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.
Honesty, open-mindedness and willingness are the three primary principles in laying down a solid foundation for recovery. Honest with oneself. Being open to Power Greater than our selves and willing to take certain steps
Three, important personality traits, necessary to successfully working the steps.
If I am not going to be honest, open and willing then I am only prolonging my difficulties.
Admitting my role in my As chaos and drama was the most important step I took in my own recovery.
Only then could I actually progress through the steps and become healthy.
Have a wonderful day everyone!
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"Forgiveness doesn't excuse bad behavior, but it
does prevent bad behavior from destroying your heart". ~ unknown
Thanks Debb this simple thought regarding " HOW" really stuck with me in the early days and encouraged me to keep showing up.
It is interesting to note that the C2C reading for today touches on HOW to use the program
The C2C reading for August 25 speaks about learning to HOW touse the Al-Anon program continually in our everyday life. It points out that developing the skills that Al-Anon teaches is like learning to play the piano, as we are actually learning to play a new instrument, and that is, --"ourselves".
It points out that we are people with a wide range of emotions from love and joy to wonder, as well as anger and fear and sadness. These are feelings and make us whole and that HP wants us to fully feel these to experience life.
It suggests that we are learning how to accept the crashing crescendo of great anger and the soft chant of serenity , the heights of wonder and new insights that stretch our hearts and minds.
I think the most important steps I took toward my recovery was to find an HP that I could believe in and to make the decision to "Keep coming back"
Thanks Debb, I Hope to Share this Acronym at My F2F this Evening... I'll be Sure to Pass on it Came from One of My Many "Amazing" Lights ;)
I Do My Best to be Honest, I Struggle at times with OPEN (due to Trust Issues), but I have Def. Been Willing to Keep Coming Back, So As to Someday, Make that part of My "O" Only a Distant Memory :)
Thank you Debb, Ive got honest and willing ...its the Open i need to work on...turning things over to HP I do all the time, leaving it there is another story. I have been the one that handled everything for most of my life, before AH I dealt with sisters..I was also a single parent and had to do everything myself...and a lot of people can relate to that I am sure. there is not me time when you are raising a child. Well having an AH is like raising a child.
Debb - thanks so much for these slogan type posts. For me, it's like a mini-meeting when/as time allows! Truly appreciate your service and your ESH.
I at times rotate this to WHO - Willingness, Honesty, Open-Mindedness.
My sponsor first did that for/to me, as another way to 'see' that when I am in pain, confused, fearful, etc. I only need to become willing and the other two will follow.
I have learned that no matter how long I am around, if I am not open with what's going on, my 'me' can quickly slip backwards into the 'me' I so desperately disliked. I tend to want to hold things in, and see if I can process/fix alone and have learned the hard way that this is the slowest way to serenity (for me).
I've made the willing as easy as I possibly can - and that's the willingness to show up and trust God. Everything else will just fall into place if I can do that.
And honesty is at times a work in progress. I always considered myself honest - I would never steal, cheat an employer, lie to a family member, etc. But honesty for me with this program is a bit more complex. I am the one who always said, FINE, when asked how I was doing. I've now removed fine from my choices, and I actually try to answer as honestly as possible - stressed, sore, tired, good, happy, etc. - it's an interesting way to view honesty, but answering this question helps me go deeper into my program - esp. compared to my standing response of FINE.
Keep sharing these - Love the threads, love the posts and love the reminders of how critically important ALL our tools are for my recovery!
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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
Thanks Debb - I am not feeling so freakin shiny today.....I can't even talk on the phone my throat hurts so bad and is swollen.... :(
I don't do 'sick' well at all. Feel like a weenie!! LOL.
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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
Hey girl - my hope is it's only a cold. I carry Strep and it usually hits me once per year. It's early for that for me, but not impossible. I am trying to rest it out for today but that's hard for me to do - being still is not one of my strengths!!
I am not congested, which is why I thought allergy drainage last night. If that's what it is, it's put my throat on fire. I tried to eat a turkey sandwich and it was not happening. Soup went down good though - of course, soup when it's 80 degrees out is a bit 'strange' for me too.
I do feel better since napping + soup....but - my couch is looking good right about now so may get horizontal again. And you're right - nothing is worse than not feeling good!!! Poor me - LOL!
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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 might wait one more day since it all started last night. The last time I did that, I tested negative on the quick strip. 3 Days later I went back and tested positive. I will take care of myself though girl - can't afford to be down any longer than necessary! I also am not digging soup and oatmeal as my 'diet' - could be much worse, I know!
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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