The meeting went well today. We got a lot of work done, and it was actually a good process. I sat and watched the wave pool in front of the NOAA building. It's really a neat thing. Right in the middle of downtown, there are waves sloshing against granite and making a sound just like at the beach.
And that thought makes me want to be at the beach. And it makes me grateful that I don't live in a big city or have to work in a highrise. Instead, I live in the country surrounded by great trees. And I work in an office that overlooks the harbor. Funny how those things are something that I can take for granted until I come to another locale. All that beauty that surrounds me is in stark contrast to these high rise buildings.
I think sometimes that I take people for granted too. I don't mean to do that. It's not as if I don't think of the people and appreciate them. I think that I simply get comfortable with them and get used to them being around. So last night I called my SO to say "I love you". I say those words on a regular basis but for some reason I wanted to say them with special emphasis.
It's hard to stay completely conscious of everything. I often fall into that take stuff for granted mode.
ReplyDeleteVery sweet and thoughtful, syd.
ReplyDeleteLove that wave pool. A great place to sit and think/pray.
ReplyDeleteEvery now and then..I get that feeling where I just want to call everyone I know and tell them that I appreciate them...that's from working our beautiful program mi amigo....the fruits...don't ya think?
PS: No, to your comment on my blog. It's a modern day Vampire Book...it seems to be relaxing my analytical brain.
That fountain sounds beautiful. You are blessed to be surrounded by nature and to be in touch with that.
ReplyDeleteHave a great 24!
Gwen~
I think that one of the things I treasure most about being sober is the capacity to be AWARE of just the type of things that you have described. I love hearing that you are getting the same feelings.
ReplyDelete(PS: yes, I did paint the mural, thanks.)
Hurry home, Syd!
ReplyDeleteLove, Anonymous#1
That's one lucky SO, I'd say.
ReplyDelete;o)
I'm mad at you.I was going to go for a run,but I thought I'll just check Syd's blog.I got absorbed in your older posts.I laughed,I cried,I saw how far you have come. Mostly, I was astounded that you paint your garage floor,I thought my husband was the only one who did that(every year!)
ReplyDeleteEnjoyable, now I'm out the door.
I find that I sometimes take things for granted. I try to stay conscious of that and have gotten better, but still have a long way to go.
ReplyDeleteWell said.
ReplyDeleteLiving in a concrete jungle, I forget about the beauty of the countryside.
I think you are one swell guy. Really.
ReplyDeletei think everyone takes for granted something at some stage. then people like you come along and remind us of the rewards of being grateful... enjoy your weekend.
ReplyDeleteit is easy to get comfortable and take others for granted - to get complacent. but you noticed it and took action. swell huh :) i agree with Miss Ginnie - the AWARENESS we have in recovery is such a blessing b/c we "catch" ourselves while some others may not.. they have no clue - "unconcious" as eckhart says i suppose. u have a great weekend syd!
ReplyDeleteLife really is beautiful, isn't it? I'm sitting here listening to frog sounds from my neighbor's pond and the breeze through our trees. My son found a honeybee hive in one of the dead hollowed out trees and we're excited about the gardens we're planting in hopes of helping the honeybees.
ReplyDeleteI wouldn't trade my now for anything.
Calling your SO just because was a very sweet, carpe diem thing to do. I bet she grinned for quite awhile afterwards.
Hi Syd,
ReplyDeleteI've left a comment before, hoping you would contact me. The Second Road would like to commission you as a blogger for 30 days.
You have an astounding gift for communicating your experience. It is very valuable to the online recovery community. I hope to hear from you, my name is Alix and the email is alix.bryan@gmail.com. Perhaps you could delete this comment after reading.
ss
ReplyDeleteI am hoping all of you will listen and hear me tonight. I am truly at a low point. The alcoholic in my life told me tonight that I am an embarassment. When I expressed my need for time and attention, I was recvd with a cold shoulder and told to leave. I actually drank too much tonight. I haven't done that in a year at least. The alcoholic in my life does it regularly and i never know if they are alive or not, but tonight i did it and I am an embarassment to them because of it. I have been attending al-anon meetings, but I have had a relapse. No matter how hard I try to not get into relationships with alcoholics or addicts, I find them and they find me. Of course, I'm the only one in my family who thinks we have a problem. If my dghtr weren't so fucking beautiful and precious, I would certainly be more tragic. I don't know how to stop the cycle. I am in so much pain, I just don't know how to break it.
ReplyDeleteKeep coming back to al anon meetings anonymous! If drinking isnt helping either, put that on the back burner while you sort out your more immediate concerns. rome wasn't built in a day, and you just have to keep bringing your body to meetings, till your mind follows. I'm sure it will work for you just like it works for LOTS of other Al anons..
ReplyDeletehttp://www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk/newcomer/videoh.shtml
if you cannot control the amount you take once you start drinking, you may be an alcoholic, so aa meetings might help you there..
good luck! keep coming back!
Anonymous, do the next right thing, whatever is right in front of you, even it is a simple as brushing your teeth. The next right thing may be making sure you and your daughter have breakfast, get fresh air, go for a drive. Alcoholics will always direct thier angst, anger, nastiness, at the person who threatens them the most, usually thier partner, wife, husband etc. Keep going to meetings, even if you don't want to. If nothing changes nothing changes, the mere act of being in the presence of others who want to be well, peaceful, joyfull, will by default, change you little by little. Forget what anyone thinks, parents,family, freinds. Most folks have NO IDEA what alcholism is and how it effects EVERYONE around it. If you want it bad enough, the peace, the self acceptance and love, you will have to work for it, read , listen, go to meetings. That work, is truly a labor of love, the best kind.
ReplyDeleteHang in there.
I live in quite a nice place as you may be able to tell on todays post/vid I also work in a lovely spot and yes I take what ive got for granted and I forgot to pray this morning, lets step back and rise above it all, its a great life in it
ReplyDelete