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.
The C2C reading for August 27 speaks about our expectations upon entering our first Al-Anon meeting .. The reading suggests that most of us thought that we would be given tools to stop the alcoholic from drinking and were disappointed .Instead,It was suggested that we were powerless over alcohol as well as people places and things and that we needed to focus on ourselves in order to recover.We were then given the 12 steps as the recovery tool to embrace.
The reading suggests that by the second meeting. many of us we thought we had have those first three steps down pretty well. We understood we were powerless,we believed in God and were willing to dump all our problems on anyone .
We did not realize however that when we are dealing with alcoholism without the help of Al-Anon, we developed coping skills that were destructive to our own self-esteem and self-worth. H These are no longer enough. Al-Anon is teaching us a new and better set of skills .We must try to be patient with ourselves in this learning process .
the quote is from Seneca; "as long as you live keep . Learning how to live."
I must confess that I thought I knew it all--had all the answers didn't have to learn how to live nor did I have to keep learning . How wrong I was! Thanks to Al-Anon's simple suggestion of keeping an open mind, I found that each day is a new beginning and new wonders can be discovered every moment .
Thanks Betty for your service, the daily and your ESH. Yep - I am guilty as charged - I wanted the answers to fix my qualifiers. I was angry or sad that I had to work on me, and felt unable at times. Yet, because those who came before me were honest and open about the how to proceed, one day at a time, I was able to start and work this. I too felt I had all the answers, and I love how Jerry says that I found out I didn't know anything about what I didn't know....he says it better - but it's so true. Most of what I thought I knew was based on my warped thinking and distorted views - partially from living with the disease and partially my personal way of coping.
I still remember that the three C(s) struck me and allowed me to breathe deep for the first time in a long while. I didn't know it then, but do understand now - that was my HP nudging me towards the program and a better version of me. I am beyond grateful for the program, the fellowship, the steps, slogans and tools and the growing I've done and am open to continue doing.
Make it a great day Betty - and a better weekend!
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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
