A Positive Attitude "That old nest of negativism followed me everywhere I went." Basic Text, page 135
A negative attitude is the trademark of active addiction. Everything that occurred in our lives was someone or something else's fault. We had blaming others for our shortcomings down to a fine science. In recovery, one of the first things we strive to develop is a new attitude. We find that life goes a lot easier when we replace our negative thinking with positive principles.
While a negative attitude dogged us in our active addiction, all too often it can follow us into the rooms of Narcotics Anonymous. How can we begin to adjust our attitudes? By altering our actions. It isn't easy, but it can be done.
We can start by listening to the way we talk. Before we open our mouths, we ask ourselves some simple questions: Does what I'm going to say speak to the problem, or the solution? Is what I'm going to say framed in a kind manner? Is what I have to say important, or would everyone be just as well off if I kept my mouth shut? Am I talking just to hear myself talk, or is there some purpose to my "words of wisdom?"
Our attitudes are expressed in our actions. Often, it's not what we say, but the way we say it, that really matters. As we learn to speak in a more positive manner, we will notice our attitudes improving as well.
Just for today: I want to be free of negativity. Today, I will speak and act positively. Page 200
amen brother. For the second year in a row, I set a goal around removing negative thoughts and words from my head. It's hard to do. It's easy to get a ****y attitude. The world and the people in it are far from perfect and it's easy to go around playing "what's wrong with this picture". We think we're smart when we're doing it, but in reality we're just making ourselves and those around us miseable.
I heard it explained well one time. When someone visits a great city, like Chicago, they can chose to marvel at the beauty this is the skyline or focus on the pigeon crap on the sidewalk. It' all about what you care to look at. If we walk around saying this sucks and that sucks, what happens when we look in the mirror?.
When you wake up in the morning, think about how each day is a gift right after you take your first breath, and say
"Every day is holiday, and every meal is a feast". To the rest just say "it is what it is" and move on.
Tahir said something the other day that made a lot of sense, "Respond rather then react".
Thanks for sharing that Dean wise observations put into action.
Me I have always been a reactor nuclear at times UGH but i'm learning. I hate causing others pain and I hate causing myself pain so things had to change and for the good of all mankind I might add LOL...
I find myself singing a lot these days, I just got in from a harrowing day at work getting this interior house painted I set a goal for the day and once I reached it we were done for this day, my back started aching from spraying huge 14 foot ceilings, my helper was doing half baked worked prepping ahead of me all sorts of discomfort and I started yelling but instead of being serious I made a joke out of it all I think I was sorta high from some primer I sprayed earlier maybe LOL but I just told myself not to get upset, its already hot we already have 2 days more work ahead of us on this project and hell the moneys not to bad , now I can rest and not feel any guilt.
So we change the trademark from a negative life and thinking and acting into something positive and good and very refreshing most days.
Glad to be here. One more thing that I experienced and it's kind of a blessing. You know that we're all whiners to some extent or another, and one day (several really lol) I just got sick of hearing my own self bitching. I mean I was beside myself looking back and thinking "gawd that guy is an @$$hole. Ever since then I've been keenly aware when I'm complaining, the facial gestures of those around me like "here he goes again, I wish that I were somewhere else...". Then I'll make the quick 10th step amends and say "sorry I guess my expectations need more work, didn't mean to bring you down". I'm happy to say that I am able to think about what I'm going to say and think better of it a good deal of the time now. The reality is that when we complain about something, there is a good chance that someone's feelings are going to get a jab, and for what, so that I can feel like I'm smart or something.
One of the most important things I learnt in recovery is to Step away. Which means when negativism creeps up,, I have no will power to stop it etc. What I really need to do is admit powerlessness over negativism and them move away from it. I have kept my Serenity because of this.
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Raman an addict clean and serene just for today in NA Worldwide ; live to love and love to live the NA Way !!!
