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 is about the slogans--their simplicity, their helpfulness, the way they can help keep us going in our right direction. In the first paragraph the writer makes the point that initially he thought the slogans were trite, over simplified, and was skeptical about trying them. The writer then goes on to say that before Alanon he used slogans of his own - negative and bitter ones, those that kept him mired in resentment. I thought this was a great way to take an old (negative) habit and turn it into something positive. Since the writer was accustomed to thoughts such as 'I hope you're happy now' and 'if you really loved me' (fostering resentment), he was able to work on "Live and Let Live" and "One Day at a Time". From bitterness and resentment to positivity and light.
For me the slogans have always been helpful because like a lot of us when I came into the program I felt wrung out like a dish rag. I couldn't think much beyond a few simple words. It was very helpful for me to have the focus of a short phrase, and I sometimes used them as a meditation to calm down my frantic mind. If I am feeling uneasy, frantic, anxious--it is always helpful for me to read and focus on a slogan for the day. I like the first sentence of the quote from Alateen: 'Each slogan can be an easy reminder that we do have choices...'
The slogan I am thinking about today is: "Just for Today". What's yours?
Dear Mary, thanks for sharing your thoughts on today's reading in the HFT. The slogans are my favorite Al-Anon tool and I use them consistently.
I know in the beginning, the steps seemed overwhelming, so that I picked up the slogans because my sponsor pointed out that they were in a small way of practicing the Steps.
Let go and Let God. Were actually the first three steps in action
Keep the focus on yourself -- fourth and fifth step
Examine your motives- The sixth step
Live and let live, Keep it simple, one day at a time, are all powerful reminders of a new way to live my life and I liked it. I also found that the Serenity Prayer was the 11th step in action.
Thanks for your service Mary and the reminder about the slogans
