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 21 talks about the eighth and ninth step. These discuss making a list of people we've harmed and making amends This reading suggests that we place ourselves at the top of that list of people we have harmed and proceed to make amends to ourselves. .
The reading goes on to point out that "yes", we have harmed ourselves more than anybody else because we had spent most of our time, taking care of others and were never ready to take care of ourselves. That is what we are trying to recover from I program
The reading reminds us that Improving ourselves is the only real action available. That by taking responsibility for ourselves we will make the world better place.
The reminder states that being true to myself is one of the greatest gifts I can give to those around. Perhaps I will inspire them to do the same. Why should others be bothered to follow my example, if I can't take care of my own affairs.
Love this quote: " To give advice to others is to intrude to give advice to myself is to grow."
The quote is from Ralph Waldo Emerson :"Many of the shadows of this life are caused by standing in one's own sunshine "
Another lovely daily reading and the quote is so spot on for me. I can't tell you how many times my own self-doubt has taken me from a lovely day or a lovely experience and shadowed it with a random negative thought that's not based in fact. I am so grateful for this program and the steps - I can stop that action/thought and return to joy easily enough by using a step, tool or slogan.
For me, step 8 and 9 gave me a new awareness of how my actions, reactions, thoughts, judgments and deeds affected my own joy and those around me. When I stood in judgment of others, not only was I placing myself above them and HP but also was placing their actions and disease above my own joy. These steps, with those before, showed me that to do for others what they can do for themselves takes away from all of us. I rob them of learning/consequences and I rob me from right thinking, right living and joy.
So grateful for the journey to recovery that we are given in the program and steps. The more I work on me, the more free I feel. Being able to stand in my truth and have no doubt is a gift that is directly resulting from these steps and Al-Anon!
Thanks Betty for the daily, your ESH and 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
