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 January 23 speaks about Step Three. This is the Step where we are asked to make a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood him.
The reading points out that this is a huge decision. It helps to work the Steps in order because the order in which the first steps are written certainly helps us to overcome many of our attitudes.
The First Step asks that we admit that we are powerless over the disease of alcoholism and our lives unmanageable.. The . Second Step asks us to take a risk and come to believe that there is a power greater than ourselves that could restore us to sanity.
After taking these two steps. The Third Step is logical., turning our will over to this power, simply makes sense . The reading suggests that at the start of each day we can make a decision to turn our will and life over. We can pray and offer ourselves to HP and trust that this will happen.
The quote is from Paul Tillich: "decision is a risk rooted in the courage of being free."
I know I followed these suggestions in the beginning of my alanon journey. I made the decision, , said the 3rd Step prayer each morning , attended meetings, used the serenity payer used the slogans, examined my motives before taking any action so that this was the best way I could turn my will over and it worked.
Facing a huge Snow storm today in NYC Have plenty of food , Net Flicks and pop corn Looking forward to simply staying warm and inside. Stay safe everyone
Great page, thank you for your service, Betty, glad you are prepared for your winter visitor!
For the first part of my life, others controlled virtually everything. I finally rebelled, catching a ride on the pendulum as it swung freely past center and over to the side of trying to control everything. This tendency, along with a disbelief in anything greater than myself, made step 3 seem like a highly unlikely stop on my journey. The undeniability of the insanity in my life in step 1, however, and experiencing the wisdom of the program that pointed to something greater than myself, encouraged me to consider the very challenging, but ultimately rewarding, step 3.
When I came into the AlAnon, I had no intent, or desire, to have anything to do with god. I desperately needed a change in my life, however, and the program provided the tools and flexibility for me to try out a new perspective and set of tools. Focusing on one step at a time, for as long as was necessary for me to consider, explore, and finally accept and incorporate it into my life, allowed me to face my fears and build a new worldview based on step 3.
The risk and the years of effort were worth it, and I am so grateful for the wisdom of the program that guides us to a path of freedom, peace, and serenity if we are willing to challenge ourselves to face our fears...thank you AlAnon
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Paul
"...when we try to control others, we lose the ability to manage our own lives." - Paths to Recovery
Great support Betty...I feel secure and safe with the shares with the one strongest reminder being "daily decision". That is one work that works for me. I have come to believe and as a result of the decision find my life constantly in the hands of my HP. Mahalo again ((((hugs))))
Thank you Betty for the ESH, the daily and your service. Stay safe - it looks like a hellova storm.....prayers for everyone up there!
I love Step 3 and freely admit that 1 and 2 - for me - comes first and then 3.....I remind myself each day, upon awakening how powerless I am, how insanity used to look/could be again and ask God, my HP, to lead me towards his will each day, all day, one moment at a time.
I woke up with a sore throat and after having some breathing issues during the night ... might be sick. I also might not be, just not sure but am feeling a bit tired today. Needless to say, this was a day I planned to do my meeting and then relax around here after going to the store for groceries. I have to laugh at God's sense of humor --- both of my children today are in crisis and want to move back home.
A part of me because of HALT (Hungry, Angry, Lonely Tired) just says, "Shoot me now." Another part of me says, "No Freakin' Way." And then another part of me says, "I Don't Have to Answer Today and I am not in charge."
I will not project how this might turn out, as that would just be fruitless. I will not own the stress of my children, as it's not my job. I will repeatedly turn them both over to God, as I understand him and pray for his will. I did jokingly (maybe not...) tell my AH that if he agrees they can come home, I would be moving to the rental home alone. He then suggested he was going to get his passport updated, and go to Panama. We did chuckle about this a bit...
So, I am trying to be the calm before the storm within my own family. I am grateful for the program, the tools, and all the steps - however, today's reading and the 3rd step are exactly where I need to be for this day.
Stay warm and stay safe Betty! Thanks to all for the shares.....(((Hugs)))
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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
