Month: April 2015

My Daughter/Myself

Marilea C. RabasaLeave a comment
Sometimes my words pale before Angie’s, and I’m very glad of that. Her voice should be loud and clear in this memoir: the voice of the child, the voice of the poet, and later, sadly, the voice of the young woman corrupted by addiction. I sprinkle the story with examples of her writing, little snapshots of my daughter, at different points in her life. When she was eight, she wrote this (from “My Daughter/Myself”):

My Favorite Person

Of course the great poignancy of the story is that my daughter and I mirror each other. We share the same addictions. But my child is a worse version of myself, and so much of the work in my life now has been coming to terms with that legacy and learning how to transcend it. I am deeply grateful for all the education and support I’ve received in the 12-Step fellowships over the years. It is in those rooms that I’ve taken back my life and learned how to be happy and at peace. Hugs and prayers to all of my friends as we share our strength and hope on this journey!

Acceptance

Marilea C. RabasaLeave a comment
From Hope For Today, January 18:

“This was the only thought I remembered from my first Al-Anon meeting: We can learn to live at peace with ourselves and others. ‘Live at peace with ourselves and others?’ I wondered. ‘How do people do this?’ From my alcoholic upbringing to my own family and workplace, I had never experienced a peaceful way of life. With myself, I was constantly fighting against the guilt, fear and anger that ruled my life. With others, I was always fighting for some cause or belief, trying to make them see that my position was the right one. Of course I never won, and the wars never ceased.

When I came to Al-Anon, I finally found the peace I desired so much. Al-Anon taught me that the path to peace is accepting the people, places, things, and situations I cannot change. Accepting myself as I am…freed me from my self-inflicted inner judge and jury. Accepting others with the use of the Serenity Prayer allowed me to stop fighting. Acceptance allows God to do what I cannot. Acceptance opens the door for my growth and leads me on my spiritual journey, one day at a time.”

Happiness Is A Choice

Marilea C. RabasaLeave a comment

15 Things You Should Give Up To Be Happy

1. Give up your need to be always right.

2. Give up your need for control.

3. Give up blame.

4. Give up your self-defeating self-talk.

5. Give up your limiting beliefs.

6. Give up complaining.

7. Give up the luxury of criticism.

8. Give up your need to impress others.

9. Give up your resistance to change.

10. Give up labels.

11. Give up on your fears.

12. Give up your excuses.

13. Give up the past.

14. Give up attachment.

15. Give up living your life to other people’s expectations.