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One Day at a Time in Al-Anon:

When I hear it said in an Al-Anon meeting that I can help myself, no matter how great my burdens and troubles are, I may think: “Easy to say, but you don’t know what I’m going through.”

Applying a little sensible realism to this, let me ask myself whether I’m not building up trifles into monstrosities that seem unbearable.

Most of us do, at some time or other. We may magnify disagreements about money for instance; we expand minor slights into huge grievances. Without realizing it, we’re looking for trouble and are ready to fasten on little things that we could easily pass over if we really wanted our own peace of mind.

Today’s Reminder:

If I don’t make big problems out of little ones, I can save myself much grief. Fighting for my “rights” often creates more difficulty than accepting less than I expect. If I really value my serenity, I will avoid making big issues out of trifles. Giving in and letting go becomes easier as I practice it, and it pays big dividends in inner satisfaction.

“Whensoever a man desires anything inordinately, he is presently disquieted within himself.” — Thomas A’Kempis

From the book “One Day at a Time in Al-Anon”. © Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc. 1973