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Post Info TOPIC: Courage to Change (C2C) 9/22/16


~*Service Worker*~

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Courage to Change (C2C) 9/22/16


Today's reading talks about how the 5th step benefits us in growth, faith and our spiritually journey.  So often, the one sharing is concerned and fearful of this step but does find relief in trusting HP, the listening member as well as freedom from the bondage of the kept secrets.

Often we don't realize that it's not just the one sharing who grows and benefits from working this and other steps with trusted program sponsor/other.  No matter if you are the speaker or the listener for this step, we open ourselves up to be channels for our Higher Power to speak through us and to others.  We often hear something that sheds light on our own situation and/or we see that we have more in common with others - experiences, emotions or beyond.

Today's Reminder -- When I respond to a request for help with working the Al-Anon program, I help myself as well.

Today's Quote is from In All Our Affairs --- "There is no better way to keep our spiritual benefits than by giving them away with love, free of expectations, and with no strings attached."

~~~~~

H-O-W - three letters that I refer to in my mind often.  Honesty, Open-mindedness, Willingness.  All of the steps require these three elements for my program to work for my spiritual journey.  When I go through the motions of working these steps and don't practice full honesty - I miss out.  Same applies to the O and the W for my growth.  I have found that whether I am the speaker or the listener, I make sure to invite my HP to the discussion.  Countless times when working the steps, I have truly felt as if the words shared were HP-provided.  I am continuously amazed and humbled by the power of this step in changing lives.

Being a listener for the 5th step has helped me be a better listener.  It's helped me realize that we are all imperfect humans in an imperfect world doing the best we can to get by.  Before the program and steps, I felt I was surviving.  After applying the program to my life and working the steps, I now feel I am thriving most of the time.

This is a great reading for anyone getting ready to do the 5th Step.  Make it a great day MIP family!!!

 



__________________

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

 

 



~*Service Worker*~

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I agree IAH This is a powerful reading that does confirm the benefits of working Step 5 .

I must admit my first Step 5 was not as "Honest" as it could have been because my denial was huge. I was however able to share what I could and trust that it is progress not perfection that I was aiming for and that at some future time more would be revealed and it was.

Since this is a fellowship of equals, admitting my defects to another helped me to begin to trust myself and this recovery process.
Thanks for your service.

__________________
Betty

THE HIGHEST FORM OF WISDOM IS KINDNESS

Talmud


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I agree ,thank you Iamhere for your service and such great reading today,I am fixing to be going into step 5, this was very helpful....hugs to all,lu

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Do the next right thing~

ONE DAY AT A TIME!

 

 



~*Service Worker*~

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Hey Betty & LU - thanks for the feedback and added ESH about this reading. Betty - I hear you on the 'honesty' with my first and probably my second and more....

For Step 5, this was where, "More Will be Revealed" truly applied in my program. I did not intentionally ever withhold anything yet with each pass through the steps, and more self-seeking, I found new things that should have been covered before but never were - they just were not yet revealed.

On a lighter note, after 25 years in the other side of the program, while doing step work, it came to me for the first time EVER that my first 2 serious boyfriends were both bartenders. I had almost blocked out the first one completely for years as it was a bad relationship. However, the 2nd was pure torture, with extensive physical abuse, infidelity, homelessness, guns, etc. It was so bad and haunted me so much for a long while that I hadn't even recalled the first. And then when I was considered that one, the realization that both had been bartenders and I am a drunk was humorous to me.....clearly I was more damaged than I even knew and more was revealed when I was ready for it.



__________________

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

 

 



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IAH I have found that that is how HP works . When I am ready more will be revealed.
I had a lovely experience this week while visiting my sister..
Quick back story , i always thought that I had abandoned my FOO during the years that I was coping with the insanity of alcoholism. I made my amends and moved on.
My sister saves everything and since she is now clearing out her files, she prsented me with several letters and cards that I had sent years ago. Thye were simple notes updating her on what was gging on, promising to visit as well as letters from my mom telling her how happy she was that I had visited or called.

This was a light bulb moment for me , I have a negative memory and remember all the things I did not do and have difficulty remembering the positive. Thanks to HP I anow feel better about those years. and am glad that I continue to do my asset and gratitude list.

__________________
Betty

THE HIGHEST FORM OF WISDOM IS KINDNESS

Talmud


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hotrod that made me smile. A gift from your hp via your sister. Thanks for sharing that. It helps to know we are not alone ever. When we sometimes start thinking we are the evidence is all around that proves different.



-- Edited by serenity47 on Thursday 22nd of September 2016 03:06:41 PM

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~*Service Worker*~

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Great share Betty - how simply wonderful is that gift you received? That's so funny that your sister is a 'keeper'....I am too! My mother is a pitcher and I'm a packrat actually - she doesn't understand how I am how I am and I just smile.

It is through this simple reveals and reflection that not only do I see that I was doing my best in times of turmoil so did those I love who struggle with this disease. Accepting me and others exactly as they are in this moment and not wanting or anything different is so liberating!

__________________

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

 

 

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