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.
Being in Al-Anon has taught me a lot about faith. I have learned to rely on my HP to guide me, and to lead me in this life down the path that was set out before me. The path has been slowly appearing for me out of the fog of daily drama. And as I continue to walk it, I have been facing roadblocks. Some knock me down and move me back, while others have helped me to build character, strength and mental stability. I am trying hard not to worry right now, or to project, there are 2 very specific paths that are open right now and I do not know which one to take for certain. They both offer their hardships and rewards. One would mean moving far from home and putting education on hold, while the other could mean difficulty entering into my career. I am doing the footwork with them both right now because I know that my HP whom I call God; knows exactly what path I will go down and I am praying for the strength to overcome the adversities that will face me down either road. I am truly grateful to the program for teaching me how to just live my life, not sweat the small stuff and follow my heart.
Very familiar name to me as it is also the name of my eldest son. Good name and he is a good person also. Good about not projecting...that one works for me also. What works best for me is to filter what I am facing or moving toward thru the Serenity Prayer and thru what I know is my HPs will. HPs will for me is not what I choose to do for a living or avocation or anything else. HPs will is about how and why I do it. HP knows that I am able and have the capacity to do just about anything I imagine (cause that is how HP put me together) and I have done lots of things. How I did them and why was always my HPs concern. When I was self serving HP patiently waited until I started serving others with unconditional love, compassion, understanding, loyalty and humility and all the other HP characteristics. There are always road blocks and stumbling blocks and then what is this program without tests?
Don't sweat the small stuff...your clothes just get damp and you get kinda smelly. (just a little on the light side)
Jason, I too, like Jerry F., have a special connection to your name, for it was my father's name. My father was a very wise man, one of those who spoke very little and said very much.
He used to say, "Alchohol is like a snake, Lisa. It may not bite you the first time, but if you keep playing with it, eventually you will find it's fangs sunk deep into your skin."
Faith was something my dad lived, but did not preach. He had faith when he planted his wheat in the fall, that the winter snow would water it and in the Spring it would come up green and lush. It was with faith that he took me to church and sunday school to teach me the Golden Rule. It took me a while to learn it, but in time he saw it come to fruition.
My husband, is much like my dad. A man of few words. His first words on faith were "have faith, will travel". Being a 'Cowboy' I wasn't sure that it wasn't 'have gun, will travel!' lol Later I came to understand, that he wanted to travel down the road with me just far enough to see if I had the faith to follow. I followed the dream, we now both share. The dream my father had for this farm.
I saw some lines in your post that made me think of a woman that I heard share on faith in a meeting once:
"The path has been slowly appearing for me out of the fog." "God knows exactly what path I will go down." "HP knows that I am able and have the capacity to do just about anything I imagine." "I am praying for the strength to overcome the adversities that will face me down either road" With her permission I post 'Angeleyes' thoughts on faith:
...right now I feel as I am walking a path that is totally foreign to me- As if I am in someone else's world and I need to find my way back to my path... so, I grieve my loss and remember that there is a plan' I will "act as if" ...trust God to give me courage... look up and see I'm not alone''' and keep taking one step at a time until I see my serenity returning. I have had that serenity and I ache for it's return. I looked and looked for that serentiy in the new millinium, 2000. In the year 2000 my daughter's dad had cancer, he was not supposed to survive. He did. We had a house fire in 2001. We saved the 5 generation house. I lost my dad in the ice storm of 2002. I can still hear the trees crashing from the weight of the ice, just as my heart was breaking inside. My insides felt like the farms' devestated outside appearance. I lost my daughter's dad through divorce in 2004. I also found that he had a child pornography problem and wondered why he had survived in 2000. In 2005 I met my new husband, we married in July 2006...now I can write:
I feel serenity's slow ebbing warmth creeping through the east window of the Son's rising light. He comes to me in the early morning, just before dawn breaks the beginning of a new day. HIS peace passes all my human understanding and I accept His unconditional love for me. As I release my need to be in control of my life, I feel my faith and hope return. It's been a long time coming and long missed. "Welcome home God," I say. He responds, "I never left, my child."
