First of all, happy Valentine's Day to all my friends at MWO!
"Some of us waste time brooding over past failures and lost opportunities. Since the past is beyond our reach, we can't change anything that happened. We do, however, have the power to change the way we view the present. We can begin by realizing that our past troubles really may have been valuable lessons. "
On this the most hallowed of all Hallmark holidays I thought it might be a good time to talk about loving ourselves. For so many years my drinking career centered around trying to forget my past, and I continually tried to drown out the pain and suffering that I had caused myself and others. Learning to love myself meant learning not only to accept my past, but to understand that it was possible to rewrite my new story going forward.
The first step is to stop treating ourselves as a mental punching bag. That whole positive outlook on life is a huge part of this, I think. If we can develop that, then those past events can be looked upon in a different light, and can be used to help shape and reinforce the new us. Instead of being something to cringe at I can say "that is the person that I used to be - look how different I am now!"
Okay, off to start sucking down every piece of chocolate in site, and look out Valentine's cookies. Perfect example of another area that I used to get upset about. Before I got sober I did a terrible job taking care of myself and eating sweets like that would only magnify that feeling. Now, because I am a fitness nut I can treat myself to these days and not feel too guilty!
Have a great day everyone!
"Some of us waste time brooding over past failures and lost opportunities. Since the past is beyond our reach, we can't change anything that happened. We do, however, have the power to change the way we view the present. We can begin by realizing that our past troubles really may have been valuable lessons. "
On this the most hallowed of all Hallmark holidays I thought it might be a good time to talk about loving ourselves. For so many years my drinking career centered around trying to forget my past, and I continually tried to drown out the pain and suffering that I had caused myself and others. Learning to love myself meant learning not only to accept my past, but to understand that it was possible to rewrite my new story going forward.
The first step is to stop treating ourselves as a mental punching bag. That whole positive outlook on life is a huge part of this, I think. If we can develop that, then those past events can be looked upon in a different light, and can be used to help shape and reinforce the new us. Instead of being something to cringe at I can say "that is the person that I used to be - look how different I am now!"
Okay, off to start sucking down every piece of chocolate in site, and look out Valentine's cookies. Perfect example of another area that I used to get upset about. Before I got sober I did a terrible job taking care of myself and eating sweets like that would only magnify that feeling. Now, because I am a fitness nut I can treat myself to these days and not feel too guilty!
Have a great day everyone!
ray:
So far I've done the exercise thing. I guess I will have to make some chocolate ice cream in the new Vitamix LOL! Your observation about how we think in a self centered perspective about the past is interesting. Never considered that before, but it's true for me too. As the Dalai Lama instructs, the broader our thinking of the world around us, the less dramatic and overwhelming (smaller) our own problems seem. (note to self: look for the video of that WHOLE presentation!)
That was a very nice Valentine's Day surprise for the right price!
:ranger 
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