In graditude of my 30 days of being sober I would like to share something with you.......
Letting Go of perfection August 10
As I journey through recovery, more and more I learn that accepting
myself and my idiosyncrasies - laughing at my-self for my ways -gets me a
lot further than picking on myself and trying to make myself perfect. Maybe
that's really what it's all about - absolute loving joyous, nurturing
self--acceptance.
- Anonymous
"Stop expecting perfection from yourself and those around you".
" We do a terrible, annoying thing to ourselves and others when we
expect perfection. We set up a situation where others, including ourselves,
do not feel comfortable with us. Sometimes, expecting perfection makes
people so uptight that they and we make more mistakes than normal because we
are so nervous and focused on mistakes.
That does not mean we allow inappropriate behaviors with the excuse
that "nobody's perfect." That doesn't mean we don't have boundaries and
reasonable expectations of peo-ple and ourselves.
But our expectations need to be reasonable. Expecting per-fection is
not reasonable.
People make mistakes. The less anxious, intimidated, and repressed
they are by expectations of being perfect, the better they will do.
Striving for excellence, purity in creativity, a harmonious
performance, and the best we have to offer does not happen in the stymied,
negative, fear-producing atmosphere of expecting perfection.
Have and set boundaries. Have reasonable expectations. Strive to do
your best. Encourage others to do the same. But know that we and others will
make mistakes. Know that we and others will have learning experiences,
things we go through.
Sometimes, the flaws and imperfections in ourselves determine our
uniqueness, the way they do in a piece of art. Relish them. Laugh at them.
Embrace them, and ourselves.
Encourage others and ourselves to do the best we can. Love and
nurture ourselves and others for being who we are. Then realize we are not
merely human - we were intended and created to be human.
Today, God, help me let go of my need to be perfect and to
un-reasonably insist that others are perfect. I will not use this to
tolerate abuse or mistreatment, but to achieve appropriate, balanced
expec-tations. I am creating a healthy atmosphere of love, acceptance, and
nurturing around and within me. I trust that this attitude will bring out
the best in other people and in me "
Again, I would like to thank everyone who has been so inspirational to me with my recovery......God Bless, Russell
My hearty congratulations to you!!
Thanks for the "truism" of life message. We sometimes (if not often) forget that fact of life. Best of luck in the future to you!
Thanks for the "truism" of life message. We sometimes (if not often) forget that fact of life. Best of luck in the future to you!
Good Morning Rus,
I worte it before and I will again...I AM SOOOOO PROUD OF YOU! How does 30 days feel? Even though I will have to start my fight over, I remember coming off of the percocet and not even being able to look past a minute or an hour. To fathom a DAY was too hard and you have completed 30 days...THANK GOD!
As I have been reading some posts, I have noticed people so down on themselves and really, why wouldnt they be, their bodies and minds are going through an extremely difficult time that only another addict could truelly understand. However, in my thoughts I have reached some clarity. Call me slow, call me stupid..it took awhile to see this for myself. :-) Recovery is about loving yourself. What a revelation huh? However, it has touched my heart that I FINALLY realize this. I LOVE MYSELF!
You have done a terrific job. Have the days gotten easier? I certainly hope so. Have a great day, you deserve it. Even though we cant all be together, I am sure all of our friends will be celebrating with you silently. You did it!
God Bless
Christy
I worte it before and I will again...I AM SOOOOO PROUD OF YOU! How does 30 days feel? Even though I will have to start my fight over, I remember coming off of the percocet and not even being able to look past a minute or an hour. To fathom a DAY was too hard and you have completed 30 days...THANK GOD!
As I have been reading some posts, I have noticed people so down on themselves and really, why wouldnt they be, their bodies and minds are going through an extremely difficult time that only another addict could truelly understand. However, in my thoughts I have reached some clarity. Call me slow, call me stupid..it took awhile to see this for myself. :-) Recovery is about loving yourself. What a revelation huh? However, it has touched my heart that I FINALLY realize this. I LOVE MYSELF!
You have done a terrific job. Have the days gotten easier? I certainly hope so. Have a great day, you deserve it. Even though we cant all be together, I am sure all of our friends will be celebrating with you silently. You did it!
God Bless
Christy
Russ, way to go on thirty days--it is a tremendous milestone! Start collecting those colored chips or key chains today!
August
August
Russ well done hun big congrats jackie xxx
it does feel good. this is day 26 for me. you have inspired us all.
congrads.
brian
congrads.
brian
A Big Big Hug for you Russell. I am so happy for you. 30 Days...what a great start to a new way of life. Hang in there and go on and on.....
lots of love
shay
Hey Russell.....
I an so happy for you. 30 days that's GREAT!! Congratulations. Loved your post. Thanks for the encouragement Russell, like I've said before you are truly and inspiration.
I hope to be following the Russell Path soon!!!!!
God Bless You Russell, you're a great person.
Love,
Marie
I an so happy for you. 30 days that's GREAT!! Congratulations. Loved your post. Thanks for the encouragement Russell, like I've said before you are truly and inspiration.
I hope to be following the Russell Path soon!!!!!
God Bless You Russell, you're a great person.
Love,
Marie
Rus,
My brother, my friend. I truely love you! I am super proud of you! I got the clean date wrong on the other board, I thought it was the 11th, so I am sooooo sorry. I will get that fixed, and get your post made! I am amazed at how far you have come, and I love the way you hold yourself so high. You keep up the good work, and don't forget to answer the questions for the NA Challenge,... hehe. I know that there are a ton this week, but look at you. You just made it 30 days, you can make it through 10 questions too.
