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.
~~It's Friday the 13th - if you are superstitious, you might want to lay low, just for today!~~
Today's reading talks about the freedom we are given to seek out our own understanding of a higher power. We find that until we can think of a God in terms that mean something to us we may struggle to turn our life over to the care of him/her.
For many, our concept of God changes as we change and grow. Most of us find a higher power that aligns 'with' us and way better than we ever imagined. Al-Anon is a spiritual program, and no matter how we arrive, we are grounding in a life with purpose when we truly lean into the God of our understanding.
Today's reminder --- Once upon a time I was afraid to live life for myself. This was because I did not know how to do it and thought that there was no one to show me. Now I have a resource deep within me to guide me along life's many roads. I am not alone on my journey.
Today's quote --- "In the midst of winter, I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer." Albert Camus
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I came with a concept of God through organized religion. I felt he'd left me in the dust a long while ago as I had lived an unworthy life. I was almost the exact opposite of a spiritual being - I judged others, degraded others, was selfish, self-serving, applied my values in warped ways and treated me and others often less than human.
I was confused deeply as to how I get to define and choose a higher power. This was vastly different than what I had been raised with and a struggle for a while. During my beginnings while I was grounding myself in a new way of thinking, doing, acting and reacting, I used the group and my sponsor as a higher power.
As I grew and wanted different, my concepts and beliefs changed. I am grateful that I see my God today as within me, guiding me and shaping me. Until I was able to let go of ego and stop trying to be self-reliant, I was stunted. When I learned to trust God, seek God, rely on God, my life changed way more than expected.
Happy Friday all - we have weather headed in for the weekend and I've got a program friend coming over for tea this morning! Make your day a great one - (((Hugs))) to all!
__________________
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
Happy Friday the 13 th IAH. This is an interesting topic. I must share that when I entered alanon I was so angry with the God my childhood(I did not get everything I prayed for) that we were not on speaking terms. When I saw the spiritualconcept that that in program I could define my own HP, i decided to use the principles of program, the steps, slogans and and the meetings as my HP. I experienced the power of these tools and since they ceratinly proved to be able to direct my self will and guide me to a better way, they became my Higher Power .
As you noted, my concept of my HP has changed often during my time in program. Today i have an HP that is perfect, love, wisdom empathy, compassion and courage . I know when I turn my will over I may not get what I want but will be supported with the courage, sernity and wisdom that are necessary to face life on life's terms (not my terms) As alanon states: Changed attitudes do aid recovery and my attitudes toward HP have done so.
Love this page, thank you IAH and hotrod for sharing. I did not come to the program with a concept or even desire for god, but I was comforted by the freedom to come to my own understanding of what god meant when I was able and ready. In the meantime, there was so much growth and understanding for me to focus on in Steps 1 and 2...
As noted in the page and shares above, there is room in the program and within ourselves for evolution of the higher power/god concept, and I have benefitted greatly because of it. My hp concept has played a greater role as I have moved forward in my recovery. So grateful for the wisdom and flexibility of the program
__________________
Paul
"...when we try to control others, we lose the ability to manage our own lives." - Paths to Recovery