I wanted you to know your post touched me greatly, so much so that I had to spend 15 minutes digging out this poem from my stash! I also wanted you to know that my "nick" in chat is 'overcome', which I choose because I believe that I can Overcome all things through my HP who strengths me. Good luck to you newbie, you're doing great!
I have watched you for the last fifteen months, and you are going great guns....You know what you want to do with your life, and your going for it...
All I would say to you is, along with your Hp, I would use your gut instinct.. Sometimes thats what makes decisions for us..... You know ((Jason)), so you know how his mind works...(LOL)..
I think your awesome, you are a great inspiration for someone so young..
You have been a good friend to me, and hopefully you can say the same about me..
Watching your progress, and I know you will do the right thing....
((Still)) Education is only ever a good thing! many of us regret not going on and going to college, or staying in college or going back to college.
I KNOW ---that You Know this; A College Education..IS ONE of the BeSt THingS YoU cAn Do FoR YoUr *SeLF.* It's something that will always look good on and help you when putting together * a Resume. ANd its something that will only make your stronger, more independent, smarter and more well educated of this world.
I wonder.... can ya take the job ...the one that requires you the move... AND (still atleast) take some part-time courses,maybe theres a a junior college or even courses offered with the support of and relating to them (the job.. you can ck with their HR/Dept.)
HP~~~God Will be with You and support you and "Be wItH YoU" nO MaTtER YoUr DeCiSioN. LiFe is an AdVeNTuRe ((still)) ... you know that. lol. i just have to say moving away and experiencing life away from family can also be one of the best things you ever do for YOU.. that YoU do for Your Self. An Adventure. ...... even if...... even IF, its just for a year or so......and ThAT would look good on a Resume too.
You will learn good things from whatever decision you make. I am here for YoU... no matter the decision you make. I hope you always know I have faith in you and want the best for You. I've watched ya grow tooo in these rooms..... You are an inspiration to me to do what i can and to enjoy life and live it tothe fullest. Today, I know I CAN. and I (with my HP beside me ..) I know I CAN and I Do and I Will chse to take hold of my life ....do what is going to make me happy and what is gong to help me reach my goals in this life.
Take careYOU!!!
((please)) keep us posted, I was soooo happy to see you post to the board. been wayyyyyy to long.
Hello Buzz , it's one of those YOU"L Know things our damn sponsors talk about . sheeeeeesh Like u said do the footwork and leave the outcome to God . It appears that he does know what is best for us . Hopefully this program has taught u to follow your heart , risk and take a chance . And God forbid you should make a mistake , pick yourself up again and try one more time. I was told we only fail if we quit trying . Step out of your box in confidence. Along time ago someone gve me 4 steps to solve a problem cause somedays 12 are just too many to work out all at once .
Hi Jason, You have come so far since I have known you. You show maturity and growth that is unbelievable. I am so proud of you and so happy to know you. You will find the way God has set for you because He will make sure of it. Make sure you let Him drive and you set in the passenger seat awhile, ok. Everything will work out like it is supposed to.
After I read your post I sat and thought a little about when I was your age. Choices seemed to be so critical at the time. I thought I knew what I wanted but as far as career, I took a completely different road. I know many believe that HP will show them the way, but remember too, that HP gave us free will. (I've never quite figured out how those two things work together).
Anyway, my point was going to be that I hope whatever it is that you choose, that it brings you happiness. I know you've been going to school for a purpose. Everyone wants to be financially stable. But don't forget about what will make you happy. If you can combine both, you'll be a lucky man.
I sent you a PM too.. love ya Christy
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If we think that miracles are normal, we will expect them. And expecting a miracle is the surest way to get one.
I looked and looked for that serentiy in the new millinium, 2000. 
It's something that will always look good on and help you when putting together * a Resume.
ANd its something that will only make your stronger, more independent, smarter and more well educated of this world. 
wonder....
can ya take the job ...the one that requires you the move... AND (still atleast) take some part-time courses,maybe theres a a junior college or even courses offered with the support of and relating to them (the job.. you can ck with their HR/Dept.)
God Will be with You and support you and "Be wItH YoU" nO MaTtER YoUr DeCiSioN. 
from whatever decision you make.
se to take hold of my life ....do what is going to make me happy and what is gong to help me reach my goals in this life.