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 talks about the importance of attending meetings in our Al-Anon program. Not only do we break the isolation many of us experience because of this disease, we usually hear something we need to hear and rarely leave a meeting feeling worse.
Life is hard and difficult without the disease - at times, it's really hard!! Those of us in recovery have the gift of fellowship, program, recovery and meetings. When we feel we can't face the world and want to bury our heads, perhaps we NEED a meeting. Sometimes pushing ourselves out the door to attend is hard, but relief is often felt just walking in the door. We learn in recovery that our HP speaks through others, and we must act on our own behalf to get the message.
Today's reminder - When in doubt, I will go to an Al-Anon meeting and invite my Higher Power to do for me what I cannot do for myself.
Today's quote - "There are times when I have to hurt through a situation and when this happens, the choice is not whether to hurt or not hurt, but what to do while I am hurting. From ... In All Our Affairs
I have arrived at meetings with a chaotic mind and at also a peace-filled mind. What is so awesome is no matter how I arrive, I always feel better when I leave. The message, the fellowship and the love I feel in Al-Anon meetings has carried me further than I ever imagined. Coming together with others who get it and can help me get through it is one of the best gifts of this program. I do fully believe my HP speaks through you all to me in meetings and in sharing.
I am grateful for the program and the meetings available. I am grateful for the steps and the messages of recovery that I've experienced and lastly I am so glad that I broke my own isolating tendencies and rejoined my own life. Make it a great day everyone! Thanks 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
Thanks for posting your thoughts on this important topic IAH, When I read your posting I was reminded of the truth of the slogan: "meeting makers make it". I know that 80% of life is simply showing up so if i can walk into a meetings I am working on my recovery. Thanks for your service--- No ball game today ?
Thank you so much IAH! Such an important message today.
I hadn't been able to attend my weekly meetings for 2 weeks due to vacation. I was still reading the posts here daily, but nothing f2f.
This past week when it was time to get ready for my meeting, different obstacles were placed in front of me. Important phone call, later than usual dinner, etc. I was so tempted to just not go; would have been easier to sit on the couch. However, there were a few things weighing on my mind and I pushed myself to go a couple of minutes late.
I was so glad I went! The meeting brought me great relief and I was able to connect with a potential sponsor. Our group is pretty small and I hadn't asked for a sponser yet.
I fully encourage all to get to meetings on a regular basis. I love this site, but it is to be used as a supplement to f2f, I believe.
Hey Betty - played on Tuesday and golfing tomorrow + softball.....should be a tiring day!!! So - today's a 'day off'.....I have to go get my driver's license renewed - it's 'that time' here. We are fortunate in my state to be able to put ourselves in line online. So - I am ticking away a couple hours before it's my turn.
El - thank you for your share - I can so relate! I was running late yesterday and almost skipped but my mind/serenity flows better when I stick to my schedule/meetings!
To both - I agree that meetings are so important to me/my recovery! I believe attending a meeting is better than anything else for me. It gives me an opportunity to practice all that we suggest - listening, open mindedness, humanism, patience, sharing, etc. There is so much to get out of an hour - so grateful!
We talked in our meeting about Step 8, Tradition 8 and Concept 8.
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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
