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.
My son went to a GSA party today - that's Gay-Straight Alliance. It's a club that meets to provide support and fellowship among the 2 and they just kind of work to foster acceptance and stem homophobia, bullying, harassment, etc. He and his sister have been in the club for a few years. They were making posters and he said "I thought about using your slogan, but we all kinda thought no one would get it." I said "What slogan?" and he said "Love Doesn't Inventory Appendages." I laughed so hard! "When did I say that?" and he said "A long time ago and I had no idea what you were talking about."
So there you go. I've told my kids a thousand times whenever I get on my soapbox about anything, "I'm going to tell you this and you may not get it, but I'm going to keep on telling you 'cause one day when you're 20 or 30 or 60, something will click and you'll say "Hey, my Dad told me that, and now I get it!"
I just wish I could remember everything that I've told them 'cause I'm sure I've planted a few time bombs that aren't quite right that I won't be there to diffuse when they start to go off! I like that one though! I may have some bumper stickers made!
Thank you for this thread ... I just have to share my "darnedest thing." My wonderful adult daughter is also in the program, and of course being my daughter I still think she is cute although she is grown, just not as grown as me.
I was commiserating to her that I was under stress, having a hard time staying on one day at a time, I think I better go to a meeting because I'm not doing so well at this, can't keep my thoughts on one day at a time, bla, bla, bla... And do you know her reply to me?
I'll add one which ... at the time was certainly not too funny, but in hindsight is kind of....
When my son last relapsed, and I caught him he said, "Relapse is a part of Recovery, Mom". I just looked at him and had absolutely nothing to say. This statement is said many times each day at the Rehab Centers, mostly for family members to keep expectations in check.
Looking back on this, it is kind of funny as it shows me when one is not ready for recovery, all the words, slogans, etc. can certainly be twisted!
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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 remember moments of realization that things were going off the rails when I'd mimic the insanity of my A just to try to prove the point and have the words come back to bite me later. I remember thinking "This isn't just stupid and childish - this is downright crazy." Thankfully, I finally realized that that's where I was headed and found al-anon!!!
I Just Love Moments Like that... I Have Been in the Program for almost 7yrs and My Son has indeed Picked up a Few Slogans here and there along the Way, and at Times I Think HP Is Speaking thru him... lol When I'm Feeling Rushed, I'm Not the Kindest Person when Sitting behind the Wheel of my Vehicle, (Too Say the Least, its Probably My LEAST Favorite place to be) So when I'm Raging... My Son will Calmly look over and say one of a Couple things... "Mom, Maybe you Should "Let Go & Let God!" or "Mom... You Could Try God... Grant me the Serenity to Accept the things I Can Not Change!"
And In Being Honest I Have to say, Early on when he Started to do this, it would Drive me Even More Crazy...lol but Now I See it for what it is... and We Both Laugh and Sure enough, the Mood Shifts to Calm again ;)
This Program has So Many Wonderful Slogans and Tools its amazing... And Now I have Learned Another ;)
