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 accepting that which I cannot change and changing that which we can, through the Al-Anon program. We learn that we can not control the way alcoholism has affected our life in the past, we can not control another person, we can not make life unfold according to our own plans, we can admit our powerlessness and turn to HP for help.
The writer discusses a winding road in her home town, and how she held on tightly to the side handle when afraid as a young girl. She suggests she was too young to understand that her actions could not influence the path of the car and she often takes a similar approach to her adult fears, resulting in futile actions. When in the driver's seat as an adult, she now realizes that her responsibility is to steer clear of the road's edge. She can't control anything beyond her steering, her brakes and how she applies her lessons for driving safely.
It is up to each one of us to take our recovery seriously, to work on our own attitude, to take care of our own mind, body and spirit, to make amends when we have done harm -- in short -- to change the things we can.
Today's Reminder: "Sometimes the only way I can determine what to accept and what to change is by trial and error. Mistakes can be opportunities to gain the wisdom to know the difference."
Today's Quote: "If a crisis arises, or any problem baffles me, I hold it up to the light of the Serenity Prayer and extract its sting before i can hurt me." --- from One Day at A Time in Al-Anon
For me, I recall how tightly I held on to my qualifiers before the program. At times, I ached as I was holding on so tightly, yet they were still slipping away. The program gave me the strength to understand what I could control and what I was powerless over. I learned that no amount of love or concern or logic was enough to change their path or journey - I could only change my own attitudes, actions and pathway.
I too use the Serenity Prayer often to dissect and process a situation to help me understand what I can change vs. what I must accept. I am so grateful that this program has given me so many tools to be the best me possible, in spite of what my qualifiers are or are not doing!
Happy Saturday to one and all!
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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
Happy Saturday to you as well IAM and thank you for such a wonderful C2C this morning. Letting go and accepting my powerlessness was/is a continued process which has given me back my life. Accepting that there are situations in my life that I cannot control has given me the power back over my own life!! Mistakes are opportunities to grow are what Al-anon is all about. So grateful for the program and MIP and your service to us all IAM. {{HUGS}}
-- Edited by Iamhere on Sunday 31st of January 2021 12:11:11 PM
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"Forgiveness doesn't excuse bad behavior, but it
does prevent bad behavior from destroying your heart". ~ unknown
Sitting with my Al-Anon member wife over breakfast and coffee and the C2C reading which is a great re-read over the long period of recovery I have had in program. It is just as inspiring and supportive daily. Read it MIP family...read it slowly and let it burrow into your spirit. ((((hugs)))))
Jerry - it's so funny you mention reading it, reading it slowly and let it burrow into your spirit! My son's baby mamma started Al-Anon about 3 weeks before delivery of this wonderful baby that is now here. She's obviously not been to a meeting this week and was super anxious today. I had got her the C2C when she first started. So, when I talked with her earlier in the day, I asked if she's had any time lately to read the literature.
She answered No - expected - with a 2 YO & a new baby (and my boy.....who is 23 going on 12). I told her to take a few minutes and do it - it would change her day. She did and we met up @ the family wedding a while later. She and my son were so happy and almost like on date night. I had the new baby all evening showing him off and they were grateful for the break.
Life is what we choose to see......what a gift!!
Love and hugs Debb - you rock my friend!
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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
