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 July 3 speaks about being rigid and inflexible. It presents at story about a group that always started their meeting in a certain manner and that newcomers at this particular meeting were welcomed and tools shared.
One night, the chairperson changed the format and many at the meeting were extremely anxious until the end of the meeting. One of the newcomers expressed how much they appreciated the words that the chair spoke as that is exactly what she needed to hear/
The lesson of the story is that we must realize that we do not know everything. Today I must remember that newcomer and everyone else in the hands of our Higher Power.
The quote is from Living with Sobriety. "When I stopped dwelling on how things would probably work out, I was better able to pay attention to. What I was doing."
Powerful reminder to be in the moment and keep an open mind.
Love it - thanks Betty for today's daily and your service......Your ESH rings true for me - when I am projecting what I think will be, I miss the blessings in front of me in the present moment. I am grateful I have tools to PAUSE and remember my view of the world is not the only view, and when I keep an open mind and an open heart, there is nothing but blessings in store for me.
Happy Sunday - the rain continues today but it's slowly moving out. We knew this was coming so it's not a huge interruption to my plans. I am out the door in a bit for a meeting and to hang with some friends for a while after.
Have a super duper day!!!
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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
Aha, just right for me too....time to stop projecting and be in the right now!! Thanks Betty
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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)
This hits home & kind of makes me think about my part of control in the meetings. I want it my way sometimes when we need a group conscience on any changes. Thanks for the reading.
Great page, thanks Betty and IAH. This topic is right in my growth wheelhouse, as I found myself reacting in the same way to a meeting in my first few months of attending AlAnon meetings. I came to realize that this was part of my tendency to feel that I knew the way things 'should' be run, and what 'should' or 'shouldn't' be said. I wanted to control what should be left up to my higher power, and that of others...
This is a great reminder as I struggle to keep my circle small and judgment-free. As there can be different procedures at meetings in different areas, and it's a good reminder for me that as long as steps and traditions are adhered to, and the focus is on positive perspectives rather than negative attitudes and behavior, there is plenty of help for those who seek it (today's Hope For Today had some helpful reminders on our role in contributing to healthy meetings).
The power is in the program and the fellowship, and the path is revealed by a higher power. All I need to do is mind mine
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Paul
"...when we try to control others, we lose the ability to manage our own lives." - Paths to Recovery
