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 August 6 speaks about the times that we feel as if we are unable to take an action or face the challenges that are within our lives. Even when our position is hopeless and HP is beckoning us to take the risk, we hesitate, hoping for a miracle so that we do not have to act. . We forget that the miracle is already here.
In Al-Anon we have a Higher Power who is always there for us, helping us to cope with the present moment and to find new effective solutions to our lives. We are free to act or not to act. --to take a chance, to hold off on a decision and to make choices.
If it feels right.but takes courage to step beyond what is comfortable and predictable, we can trust that we will be given the courage to keep showing up. Courage is a gift from our Higher Power, that I can find in the rooms of Al-Anon and in the hearts of each member .
. The quote is from Martin Luther King Jr.:" courage faces fear and thereby masters it"
Powerful reflection on the power of this program . It points out that making choices and taking constructive actions takes courage and this courage can be found in alanon meetings and is a gift from HP.
I always thought that having courage meant that I did not feel fear. Alanon taught me that feeling fear and acting anyway is courageous. .
Thanks to HP I do have the courage to keep showing up and taking the next right action Thank you alanon
Thanks Betty for a great daily and your ESH! Your service is always appreciated. I too felt that courage meant plowing forward and not feeling - I found that was not a long-term solution as I would then feel used, put-upon, despairing and much more. Praying for courage to follow God's will was a new suggestion for me in the program. Today, courage for me looks different - way different at times.
I tried before the program to build myself up often by pointing out the faults in others. I also avoided feeling and tried to make others 'see' that my way was really the best way. I tried to impose my own views on others, and got angry and dismissive when things didn't go as I thought. Today, courage for me means leaving situations alone that aren't mine, allowing others to act irrationally if that's what they want to do and walking away from arguments - whether I am right/wrong - it doesn't matter. I have the courage today to protect my serenity no matter what.
In program, I've found the courage to act upon my biggest fears - new things, meetings, sponsor, etc. Each time I feel a twinge of fear about doing something different/new/uncomfortable I believe that I am where I am supposed to be because God put me here. How can I move forward and learn or serve? That helps me step towards instead of retract from.
Grateful for the program and our MIP family! Off to a F2F meeting in 5 minutes - make it a great 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
