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 May 7 th speaks about alcoholism being a disease. It suggests that if a person with the disease could stop --many would have done so long ago. . When we finally come to realize that we cannot fight a disease and that it does us no good to plead or to reason with a disease., we do not need to waste our time doing so.
As we attend meetings and accept that we are dealing with a disease,it becomes easier to make a resolution to stop blaming the alcoholic for whatever is beyond their control, including the compulsion to drink. When we are able to do this , we can direct our efforts were they can do some good and commit ourselves to our own recovery. When we accept that alcoholism is a disease, it is easy to recognize that we have been affected by something beyond our control and we can then attempt to recover.
The quote is from the Guide for the Family of Alcoholics; "whether or not the alcoholic achieves sobriety, the time for the family members to begin working out their own emotional recovery is now."
I know early in recovery I had a difficult time accepting the "Disease concept" . I felt it was a mental illness and argued continually with any and all on the subject . Finally by "listening to learn", I reached acceptance of the fact ,because I had become teachable and learned to "Keep an open mind " .
Now I focus on myself and my recovery from living with the disease.
Thank you Betty for the daily and your service. I too struggled for a long while with the disease concept and kept assuming I could influence a change - through my own actions, thoughts, wishes, prayers, dreams, hopes and more. No matter what I did or tried, we would circle back around until and unless they committed to a change. I had to listen and pray for acceptance to embrace the disease concept and still today, at times, I get frustrated/upset over how the disease sucks them back in.
I am one who has to recall and reflect each morning on Steps 1-3. When I start my day with prayer, meditation and program grounding, I am way better for that day. I am grateful the program has helped me to understand the disease and to give me hope that I can recover regardless of what is going on around me.
Make it a great day to one and all - I'm off to a meeting shortly and then who knows what HP has in store for me!!
(((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
