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 speaks to the strength and serenity that working the program can bring into our lives. The writer admits that as a young wife and mother she was attenpting to fill any voids she felt with her family, volunteering, attending church, working etc. They were all positive endeavors but none filled the emptiness she felt. When she came to the program and found her HP she felt the difference in her life. She wrote about accepting that she has no control over others. I was just talking with a friend yesterday and we both said that now, after some program work, admitting powerlessness actually makes us feel powerful. The thought for the day is a quote from Courage to Change (p 135): "We see that none of the time passed was wasted; although we didn't know it, we were quietly absorbing the program."
I know there are times that I feel I have stepped backward or fallen into pre-program habits and thinking. I know now that this is all part of the journey. I'm grateful to be here with you!
Thanks for this share Mary. I can so identify with with writer's deep feelings of emptiness and futile attempts to fill it with activities. Finding program and the love of my HP certainly did fill that empty space and gave me the ability to live life with acceptance, courage nd wisdom.
This alanon Journey is not boring and provides many opportunities to review my past and relearn the lessons.
Thanks for your service.
Thank you Mary for the lovely ESH and the daily....
I can relate to doing 'good things' to seek self-confidence and self-esteem outside of myself. It was strange to be so outwardly 'busy' yet still feel so alone and empty on the inside.
The program, the steps, my program friends and my lovely sponsor have certainly filled that void. There are days where it still raises up within me, but they are further and farther between.
Of course, I am one who truly believes there are no accidents and thus being grateful for my HP and the love and direction I get when I surrender is just a given for me. I truly don't go any where without HP so often forget to mention that as the core of my existence. I so love starting my day with a walk in nature and the first thing I say....even when I am walking in the rain is Thank you God for this glorious day.
What a great reminder for me of how far I have come - with the help, assistance and ESH of this great program. Thank you MIP family and Al-Anon for my gifts and my better life. I wouldn't have it any other way!!
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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
Thank you Mary as well and am grateful to be here with you as well.
Learning that to control was more harmful to me than the one I was
trying to controlling was the big eye opener for me. So glad I see the
bigger picture.
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"Forgiveness doesn't excuse bad behavior, but it
does prevent bad behavior from destroying your heart". ~ unknown
