Attitude is Everything

I found this quote about attitude online and it really spoke to me.  I recently have had some dealings with some people who say they want to make healthy changes in their life.  When they are given solutions or have solutions it usually ends in "ya but", "I know, but". I remember saying that to people years ago and now I see I didn’t want the solution bad enough.  It's so defeating to have an excuse to stay the same, stay in the drama, stay in the sick thinking, the rescuing, the enabling, the addictions.  We can all come up with an excuse in order to do what is easy. 
Finally, I came to realized that I could just move forward and learn to remove the "but" and replace it with a "yes!"  My whole attitude and outlook changed.  I no longer felt defeated by outside events, other people, and anything else beyond my control. I was living in the solution and I still try to do that today. 

Additional Blog - mindfulpain.blogspot.com

I have decided to start an additional blog called Mindful Pain. I really want to keep this blog with a clear message of recovery.  I have been so blessed in recovery by living the steps in my daily life.  I have freedom from active addiction and am able to maintain a life in recovery from codependency.  I love to write about all things codependency and addiction so I am keeping this blog as a separate entity.  I also wanted to share on my journey with chronic pain and fibromyalgia but that will muddle the message I want to deliver here...so my additional blog is mindfulpain.blogspot.com I named it that because I use mindfulness in all parts of my life.  It has become particularly helpful where pain is concerned...and so a new blog is born.  Bonnie J

My Journey with Chronic Pain

So far my posts have been recovery related for the most part.  Recovery is the most important thing in my life because without it, I lose everything I love in my life.  The following post explains the beginning of my journey into living in recovery with chronic pain.

Acceptance

Acceptance is a spiritual principle that I have heard used in many groups I have been to for recovery, PTSD, and Pain.  I have struggled to find acceptance in all of these areas.  I also have experienced the deep serenity from finding acceptance in all of these areas of my life.  I have gratitude that I am able to share with others what I have learned on my journey.  Having that purpose in my life has allowed me to experience full acceptance of my past, leaving behind blame, shame, regret, resentments, and fear.  Acceptance is not condoning events or actions but it is letting them go in order to have peace; there is nothing I can do to change the past.  

Serenity and Inner Peace

There is a lot of talk about Serenity and Inner Peace in 12 step fellowships.  We say the Serenity Prayer and it seems that inner peace is the goal of many who are on a journey of healing.  I figure if that is my goal then I would like to explore exactly what I’m working so hard to achieve.  There are many definitions and my guess is that Inner Peace would be a bit different for everyone.  This is my top 10 Signs of Inner Peace, it’s just a list and I know I can never have full serenity in my life but here are some ideas I desire:

What I Hope to Share & My Goals

My journey has allowed me to learn about the 12 steps of recovery and now I'm trying to Live the Steps. This is a life long journey without a destination, only growth spiritually, mentally, emotionally and physically.

Sharing my journey of healing
I will share what I have learned about:
1. Recovery - living the 12 steps, just for today
2. Mindfulness and meditation
3. Living with Chronic Pain - suffering is optional
4. PTSD and Anxiety - I have reclaimed my life
I hope that this will become a conversation, that my posts will just be a starting point.

My main goals
1. To live in the solution
2. Stay positive
3. To have an attitude of gratitude
4. Keep my life centered around my Higher Power
5. To love and learn from the people put in my journey

I learn the most in my trials and mistakes...that's my life. Please feel free to comment on anything in this blog. It is through dialogue that I learn and remain teachable.