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Post Info TOPIC: Courage to Change (C2C) 4/20/17


~*Service Worker*~

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Courage to Change (C2C) 4/20/17


Today's reading is about the gift from working the program to be ourselves - warts and all!  The writer discusses her lack of smiling because of dental concerns.  Years of humiliating criticisms from alcoholic relatives had the writer believing what she was hearing, and she rarely smiled/grinned - instead holding back because of her dental concerns.

In recovery, she learned that nobody found her unworthy because of her smile.  She discovered she could come out of hiding in Al-Anon and is even free to break into a grin!  We learn that sharing in a safe environment is the key to healing!

Today's reminder ---  Even when I feel ashamed, someone in the fellowship can help me see my situation in a different light.  With their help, if I'm willing to permit it, the truth will set me free.

Today's Quote ---  From August Wilson --- "You get to the point where your demons, which are terrifying, get smaller and smaller and you get bigger and bigger."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

When I arrived, I was drowning in shame, guilt and distorted thinking patterns.  I suspect I rarely made eye contact, let alone smiled.  I was super sad, super mad and super serious.  When I saw others with bright eyes sharing from their heart, it spoke to me even when I didn't want to be 'there'.  That lovely open, honest exchange among members helped me to find my own hope in recovery.  Simple gestures made me fee safe - safe enough to ask for help.

In time, I too began to share.  I did my best to speak from my heart about me, my feelings, my thoughts and my actions as my group is very intent in focusing on self vs. qualifiers.  What I came to understand in following the principles of this program is that I am truly free to be an imperfect me no matter what anyone else is doing/saying or not.  I have a Higher Power, God, who knows my strengths and defects and will guide me always if I let him.  He does not want me to be anything but Happy, Joyous and Free - and my secrets keep me sick and stuck on my journey.

Grateful to be here and for all of you!  I had my little people spend the night so I'm a bit behind for my day - but in a great way!  (((Hugs)))



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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

 

 



~*Service Worker*~

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Thank you IAH. I appreciate your sharing on this important reading. I am always amazed at how being Honest, Open and Willing in a a safe place, helped me to release my demons and increase my appreciation of the goodness in the world. Thanks for your service and please do have a lovely day


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Betty

THE HIGHEST FORM OF WISDOM IS KINDNESS

Talmud
2HP


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I love the reading (with my own page highlighted and underlined) and your share IAM, about being imperfect, which makes me feel I am in the right place... that if you're still not "all there" it is safe and okay for me to still not be "all there." As the reading mentions, this builds trust in a fellowship. I don't have to feel ashamed for being unable to write in past tense because just for today, I am still imperfect, still not graduated, and still affected by the disease of alcoholism.... and yet "acceptable as-is."

THAT is the great freedom I have today. you show me that twelfth step work is more about sharing what I'm learning about myself (the only message we can carry) and the continuation of that practice. should anyone glean ANYTHING from that.... well, God is the Great do-er, not me. I am still powerless.

I also want to add that I have been to meetings where the laughter and antics were way over the top. we had newcomers sitting there devastated and sobbing and they were being told that they "will get there some day." The exuberance displayed was "over-excitement," and not recovery. I realize this is not what our reading today mentions, I do wish to point out that these members did not come back, understandably.

I feel grateful that my first home group listened to me with understanding and proved it by relating their experience (al-anon guidelines.) it was their "quiet calm" that kept me coming back, not their perfection, which I cannot relate to anyway.

so thank you! and have a beautiful day!




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~*Service Worker*~

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Thanks ladies for your ESH and your shares! Glad you're both a part of my journey!

__________________

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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"You get to the point where your demons, which are terrifying, get smaller and smaller and you get bigger and bigger." you know .. just sitting here realising the fear .. why i have it and remembering another thought that i also have it because i haven't let go etc ... good reason for fear .. but if i can begin small .. it's another small step of victory inside me .. need to give this some serious thought .. even if my sharing begins online .. building courage oye .. thanks for sharing this ..



-- Edited by MeTwo2 on Thursday 20th of April 2017 07:20:04 PM

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