KristinesMom's Journal

Coping mantras from Alanon Mood

Wednesday, December 12, 2007

THIS IS ACTUALLY A POST I MADE OF THINGS I USE TO COPE. HOPE IT HELPS SOMEONE.

About 20 years ago, I was a young wife and mother, married to a wonderful guy who was also a cocaine addict. I started to attend Alanon meetings for a year or two, and found many of the things I learned there could be applied to many of lifes challenges, not just dealing with substance abuse, and especially being a supportive spouse or parent to someone with BP.

Something about the responses to the post about our BPs moods effecting ours, esp. jndoe response, really got me to thinking I would share this info with you guys.

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We did not Cause it. We cannot Cure it. We cannot Control it. but, we can Care. (*it* in our case being Bipolar Disorder/Mental Illness*)

Insanity: doing the same thing over and over and expecting different results.

If you do what you always did, you'll get what you always got.

HALT: Don't get too Hungry, Angry, Lonely, Tired.

Fear = False Evidence Appearing Real

Courage is Fear that has said it's prayers.

Serenity isn't freedom from the storm; it is peace within the storm.

"This too shall pass" (you will get through this, like all other difficulties you have faced in the past.)

"Live and Let Live"

"Let Go and Let God" (realize you cannot control everything, stop feeling responsible for every outcome, only God is that powerful)

"First Things First" (prioritize)

"Easy Does It"

"One Day at a Time" (or one hour, or one minute)

"Together We Can Make It"

"How Important is it?" (dont sweat the little things)

"Keep it Simple"

"Keep an Open Mind"

And of course, the Serenity Prayer:

God, grant me the
Serenity to accept the things I can not change.
Courage to change the things I can and
Wisdom to know the difference.

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Hug Krist...

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Comments

Thank you for this post. It is good to be reminded of things you have heard before, but have forgotten to put into practice.

MaMaJoanne
Fantastic post.. thanks for writing it out for us.

hablur
Thank you, I'm going to print this out and post it in my cube.
Sue

Milesbackwards
Thank-you, thank-you, thank-you! I needed to hear these words of encouragement. God Bless:0)

bb4
I like that. I cant tell how many times I have said the serinty prayer and I dont even belong a to a 12 step group but i know that when im out in public dealing with my son people have heard me say it a few times.

Taja954
thank you for sharing this.. several i already knew.. but the one about fear, really makes a girl think

Fear = False Evidence Appearing Real

Courage is Fear that has said it's prayers.

svdbylove
thanks for sharing these... :)

Serenity72
thank you for sending me here..i'm copying it & keeping it close to me to remind me of these simple coping skills.

newtomania
I will pass this on to my friends who do not have computers. I really hope there was a "in person" group therapy for parents/family members who's loved ones have bi-polar. Whoever out there knows a place in New York City, or Brooklyn, N.Y. - please email me. Thank you all & Happy Mother's Day. DoNot4Get - Ellie

Donot4get