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.
The C2C reading for December 12 speaks about having a" closed mind." It states that when we first come into program, we bring this attitude to meetings , think we know it all and no one can tell us anything, and consequently we don't hear the powerful message of the program and are not teachable.
It goes on the say that by working the Steps and learning to deal with our old resentments, we can recognize the wonderful self buried underneath all our misguided beliefs.. It takes discipline and courage to stop pushing everybody away and to listen to learn.
Today's reminder suggests that Al-Anon helps us to see things and people as they are and not the way I sometimes think they should be. With Al-Anon tools I can love them for who they are, instead of waiting patiently. for them to change.
The quote is from Kenneth Davis:" life truly lived is risky business and if one puts up too many fences against risks, one ends up shutting out life itself."
I know when I first worked the Steps I discovered that I had walled myself in with my negative tools of protection so that I was locked away and could not appreciate life itself . Thanks alanon for giving me the tools to be walk free in alanon harness
Thank you Betty for the gr8 ESH and the daily! It's been a day much, much different than planned! LOL.....
I remember when I arrived, I had truly stepped away from most people as I was full of shame, anger, resentment and guilt. I still (at that point) felt responsible for how my boys were and so fearful of the unknown that I just shut down and stayed in my 'small and protected world'.
What I didn't realize is how isolated I truly was and how much living I was missing out on. Life is short, and the program gave me back the willingness to get better, feel better and find my joy again. My life is nothing like I predicted it would be and that's OK - it's better than I thought it would ever be when I first arrived.
I still am one who believes when you are doing the next right thing, it always works out - as he wills it to be!
I have to keep an open mind to keep growing and changing.
Thanks for your service - (((Hugs)))
__________________
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
