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 is about humility and how it can be tough to embrace. Often we are taught from early ages to place the wants and needs of others before our own. We then equate humility with taking care of others and ignoring our own needs and feelings. In the program, we learn that true humility is not degrading. We also learn it doesn't require that we neglect ourselves. We learn that being humble is instead measured by our willingness to do our part in our relationship with the God of our understanding.
Humility often begins when we take the first Step of the program. By admitting we are powerless, we make room for the possibility that a power greater than ourselves can do all those things that are beyond our reach. We begin to learn about what is and is not our responsibility. As this becomes more clear, we are better able to do our part - for ourselves and others and better able to ask God to handle the rest.
Today's reminder --- Part of learning humility is learning to contribute to my own well-being. Today I will do something loving for myself that I'd normally do for someone else.
Today's quote from Joseph Fort Newton --- We cannot tell what may happen to us in the strange, medley of life. But we can decide what happens in us - how we can take it, what we do with it and that is what really counts in the end.
I am sad today - struggling about about a future event (Mother's Day) that is not even here yet. I truly need to stop taking back my will and turn it over to God. This reading suggests we realize our powerlessness and then move forward doing what we can for ourselves, and letting HP handle the rest. That quote is for me very powerful - we do not know what is coming next and what really counts is how we handle it. I can hold onto this and face this day and what it may/may not bring with humility (be teachable), grace (be loving/tolerant) and dignity (do not sacrifice my serenity).
Make it a great day MIP family - acceptance appears to be the answer for today for me - back to step one to remember how truly powerless I am over so many things!
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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
Hi IAH Thank you for sharing this important reading and taking the time to reflect on your own inner process. I appreciate your honesty and spirituality.
I particularly appreciated this reading as it presented a great definition of Humility- one that I could embrace and hold on to .
. As you stated," Humility" is not degrading nor does it ask I make myself and my needs invisible. It merely acknowledges my limitations and is represented by my willingness to do my part in my relationship with the God of my understanding and then to trust and let go .
Love how it suggests that part of learning Humility is learning to contribute to our own well-being . We must do something loving for ourselves everyday.
I do hope you are gentle with yourself this day and this weekend and know that you are a great compassionate, understanding supportive person .
"True humility is not degrading." Most of my life I have been my own worst enemy. After starting the program, I began to notice how many times I would talk to myself in a demeaning way..."How can you be so foolish?" "Why did you do such a dumb thing?" "Can you get a brain?" It's amazing. I would never say those things to someone else. Why do I do it to myself? Why do I put everyone else's needs in front of my own? I'm learning so very much, and I have so many people here to thank for their shares and experience.
(((IAH))) My hugs are being sent to you as you anticipate Sunday. My prayer is that you embrace the day in a way that is unique and special to you.
Learning humility within the program was about keeping myself the student and the child of God; not ascending above others; alcoholic/addict included. My sponsor tied a direction to the term humility which is "being teachable" and that is what it continues to be for me today. Being humble also means allowing HP to supply the teacher with Al-Anons direction of "If I keep and open mind I will find help" regardless of the messenger. How often because of negative emotions I either discounted or denied what the alcoholic/addict was telling me and then finding out what I was being offered was more valid than what I was considering for myself. I like being teachable. It is an important reason I keep coming back here. ((((hugs))))
