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.
I was disturbed by that topic today as it was the reading we chose at our meeting. I Would rather have almost any other topic today as I wasn't feeling very sane. I didn't try to control the meeting but wanted to share something else. I waited a long time before I shared. I hope no one thought I was having a problem w it or anything that was said. I try to share my ESH but felt kind of left out. This is not an uncommon thing for me to feel. I guess the topic bothered me a little because I have mental health issues & take things personally. I could use any kind of feedback. I would like to go to bed feeling better. I know that no one can fix me. Thanks for all your support.
Kathleen
Kathleen - I don't know if this helps or not but those wiser than I told me to remember QTIP - Quit Taking It Personally. I know that sound simple and cliche but it does help me when I feel like I am in an uncomfortable spot and need to determine what in me is off-center.
If the phrase Insanity bothers you, remember that with the program, it has nothing to do with MH. It's all about doing the same thing over and over again, expecting different result. There are MH issues in my family too so there are conversations that make me uncomfortable, but I hold on to the point that principles are to come before personalities, and I know in my mind that nobody at a meeting has malice intent...
I don't know if this will help or not but I too give you big (((hugs))) - you matter and you are worth it!
__________________
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
My hugs too Kathleen. I too struggle with not taking things personally, and often feel like a sore thumb sticking out generally speaking. You're not alone. (((our hoot)))
We all have mental health problems. Alcoholism makes us insane. I was relieved to find this out. I knew i was crazy but finding out it was the disease of alcoholism and theres a program of recovery WOW!!! How grateful am I? Im jumping for joy at that one. We are so lucky Kathleen. Most folk are scrambling about in the dark spending a fortune on therapy for their insanity and look at what weve got for free!!!
I am recovering from the last few days. Some of you know that kept running into that guy who had MH issues & the real insanity started at the beginning if the week as I took it in myself. Now w your help I am realizing that the definition of insanity is simple but difficult for my crazy complicated mind. I keep going into that bad neighborhood alone. & I do expect different results. In recovery I can see what goes wrong. I don't work the Program in every area of my life. This is a life changing program & if I don't change things that I need to I won't grow. I will stay stagnant & won't heal.
Kathleen
Great awareness and honesty, Kathleen I agree we need to really practice these principles in all our affairs in order to maintain the courage, serenity and wisdom that are gifts of this program.
