The material presented
here is not Al-Anon Conference Approved Literature. It is a method
to exchange
information, ideas, feelings, problems and solutions on a personal
level.
Well, I took your advice, friends, and I went to a Face to Face meeting. I have been home a few hours from it, and am still amazed at one little thing that was said, that struck me deeply. It was a super small meeting, because I live in a pretty small community, but I heard something I just have to share:
We were speaking of detachment, and a very sweet old man said that his kids were A's. He spoke of the chaos and pain... and finally said "God, these are your children, and I give them to you".
It was incredibly powerful, mainly because I am not even sure what my feelings about God are, but his feelings were so genuine, so raw, so humble and so honest, that it affected me in such a profound way.
All of the sudden it felt like there is hope! This man truly has accepted that he is powerless over his kids alcoholism, and has come to realize peace within himself. Because of his faith, he is able to let go and ask God to take over.
Geeze, it just does not get much more healthy than that, does it?
So glad you made it to a face to face meeting. I was scared at first to go too, and was very hopeful as I began to attend and see the program in action in others!
Whenever I begin to feel a loss of hope, I am now armed with tools. Practice of the steps and program remind me always that I am not alone.
What a great experience for you, and no matter what your feelings are about God, you got to see the faith in a HP of another in action.
Thanks for sharing and make it a great day!
__________________
Practice the PAUSE...Pause before judging. Pause before assuming. Pause before accusing. Pause whenever you are about to react harshly and you will avoid doing and saying things you will later regret. ~~~~ Lori Deschene
One of the things said, was to take what you like.
The group was very small, and everyone there seemed really super religious. There was quite a lot of talk about God, and I am not exactly there.
So at this point in my journey, that is not something I am "taking".
But it sure is cool to see how it works for other people, and to recognize that when other people opened themselves to change, they had positive results.
Saucy I loved the experience you shared. It is so much like my own early experiences. One of the examples of your own faith is that you went with encouragement by others who knew what might happen because it happened for us also. I was reluctant to enter the program myself because it was at the "College Church of Christ"...just the location and not the religious organization...I had experiences as you shared here and I stayed and got my life back. Bless that older man and his share. Thank him if you will at the next meeting or when you see him again. "Take what you like and leave the rest" became a grace statement for me that I didn't and wouldn't have to feel forced to get anything at all at anyone time...that I could learn over time and in my own choices. The closing of the meeting suggest, "If you keep an open mind you will find help"...seems like that was your condition...open mindedness. Hold on to that tool cause much more is coming. YAY for Saucy!! ((((hugs))))
-- Edited by Jerry F on Sunday 24th of May 2015 11:50:04 PM
Hey, if I learn ONE small thing every time I walk in, I am better for it.
My other option is to choose not to grow, and who wants that?
It was nice to find out that other people are there because they want to help and be helped.
Just in the few days I have been on this board, I feel better. I was so angry when I first came here, so mad at my AH. Ugh, I can not keep that up, I have to learn to let go of the anger, and it is not easy for this stubborn Dutch girl! But I am committed to learning.
I am like you in that there are some things I don't quite get and probably never will but I have suspended my judgment in order to take the main messages and overall I have found Al-Anon very helpful.
I was also angry about a lot of things when I came and have been able to let go of a lot of that.
The best part of Al-Anon is the people and sharing with them, knowing that you will be understood, there are just some things I don't want to talk about with my family and friends.