This is a huge milestone Rus, and you will be amazed at how fast time flies with recovery, and the fact that you are clear headed to see it as well. Smile, and stay shine bright. You are a star! I love you bro, and God Bless You!
Huggles
Lady M
My brother, my friend. I truely love you! I am super proud of you! I got the clean date wrong on the other board, I thought it was the 11th, so I am sooooo sorry. I will get that fixed, and get your post made! I am amazed at how far you have come, and I love the way you hold yourself so high. You keep up the good work, and don't forget to answer the questions for the NA Challenge,... hehe. I know that there are a ton this week, but look at you. You just made it 30 days, you can make it through 10 questions too.
This is a huge milestone Rus, and you will be amazed at how fast time flies with recovery, and the fact that you are clear headed to see it as well. Smile, and stay shine bright. You are a star! I love you bro, and God Bless You!
Huggles
Lady M
Rus,
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!You are truly an inspiration and an angel to me. You are great, and I'm so proud of you, I know it hasn't been easy for you. Keep it up.
Love,
Roseanne
xoxoxox
CONGRATULATIONS!!!!!!!!You are truly an inspiration and an angel to me. You are great, and I'm so proud of you, I know it hasn't been easy for you. Keep it up.
Love,
Roseanne
xoxoxox
Congratulations, big guy. I'm so proud of you, now how about 30 more. You up for it?
sharon
sharon
Hey you guys!
Thank you so much for the kind words and loving thoughts.........Yes it has been a tough road at times these past 30 days but with the love and inspiration of my recovery friends I have made that road a bit smoother......Tonight I took an hour break for dinner at work and went to an NA meeting and recieved my 30 day key ring.........It is just a piece of plastic and it probably does not cost all that much BUT to me it's value is priceless........My graditude to all of you for your continued support has touched my heart more than you will ever know......
God Bless all of you.........Russell
PS> Sharon........I am certainly up for another 30 days <wink>
Thank you so much for the kind words and loving thoughts.........Yes it has been a tough road at times these past 30 days but with the love and inspiration of my recovery friends I have made that road a bit smoother......Tonight I took an hour break for dinner at work and went to an NA meeting and recieved my 30 day key ring.........It is just a piece of plastic and it probably does not cost all that much BUT to me it's value is priceless........My graditude to all of you for your continued support has touched my heart more than you will ever know......
God Bless all of you.........Russell
PS> Sharon........I am certainly up for another 30 days <wink>
Rus,
I think its safe to say that I speak for all of us when I say you'll always have our continued support. That piece of plastic is like winning and olympic gold metal! You deserve it.....
Love and hugs to you my friend,
Roseanne
I think its safe to say that I speak for all of us when I say you'll always have our continued support. That piece of plastic is like winning and olympic gold metal! You deserve it.....
Love and hugs to you my friend,
Roseanne
Dear Roseanne.........
You are right....it does feel like a gold medal :) I will be on the other site if you want to chat.......
God Bless, Russell
You are right....it does feel like a gold medal :) I will be on the other site if you want to chat.......
God Bless, Russell
GOOD FOR YOU!!!! That's awesome. I pray you will hang in there and keep it up. I am so happy for you, you can do it...
Leighann
Leighann
Russ:
I just wanted to say congratulations my friend and how truly lucky we all are that you found this board. You are an inspiration. You are a very positive light that shines. I enjoy your posts so much.
rach
I just wanted to say congratulations my friend and how truly lucky we all are that you found this board. You are an inspiration. You are a very positive light that shines. I enjoy your posts so much.
rach
Russell,
I wanted to let you know you are in my thoughts, as I have been reading all of your posts. I'm so happy for you. Over one month... thats so awsome. I bet you are feeling so good about yourself.
As for myself, I havent had anything since Monday early a.m. (percocet) and I'm hanging in there. I cant say that I feel wonderful - that would be a lie. I have been feeling (flu-like) chills - I live in FL so my kids think I'm nuts walking around the house with a sweater on!!LOL But its something I know I have to do for myself and my family.
Just wanted to say hi and let you know that all of your posts on this board have been such and inspiration to me.
Hopefully I will be able to use my PC after this afternoon - we have a hurricane headed our way!!!
lots of love,
Marie
I wanted to let you know you are in my thoughts, as I have been reading all of your posts. I'm so happy for you. Over one month... thats so awsome. I bet you are feeling so good about yourself.
As for myself, I havent had anything since Monday early a.m. (percocet) and I'm hanging in there. I cant say that I feel wonderful - that would be a lie. I have been feeling (flu-like) chills - I live in FL so my kids think I'm nuts walking around the house with a sweater on!!LOL But its something I know I have to do for myself and my family.
Just wanted to say hi and let you know that all of your posts on this board have been such and inspiration to me.
Hopefully I will be able to use my PC after this afternoon - we have a hurricane headed our way!!!
lots of love,
Marie
Dear Leighann and Rachel......
Thank you so much for taking the time to post to my thread........Your kind words have really touched me. It is people like you that have made my life even more blessed than I realized.........
Big Hugs........Russell
Thank you so much for taking the time to post to my thread........Your kind words have really touched me. It is people like you that have made my life even more blessed than I realized.........
Big Hugs........Russell
Just checking in.........It has been a very busy week for me and I just wanted to say hello to all of you.........I noticed many new faces here and I hope that you continue to come to this site......It is a great place for inspiration and encouragment.
God Bless, Russell
God Bless, Russell
Hey Russell,
Your writing is truly beautiful, it really hit home to me.
Congrats on 30 days, that is an awesome achievement.
C
Your writing is truly beautiful, it really hit home to me.
Congrats on 30 days, that is an awesome achievement.
C
