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 C2C reading for June 4 speaks about the Second Step and the possibilities of Hope that it engenders. The reading stresses the importance of making a small dent in the overwhelming armor of despair, so that we can show that we are willing to move in the direction of healing. It states that a little willingness can go a long way towards making hope and faith and ongoing part of our lives. In the hands of HP sanity and serenity become realistic hopes.
I can remember. My sponsor pointed out that the second step states; "Came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.". She slowly broke the step down into small sections. For example;
I came-- meaning that I I walked in the doors of the rooms of Al-Anon
I came to-- meaning that I became conscious and aware of a different reality and let go denial
I came to believe- simply meant that I found a Power Greater than myself in the principles of the rooms.
I found this to be true and I was able to take the step willingly
I so agree, hotrod. I am working Step 2 right now, and it's helping me put things in its place slowly. Mostly it's been giving me hope. I think when I focus on my HP instead of the disease, it helps me to feel lighter and helps me not feel so overwhelmed and defeated, which this disease can do. I'm focusing g on my relationship with God, which I had a good one before I got myself into this mess. However, if it weren't for this mess, I wouldn't have the awareness I have now in overcoming some of the barriers this disease has on me. Thank you for this post.
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Butterflies can't see their wings. They can't see how truly beautiful they are, but everyone else can. People are like that as well. Anonymous
Great post Betty! Came to believe- did not mean did believe. It was a process. My first HP was my Sponsor. Then it shifted to the Group. I figured if it worked for them, then it could work for me. Then the relationship progressed to the 12 Steps. Living the Principles was a higher power for awhile. Then I acted as if there was a HP. Believe to see- then I saw to believe. A HP starting to work in my life. I have little understanding of my HP, but I've had enough experiences to know that one exist.
Thanks gabingail and Mike I appreciate your powerful ESH on this subject. I know in the beginning of my alanon journey any degree of "Hope" was a welcomed visitor. As I practiced the simple tools and advanced through the Steps, I grew and did receive a "spiritual awakening" as outlined in the 12th Step and how grateful I am. I do not understand this HP but I do know it exists.
It's the people on this board that got me past the second step. I'm not a big fan of the internet for a lot of reasons, but if it wasn't for the people here I'd still be at step # -1,000,000.
Once there's hope, there's life!
Thanks Everybody!
This was a powerful reading this morning...and hit home. It reminds me that the program is about progress - not perfection and my HP is always present. I remember being so hopeless and crazy when I first landed here @ MIP and many suggested the literature, the F2F meetings, etc. For the first time in a while, I felt accepted and a small amount of hope.
Being able to come to a group, board, forum or meeting and find others who relate is priceless. If it were not for those who came before me and were ahead of me and leading me, I am not certain how I would have found any hope or peace.
I am glad that my pain was great enough that I didn't have to debate with myself over insanity....while that sounds so strange, I am grateful for my state at the time or I might not have felt the love and hope which made me want to get better and be better.
As always Betty - thanks for the daily and the ESH!!
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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
I was in a hurry to do the steps. I missed the first word in Step 7. Also, until today, I missed the first two words on Step two. Its a process, its a relationship that grows day by day. Glad I made the start, however imperfect... a start, is a start.... Now I can groom the relationship... more often than not by letting go... ...
Thank you for sharing such an important, powerful page, and your attention to the subtlety and significance of the wording. When I first started and looked anxiously ahead, I worried a bit that Step 3 was going to be a challenge because of the negative connotation I held of the word 'God'. I tried to take 'one step at a time' and found that Step 2 turned out to be invaluable to my work in Step 3.
When I broke down the wording in Step 2, I realized that all I was asked to consider was the possibilitythat something or someone could (could, not absolutely would) help me climb back to sanity. And even better, the only requirement was that this entity hold a Power that was greater than what I held in understanding and dealing with the alcoholic.
After expending everything I had and most of my reserves trying to control, change, and cure the alcoholic and admit I was powerless in Step 1, this seemed doable. The wording allowed me to take a step forward in the program without getting ahead of myself to address my fear of Step 3.
Each of us has a unique approach to working the steps, and the Program allows, encourages, and, for it to work successfully in our recovery requires us, to approach it in way that has meaning for us. The incredible power of the Program lies in the fact that it becomes more powerful the more we make it our own; take the time to feel what each word, step, and slogan mean to us.
Pages like this are such a good reminder of that, thank you all so much for sharing.
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Paul
"...when we try to control others, we lose the ability to manage our own lives." - Paths to Recovery
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