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.
Today's reading from Courage to Change asks us to reflect on "This Too Shall Pass". The reading discusses how no problem lasts forever and no matter how permanently fixed it appears today, it will pass - even the pain. We all face difficult situations and often times those situations bring out old patterns of behavior.
If we hold out hope that all of our experiences can help us grow, and work to change our thinking and try to face these situations with courage, faith and fellowship/support, the passage appears faster or easier.
We truly need patience as some wounds are not healed as quickly as desired. We must give ourselves time and focus instead on our new tools we are developing. We are learning how to mourn in a healthy way and we are practicing acceptance in our lives. We can share our losses and our triumphs with each other and together, gather courage.
Today's reminder asks us to use our slogan, "This Too Shall Pass" to get through a difficult day. We should be gentle with ourselves during difficult times, and give ourselves extra love, care and attention - often this makes things easier.
Today's quote if from ....In All Our Affairs - "I am equal to what life presents when I use the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, the slogans, literature, sponsorship, conventions and most importantly, meetings."
Countless times in my life, when faces with pain, it seemed and felt as if it would never end and certainly not pass. As I reflect back, many of these moments are fleeting now, and I can see where I learned to be and do differently as a result of these experiences. I do feel as if this program has made painful events easier to manage and accept.
I also often kept to myself and isolated when things were in chaos/explosion mode. The reliance on fellowship and sponsorship has been a gift that I can't even describe how grateful I am to have. A problem shared does appear to lesson and the ESH shared gives me courage to practice patience until it passes.
I remember hearing early on, The only thing constant in life is change. This is true. I used to be fearful of change, and now I practice embracing it. I do believe that change is necessary to grow and there is a lesson to be learned with each season/experience I have.
So grateful that we have the gift of all our Al-Anon tools. So grateful that we get to have our own journey in recovery. So grateful for each of you and glad you are part of my journey!
Happy St. Patrick's Day for any celebrating! May the road rise to meet you and may the Lord hold you in the palm of his hands today and always.....
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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
IAH Thanks for sharing the concepts in today's C2C reading as well as your priceless ESH.
I love how the reading pointed out the fact that:
.. Every experience can help us to grow. and that we need to develop patience because some wounds cannot be healed quickly.These wounds must be given time, .As we move through the program, day by day we do acquire new abilities such as the ability to accept life on life's terms.
Learning how to share losses and triumphs with each other, is how we gather courage.I love he slogan that suggests that "If you are walking through Hell --simply keep on walking".
Love the Irish Blessing and a
Happy St. Patrick's day to you and all my MIP family
