Today's reading is about the value of Al-anon tools for finding solutions. In this reading, an Al-anon member attends an Al-anon meeting where members are asked to draw an Al-anon slogan from a basket that is passed and apply that slogan to their day. The next day the member is faced with a problem that baffles them. They remember reaching into the meeting basket for a slogan. They apply it to their current situation. Their thinking becomes clearer, solutions arise. They feel they've gotten what they need.

I have really grown to love our Al-anon slogans. I once thought they were silly. While in crisis I wondered how reciting them could possibly help. Growing my understanding about the meaning of our slogans by working a program of recovery has helped to see how our slogans can be applied and answers can be found to problems. I've learned that simply saying a slogan is not enough. Listening to other members at meetings and reading pages of our conference approved literature that show real life examples of how others in the program apply a particular slogan helps me to see that I, too can try to use that same slogan in a similar way and perhaps have a positive outcome too. Listen and Learn is what I applied.

Thanks TT for your reading and share. Early in program Betty gave me a daily homework, which was in 3 parts. One part was to pick a slogan and think about it and/or try to use it. I also thought the slogans were silly, but I have gained great respect for how they help me in my recovery. And fellowship is very important --to hear the ESH of others, both in meetings and other exchanges like MIP. I miss the many ideas which used to happen here. One day at a time....