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 ODA T reading June 17 speaks about the Third Step. It points out that when we arrive at the Third Step, we gradually begin to see truths that we never realized possible. The Third Step challenges us to" make a decision", to let go and let God in our affairs. Step Three is a distillation of all the philosophers thoughts through the centuries. It is wise to accept this principle but very difficult to subordinate our will to God's will. This is a stumbling block for many of us.
We feel obliged to force our will on our problems and it is not possible to find a solution this way. We must remember this Step asks us to simply" make the decision".. We may not know how to turn our will over, but if we decide to learn how this is all we need to do.
The quote is again from Ralph Waldo Emerson; "there is guidance for each of us, and by lowly listening we shall hear the right word. Certainly there is a right for you that needs no choice.. Placing yourself in the middle of the stream of power and wisdom which flows into your life. Then, without effort, you are impelled to truth and to perfect contentment."
Love this reading as i simply points out that all we need to do is make a decision. I did this and then proceeded to attend meetings, read literature and work the remaining Steps. By the time I had arrived at Step 11 I found I had started to turn my will over each morning and understood the process.
Thank you Betty for your service and the daily! Happy Sunday and Father's Day to one and all....Your ESH is invaluable to me and my program so the top of my gratitude list for today includes you.....thank you, thank you and thank you again for being willing to always share with the rest of us.
I recall first looking at the Steps and believing deep down that the God of my upbringing had shame for me and would never bless me. I had fear of the steps, and fear of believing that a simple decision to rely on a power great than I could propel me forward to a different/better life.
As all of my efforts to date (my will) had resulted in mass chaos, I practiced what was suggested to me by others and the steps. I recall waking one day and feeling peace vs. the nagging ANTS in my mind. I was joyful for a quiet mind. It was in that instant that I really felt my only and best path forward was to set aside my ego, judgment, 'right-fighting' and will and try to align with one who truly has the big picture in front of them.
My belief in a higher power has changed and today I feel that even when I fall down, all I have to do is return to the basics - 1, 2, 3 - and a get a do-over. In fact, I get a do-over each day or at each moment of the day I need it as I now understand I am imperfect and that's perfectly OK.
I too do 1,2,3 each morning upon awakening. Grateful for those who shared with me that this is an awesome way to start my day, and I can start my day over anytime I need to! Who would have thought making a decision to get out of the way would be so freeing?
I'm off to a meeting, then softball, then more softball.....we finally have cooler weather after some big storms - it should arrive your way in a few days!
Make it a great Sunday!
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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
Thank you Betty, ditto...and IAH also for your tireless service and insightful shares of your journey(ies).
For a long time I struggled with the god concept, but worked through it until I found something that worked for me. Looking back though, the actual god concept was not nearly as important as just me getting out of me. The self direction, self will, self importance, all of it was a disaster for me that I carried and "shared" with others...
It is such an incredible relief to let go of the feeling that somehow I am responsible for others, in recovery or in health. When I keep the focus on me and check my will with my higher power, I am in such a better state...(nothing against KS!)
Good luck out there today IAH!
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Paul
"...when we try to control others, we lose the ability to manage our own lives." - Paths to Recovery
Thanks Betty . I was just thinking this morning I wanted to make a suggestion to my son about my spouse, and within minutes I heard my HP saying, leave it alone, and I can. I try to practice Step 3 and with this practice comes progress. I am grateful for program.
I also miss my father, who has been gone for over 30 years. So tonight my brother and I, with our spouses, are having a lovely dinner together. I look forward to it and it softens the day. Lemonade from lemons, also what Alanon teaches me. Lyne :)
Thank you for your service today, Betty! Happy Father's Day to those MIP fathers!
This is an amazing ODAT reading today!!! I have been struggling with Step 3, as I feel at odds with my HP at the moment. But everyday I get little reminders to Let Go and Let God. Case in point... I was watching Star Wars Episode 1 last night, and has anyone ever noticed how much the Jedi way sounds like Program? It kept blatantly sticking out as I went through the movie. Most everyone I know loves these stories. Many of my friends are fanatics. The characters I love the most are the Jedi. So isn't it interesting that I just happen to come upon this movie last night while clicking through the channels? Hmmmm, coincidence? Meesa think not! LOL!
One scene has young Obi-Wan and Qui-Gon talking about ways to get money for ship parts and Qui-Gon says (and I am paraphrasing here), "...alright, another solution will present itself." I mean, they are in dire need... in trouble... and he is just as calm as can be and basically says, "Let go and let God..." but in this case, God is The Force.
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"The wolf that thrives, is the one you feed." - Cherokee legend
"Hello, sun in my face. Hello you who made the morning and spread it over the fields... Watch, now, how I start the day in happiness, in kindness." Mary Oliver
Thank you Betty for your service and the reminder to "let go and let god". The program teaches us that what we've been doing isn't working, that we're powerless, step 3 gives us the opportunity to stop doing and to start being. When I became willing, I became open to the will of a power greater than me, I noticed coincidences in places where there were none before and I became conscious and present so not to miss HP's message and guidance. Happy Fathers Day to everyone:)
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- Carrie
Stress is caused by being 'here' but wanting to be 'there'. Eckhart Tolle
Thanks Betty.
I guess it's the first part of the steps that requires actually practicing having some faith...I was really surprised to realise I didn't have to "feel it" to do it...I was of the mindset that "well, the program has been working for me so far so I can do this as well and just trust that it's going to work" and it did, which just reinforced my belief in it. Tricky like that isn't it
Allowing myself to trust someone or something again was a huge deal and when it worked out as promised and things got better, it made me start to think maybe I could poke my head out from under the blanket and have faith that other things might go alright too...maybe it wasn't all doom and horror coming my way.
Yesterday I completed my latest round of exams and I can hardly believe how far I've gotten, because I just decided to have some faith in myself and my HP and keep chipping away without trying to force the outcome. Yay
