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.
Today's reading talks about real acceptance of being powerless. This concept is brought to us by Al-Anon recovery yet reaches beyond the Alcohol or the Alcoholic(s) in our lives. The writers shares about sleepless nights and the tossing/turning/fretting over lack of sleep. After bringing the issue forward in a meeting, another member suggested they found help with their sleep issues by admitting powerlessness over sleep! While applying this principle to this issue, both the writer and the one who shared felt that their still was 'good' in the issue - they were too tired to get into trouble.
Obsessing over the alcoholic and their actions was replaced with concern over sleep and self. While we may not always get what we want, we often do get exactly what we need!
Today's Reminder --- My Higher Power's gifts sometimes take unusual forms. Perhaps something I regard as a problem is really a form of assistance.
Today's Quote --- "Nothing is either good or bad. It's thinking that makes it so." William Shakespeare
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I love the quote for today as it's just so, so true. Before recovery, I felt and thought that all things 'different than I wanted/needed' were bad. It was not even with malice or selfish intent, I truly just thought I knew best for those I live with and love.
It took practicing the program to realize many times, when I am concerned about a person, place or thing - My HP does do what is needed. Over and over again, while practicing a spiritual life, I've come to realize that what is is just that - it is 'life'. It's not good, bad, personal or unfair - it just is. How I manage and deal with it is what matters most.
I am grateful we have tools we can use to change our thinking when/as needed. I am grateful for a power greater than me who has a master plan. I am grateful for imperfect people I can accept and love and I am grateful for all of you. Happy Friday - make it a great day!
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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
This daily hits home for me, b/c in my household, I was "the fixer," the "manager." It was not a role that I came to love, rather, a role that I began to despise. Even though I thought I knew what was best for my son, my AH etc. After my husband's last rehab stay, I thought I had got a handle on myself (yes, I "did" Al-Anon back then too). But in those 3 years since (he being clean) and the 3 more years of him using alcohol, I had managed to drop right back into my role.
Thankfully, I have again embraced my journey in healing, and it has made my relationship with my 17 year-old son so much better! I am allowing him to take ownership of his stuff... whether that be school studies, college prep, behaviors, you name it. I am hoping that I am allowing him to become an independent adult. Each day is a process... sometimes I forget that I am powerless... but I am quickly reminded by my AH! LOL! Right now I am practicing "Say what you mean, mean what you say, and don't say it mean." This seems to be much easier with a healthy brain (son) than an addicted brain (AH), but I am still trying!
In dealing with an addicted husband, I found that truly embracing powerlessness was the key for me to quit trying to manage his behavior.
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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
Pnp so lovely to hear from you!
I hope that one day I will be as happy as you sound right now.
I am powerless over alcohol. And over the alcoholic in my life. I am accepting that more and more. His mum isn't in al-anon and still thinks I should try. I am however struggling with sleep. I wish I could sleep by admitting powerlessness over sleep! One step at a time.
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"To change the world, start with one step. However small, first step is hardest of all" Dave Matthews Band
Thank you for your service and sharing. Timely reminder. There are so many things I stress out about and my mind is constantly turning details over to an extent that my waking thoughts and dozing thoughts obsessively follow this pattern and sleep is my only release. I am like this in all matters which are important to me, and it is a learned behaviour from being affected by alcoholism. It does of course stem from a sense of powerlessness and the reaction of control through analysis and strategy. Sometimes this is an effective and highly prized characteristic in the working world, but the toll it takes at a personal level is not worth it if it isn't balanced with the acceptance of alanon teachings. The spiritual aspect of the programme is critical for me, because part of acceptance is letting go. I learned here to " take the action and let go of the results ". This is acceptance to me. And I am OK with it, provided I don't forget it.
Thank you for this lovely reminder today and wishing you a wonderful day.
Hello IAH I am back from camping and had a lovely time. I do appreciate your service and am very supportive of this reading in C2C
I Never understood the power of "Acceptance" until I hit the wall and finally knew that I was powerless over this disease as well as others. It was very freeing to let go and let God as I never saw how I had entwined my life and joy around how others acted until I worked the Steps and kept coming back. It was gift to know I could treat everyone with courtesy and respect and let them live their lives as they saw fit.
Welcome back Betty - so glad you had a lovely time! We have 'the return of summer here' so some warmer than preferred temperatures! Hope you have a grand 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
