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.
Todays reading is about how we often have a faulty sense of self due to this disease we are all affected by. Our belief systems are often out of date, not based on facts, have little evidence and we seem to cling on to these beliefs as if its all we have got. Letting go of the negative self talk and belief systems has been what Alanons all about for me.
Working the program, I mean really working it through daily readings, meetings, sponsor, step work, sharing and reading here, has meant I have learned to look at my belief systems and discard the ones that harm me and replace them with fresh healthy positive ideas. I can see im never going to be perfect, i will always have shortcomings, some never seem to go away for long but being able to see them and not use them as a stick and to give up and wallow in self pity for another 20 years is the miracle for me.
If we want to improve our lives, and that might sound like the easy bit but not everyone wants to improve their life. Then its a committment to replacing the old out of date negative beliefs with the truth of us and our lives. The old beliefs are not the truth and are keeping us from a happy content peaceful life.
Its a choice we have. Work the Alanon program, really work it and the change in beliefs will come or dont.
Thank you El-cee, I believe as well, that if I do not want to suffer or be unhappy anymore, I need to work the program and get to the root of my problems, which include me and my outdated mindset. My outdated mindset arises from living with the damage that the disease of alcoholism has caused me. I can chose to worry and be unhappy or I can chose to do something about it, and that is to work the program and look at my part in my unhappiness. {{HUGS}}
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"Forgiveness doesn't excuse bad behavior, but it
does prevent bad behavior from destroying your heart". ~ unknown
Great topic LC Living with the disease of alcoholism has taken a huge toll on our self-esteem and as a result, we may not recognize how many of our wrongs are built on faulty sense of self. That is why the fifth step is so very important. Together with our HP,another person,we can even change lifelong patterns.
Powerful share and an oh so important lesson. I am responsible for my happiness. If I feel lost in the woods it only takes 12 Steps to reach safety .
First topic of the day and what a great one to consider, ponder and apply!
I learned in this program that my happiness, peace and serenity are a direct result of what I choose to do, be and act like. As I came into the program, I had so many ill-conceived conceptions of how I thought life and love should be. They were based on fantasy vs. reality and many almost fairy-tale or movie like. The program has taught me that if I am willing and have an open mind, I can find happiness in the middle of chaos. I can have peace during extreme drama and I can choose to live with a serene mind, soul and body or I can choose to live with dread and self-pity.
I choose to go to any lengths to seek peace, happiness and serenity. Only those of us who live with this disease truly understand how insane it is. Only those of us who choose recovery understand how much power, with HP's help we have over our own space of mind. The answer is always in the steps, the literature and/or the program itself.
Thanks for starting this thread El-Cee. As I embark on a girl's week-end, it was a nice way to start my day!
(((Hugs))) to 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
I am constantly reshaping my truth in my own mind. I have my own distorted thinking that basically is my imagination gone wild. I actually ask myself often:"B, is that true? How do you KNOW it's truth? Is it your truth or someone else's if you've determined that it's valid, and if it's someone else's then it can't be YOUR truth and that's the only one that is real to ME.
So, what works for me is to change my thinking and to choose honesty with myself, even if it hurts, because that is what brings about peace and happiness while working the program. The more I learn about myself, the stronger I become, the better I am at setting boundaries, the more determined I become to live life on my own terms.
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Never grow a wishbone where your backbone ought to be!
