focusing on the positives

[cuckoosnest83]

Unfortunately, I have had 3 drinks tonight. Somehow I think drinking makes my life better but it doesn't. It only makes it worse. I have a very good life and I have been very fortunate but I tend to be a drama queen and I focus on what isn't right in my life. I am fortunate enough to have a stable job that pays well, I have 3 dogs that love me unconditionally, I have nieces and nephews that I am very close to, I have no major health issues. I drank tonight but tomorrow morning I will get up and post on this thread about something else I have to be grateful for. I believe feeling a sense of gratitude is a good start to help in beating this addiction.

[Doggygirl]

focusing on the positives

Hi again Cuckoo! I look forward to reading more as you begin to journal. I love your idea of a gratitude list. I'm a lot like that too - I can really be a drama queen and focus on what's wrong with my life rather than what's right about it if I allow that thinking to go on.

3 Dogs - what kind? We have 5 (3 German Shepherds, 1 Beagle, 1 Mutt). I am usually grateful for them.

DG

[cuckoosnest83]

focusing on the positives

Doggygirl, all my girls are mutts. Two I found on the streets and one I adopted from the shelter I volunteer at. I love shepherds and beagles. Those are the dogs I grew up with.

[Doggygirl]

focusing on the positives

The Shepherds are Mr. Doggy's favorite breed. He participates in Schutzhund with two of them. (The 3rd has a SchH1 Title but is retired) The mutt's are "mommy's." Our Beagle was found lost in the woods by a friend who was not allowed to keep a dog per her lease. Turned out he is a seizure dog which may explain how he ended up lost in the woods. The mutt came from the local Animal Control.

Good that you have all rescues!

DG

[cuckoosnest83]

focusing on the positives

Doggygirl, what is Schutzhund and a SchH1 title? I'm not familiar with either of those.

Feel really pretty good today so my focus will be that each day I will be getting stronger and better.

Plans for today include a walk at lunch, the gym on the way home from work, a dinner of spaghetti wtih homemade pasta sauce and then maybe a walk after dinner. Also have plenty of reading material to catch up on. Will really try to watch my self-talk today and ease up on being the drama queen.

Come here and post.

[fluff]

focusing on the positives

I found that posting on here from 5-6:30ish really helped me alot- the time went by quickly and I didn't need that drink after all-
You have a plan, and that is great- really stack the armour up around yourself and make your sobriety numero uno! ( I sound all preachy here)-
Had spaghetti last night, btw
See you this evening, Cuckoo!

[mama bear]

focusing on the positives

My father grew up in the woods of North Georgia and had 14 beagles, He is 72 years old and can still name every one of them!!!

[cuckoosnest83]

focusing on the positives

Fluff, I will be on tonight and look forward to seeing you. Are you still keeping a journal?

Mama Bear, that is impressive. Sometimes I can't remember the name of the 3 dogs I currently have.

[fluff]

focusing on the positives

Hi Cuckoo- I stopped the journal- I think " My Damn Brain" thread will be sort of an ongoing " journal" or check-in place for me.
How did your day go today?

[Doggygirl]

focusing on the positives

Hi Cuckoo and friends! I love your plan for today Cuckoo. Especially that pasta part with home made sauce. What time should I be there?

Positive self talk is awesome.

One of the first things my AA sponsor had me start doing was twice a day (first thing in the morning, and last thing before bed) read some affirmations out loud while looking in the bath room mirror. And smiling at myself. I felt like such an idiot at first but I promised myself I would just do as she suggested every day for a week no matter how silly it seemed. Amazing - I started feeling better! So if you are feeling adventurous about positive thinking, that is an idea for you. I had a set of 4 positive things.

Be brave! Be positive!

DG

[cuckoosnest83]

focusing on the positives

First, Doggygirl, less than 142 days to go before you reach 1000 days of being sober. How awesome. It is no wonder you are counting again. I am so happy and proud for you. As I have said you are an inspiration to all of us.

Today at work I found a catalogue on the breakroom table. The catalogue is from a company called "Femail Creations". I hadn't heard of it before. Paging through it, I was amazed at how many of their items were inspirational, affirmations, and AA inspired. There were also a few that were drink related but I tried to ignore them.

Doggygirl, I do think the affirmations in the mirror will be a good exercise but not an easy one. We tend to beat ourselves down.


Fluff, where is "The Damn Brain" thread? I would like to check it out?

[cuckoosnest83]

focusing on the positives

Didn't sleep a wink last night but feel more alert than I have in months.

[fluff]

focusing on the positives

Hey, Cuckoo- Yeah, even if you had a rough sleep-it's still soooooo much better than waking up hung-over- ... " My Damn Brain" thread I started up in the General Discussions forum...
I don't think I could do the mirror-affirmations thing- but, I think writing positive stuff about myself would definitely help-so-i think I'll do that and see how it affects me....
Tell us how your day went- and try and check in everyday-( no pressure- just, suggestion)
All the best,
Fluff

[Doggygirl]

focusing on the positives

OK Ladies. I am prescribing mirror affirmations (with lights on and eyes open!) for EVERYONE. Just 4 positive things about yourself. Just twice a day. Do it for a week. You can do ANYTHING twice a day for a week, right?

How 'bout something like this?

* I am a beautiful woman in recovery.
* I am a woman who is deserving of love.
* I am woman who is capable of giving love.
* I am a woman who will do the next right thing.

Just think on it, OK? Those aren't my exact affirmations. Two of them are the same and two are modified as I got mine from a Nun so two of them are God based. I will be happy to share the originals if you wish.

Good to hear that we are all unhung today! That is awesome. I hope the sleep gets better for you soon cuckoo.

Hope we all have a good plan for the witching hour.

DG

[cuckoosnest83]

focusing on the positives

Doggygirl, I remember reading a post a while ago about you and the nun and how it affected you. I will have to go back and look at all your posts to see if I can find that one. I will try the affirmations in the mirror but right now just mental affirmations are a positive.

As far as sleep, Doggygirl, I bought some natural sleep aids to see if tha can help.