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.
I am back after having a beautiful, exhausting time
The C2C reading for today is extremely powerful. It talks about:"Detachment with indifference". I could readily identify with that form of detachment because that's what I first was able to accomplish as I attempted to work this program.
I know that that after years of denying my feelings to protect myself, from the disease of alcoholism, it was quite easy for me to use a form of detachment called detachment with indifference.. The reading points out that Detachment is by definition, emotionally separating ourselves from the disease. Al-Anon ask us to do this with love, not indifference.
The following sentence really struck me as being very important. "The worst sin towards our fellow creature is not to hate them, but to be indifferent to them." I know that I am guilty of doing that through my lifetime.
Al-Anon has given us a way to feel our feelings including lovel and to not react but respond in a compassionate, courteous manner.
In today's reminder. It suggests the unconditional love. I receive an Al-Anon helps me to rediscover what love is. As I learned that I am consistently lovable regardless of my strengths or limitations I begin to see that others are consistently lovable for many of their human qualities.
The quote is "with the change of attitude, past actions can be put into proper perspective. Love and respect can become a part of family life."
I am truly grateful that I have learned how to practice detachment with love, especially during the past few months while dealing with my brothers, illness. I was able to be there in a loving, compassionate manner and for that I am truly grateful.
I visited many ornate, old churches that held numerous relics and beautiful paintings as well as many ancient Roman ruins. I must admit that 11 days without a meeting, enabled my ANTS (automatic negative thoughts) to attempt to overpower me and again a foothold. I am planning on attending a meeting this afternoon and I'm grateful that I carried my C2C with me as well as my many slogans. The most important. Slogan. I used was stay in the moment in the day, stop judging and criticizing others in your head and recite the serenity prayer. That worked.
Detaching with love was the second most important thing I learned, and very grateful indeed ... because the process of detaching with love and compassion helped me to, not only deal with Alcholism but with so many other interactions with others as well.
__________________
"Forgiveness doesn't excuse bad behavior, but it
does prevent bad behavior from destroying your heart". ~ unknown
I was once again reading about the drama triangle and how to get out of it and they said indifference is the tool. Maybe you have to use indifference to get out and move on?
I think you are correct Truth. Indifference has a place at times. I know it saved me often When I learned to detach with courtesy and respect-- It worked better and I felt less guilt.
Welcome back Betty and glad you enjoyed your trip.
I've used indifference at time to create distance, but this reading seems to suggest that it's for a time and a season and not a permanent solution. I find working the steps by utilizing questions at the end of each step in the literature, and reading about the slogans helps me not to force that solution, and helps me let the program change me without my interference.
