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.
It's the last day of March and I hope each of you have a great day!
Today's Courage to Change reading talks about how many of us who have lived with alcoholism truly begin to grow up for the first time when we reach Al-Anon. We learn to face the real world and to own our actions/reactions. We begin toI become responsible adults.
Recovery helps us to realize also how important it is to add fun to our lives. So often if we are having a good time we can truly put troublesome situations into perspective. We are reminded how there is more to life than the current issue or problem.
No problem has been solved faster by taking ourselves too seriously. Even jello needs to be left alone to form as it is supposed to. A good laugh sometimes is the best tool available to help us let go and when we return to that task, it often seems less than and we are refreshed.
The reminder for today discusses how a well-developed sense of humor can help us detach from our struggles and triumphs. Just for today, I will avoid taking myself too seriously!
The quote is from Francois Rabelais - "One Ince of Jly Surmounts of Grief a Span, Because to Laugh is Proper to the Man."
Before Al-Anon, I was way too serious....I had totally forgotten how to relax and have a good time. I certainly did not know how to let things go - I held on with on my might and every last fingernail! I will always remember when I came to Al-Anon with an open mind and heart, and others shared their ESH and I felt like I was breathing in air deeply for the first time in a long time.
I've learned slowly but surely to look at what is working, which helps me see issues differently. I love to laugh, be light-hearted and have a good time! In reality, most of the smaller drama things at my home are kind of funny when you step outside of the circle and share with another. Only those in program can help me see the insanity of the issue and often we can relate with a bit of humor.
Enjoying our lives is what my HP wants. He truly doesn't want me to sit around, wallow in pain and negativity, wonder why me, blame others, etc. He wants me to find the joy, the peace and to keep growing and moving forward towards his plan, which isn't revealed to me. Doing the next right thing with a light step gives me great peace and pleasure each day!
Make it a great day MIP Family - thank you for being here!
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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
Your writings are always so inspirational to me. I read them every day and always find something positive to take away. Thank you for taking the time to post these courage for change excerpts.
I was certainly immature in many ways (and still am no doubt). Some of it is hard to believe now. On one hand I was holding it together for multiple people (or so I thought) and on the other, I saw myself as helpless and in need of rescuing. Then al-anon showed me how to rescue myself and being a self reliant grown up stopped being a scary proposition.
At the same time I could not relax or have fun. What kind of insanity is that- to be childish in all the bad ways (helpless and dependent) but not in any of the good, fun ways? Talk about having it all backwards.
I'm very grateful to have flipped all of that on its head and found a better way to live.
Thanks for your esh on this and for your service
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If I had a world of my own, everything would be nonsense. Nothing would be what it is, because everything would be what it isn't. And contrary wise, what is, it wouldn't be. And what it wouldn't be, it would. You see? (Lewis Caroll)
Great reminder I too needed to learn to "Grow UP" using new constructive tools rather than the ones I developed as a child.
Having "fun" while I "worried" was foreign to me as I did not know how to let go of my fear, anxiety and projections without alanon tools.
I now can set aside my anxiety, give it to HP and enjoy music, a movie or a good book . Thanks alanon
