Today's Gift for Families - April 2014

[MajestyJo]

Tuesday, April 22, 2014

You are reading from the book Today's Gift

I meant to do my work today
But a brown bird sang in an apple tree,
And a butterfly flitted across the field,
And all the leaves were calling me.

—Richard LeGallienne

The harried hen scurried about her house, trying to put it in order. Some friends she hadn't seen for years were due to arrive later that day, and she wanted everything perfect for them. In a flurry, she made the bed, put away the dishes, and scrubbed the floor. Oh dear, she thought in dismay, I meant to wash the sheets today. Frantically, she flew back to the bedroom and tore the sheets from the made bed.

Just then, a neighbor arrived and stood at hen's door, watching her anxiously rush about. "Dear hen," he said in a patient loving tone, for he was quite fond of her, "You will never enjoy your visit if you continue to race about. Come. Sit and rest and tell me of these friends. Have you any snapshots?" The hen did as her neighbor had suggested, and soon her friends arrived to find her relaxed, refreshed, and warm with the memories of them.

What is my real work for the day?

For me, first things first, which is my sobriety. Sobriety to me is soundness of mind. I need to apply the Steps to all areas of my life. Being an alcoholic, addict, codependent, adult child of an alcoholic, but that doesn't define who I am. I am not my disease. I have to allow the program to work, and look at myself, instead of looking out to find something or someone to make me feel better.