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.
C2C reading for December 9 speaks about Tradition 11. This powerful Traditional emphasizes the fact that our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion. The reading goes on to point out that this Tradition reinforces the idea that Al-Anon believes that people arrive at the alanon rooms "only " when they are ready and not before That is why we are urged to keep the focus on ourselves and to do our level best to live this program one day at a time.
That by walking the walk and not simply" talking "the talk we will attract more to the recovery program than any other way. If we are demonstrating recovery in our lives, that is the best way to attract another.
The reading goes on to say before I start telling people about Al-Anon, I might consider posing this question; did they ask?"
Quote Is from Albert Schweitzer; "example is not the main thing in influencing others. It is the only thing."
I no longer push program on friends or family--- They know that I attend, can see the results and if they want what I have they are free to search out alanon and attend.
Thank you Betty. I am working tradition 11 with my sponsor right now and was just writing about how I look back and am grateful that I knew about the program, through seeing pamphlets and hearing from others, even before I was ready to make changes in my life.
Thanks Betty for the daily. In my experience, until one asks and is ready, their ears are often unable to hear anything - especially a potential different way of living or loving.
It took me a little while to realize that my presence is enough to show that I have grown and changed. When others ask me, I may share - depends upon the person. More often than not, I just say that I am working on my spiritual life and letting go of the past. That tends to often allow me time to decide if I want or should disclose more.
I am grateful for the traditions as they are the glue that keeps the program 'pure' and 'whole'. I am so glad that we have been given a program with a blueprint for doing things differently with different results. So many times, prior to the program, folks would ask if I understood the term insanity. Sure - doing the same thing over and over - expecting different results. So - the message is do things different.
I am one who needs a plan right in front of me to do things different. My different did result in varied outcomes, but they were still not pain-free. It's when I began to work this program that my 'different' became healthy and actually resulted in positive or neutral outcomes.
Great daily - attraction rather than promotion is awesome - thanks for your service!
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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
