassionate ear of a friend and the comfort of her kitty purring in my lap.
What did I learn that day? Life has moments of joy and pain and I have the choice about which I give force to. Secondly, I learned that the tools of OA work. And lastly, I learned I can use life experience tools that are not on the official list.
J
Jan E - Guest Blog