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Post Info TOPIC: Courage to Change (C2C) 9/8/16


~*Service Worker*~

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Courage to Change (C2C) 9/8/16


Today's reading is about trusting a Higher Power and having faith.  I'm starting with the quote - because it is powerful and spot on for me today -

"Understanding is the reward of faith.  Therefore, seek, not to understand that thou mayest believe; but believe that thou mayest understand." --- Aurelius Augustinus

Our reminder for today ---  Today I will make a contribution to my spiritual development.  I will try to identify the obstacles that block my faith.

The reading discusses what might be blocking us from trust a higher power, a power greater than ourselves, which we get to define and develop.  For the reading, there is a point made about wanting guarantees or self-will tells us that if we hold out long enough, we will be able to come up with new solutions that will work.  Self-will is powerful - leading us at times to think this time will be different ... even when past attempts at force solutions failed time and time again.

Many are fearful that trusting a Higher Power means we won't get 'our way'.  Our program tells us gently that our way may not be the best way and that if we continue to do what we've always done, we will continue to get what we've always gotten.  Many of us want the benefits the program offers and recovery but hesitate with trusting a higher power.  What we come to understand is taking the risk and trusting "Let go and let God" is the true path to recovery and spiritual growth.

Faith may or may not bring the results I seek.  Building a stronger relationship with a Higher Power does help us grow in confidence and personal power.  We are better able to cope with whatever comes to pass as we grow in our recovery and faith.

~~~~~~

I remember my first glance at the 12 Steps.  I just about had a panic attack over the mention of God.  I felt he had given up on me and my life a long while ago.  I am quite certain that my heartbeat changed with each mention of trusting a Higher Power and turning my will and life over to that same Higher Power.

I was fearful as I had felt abandoned based on the chaos of my life, my own choices made during my life and how I applied the teachings of organized religion from my youth.  I truly thought there was no way, a sinner like I, could align with a Higher Power.  My faith and way less than my fear.

For me, those who came before me were patient and kind as I wrestled with this super-sized issue.  I was reminded often and always that in spite of my best efforts, I was still alive and still upright.  I was reminded that each day I tried to apply these principles was one day closer to finding faith beyond myself.  Lastly, I was always reminded to just keep an open mind, and seek to understand and listen more than to be understood and heard.

Slowly, without conscious awareness, I did become willing.  I did find myself talking to a spirit 'out there' larger than me, and perhaps willing to help me, guide me and lead me.  Some fog was lifted and I was able to feel a bit better about me, my life, my journey and my days.  I learned that my own negative attitudes and outlook blocked me from serenity in my heart and the sunlight of the spirit.  I also began to trust people, the process, the program and finally - a power greater than myself.

Today, I have no doubt of the miracles around me and within me.  I know if I want to feel good about myself I must do the best I can for myself.  I must take honorable action and align myself with positive people, decisions and attitudes to grow and be humble.  I truly must put 'my money where my mouth is' and align my actions with my words.  When I lay my head down each night, focusing on the 10th step, reviewing my day, I want to be grateful for grace/kindness/service I am capable of and be at peace.

One day at a time, I have been able to trust God and know that he's way different than my view/vision as a child.  I know and feel that he truly wants me happy, joyous and free.

Make it a great Thursday all!  



__________________

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

 

 



~*Service Worker*~

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Hi IAH

Powerful reading and one I found so  very true.  When I reluctantly worked the Steps and examined my motives, .I discovered  that I really wanted to know" why "so that  I could manipulate, the situation and control the outcome  Now that I have given over control the "why" is not that important -- I simply go immediately to prayer.
 Prior to program and working the Steps, I naturally was afraid that I would not get what I wanted and at times I did not.  I would have never have chosen this path and am grateful  that HP has walked it with me because I did receive the  courage, serenity and wisdom I needed to live life on life's terms.
 
Thank you HP , Thank you alanon and Thank you IAH for your service  and the sharing of your wisdom.  Have a lovely day.

 



-- Edited by Iamhere on Sunday 31st of January 2021 01:21:23 PM

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Betty

THE HIGHEST FORM OF WISDOM IS KINDNESS

Talmud


~*Service Worker*~

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Thank you IAH for your service and your share. This reading really spoke to me this morning. I'm working on the second step with my sponsor right now and it has really struck me how the second step is really a process (came to believe) for me. Faith in an HP wasn't something I just turned on one day and found. It is something I have worked through and developed and struggled with and lost and refound over the past year I have been here. For me faith wasn't something I ever considered in my life before. And I had to practice it before I truly felt it. When I first came to Al ANon everything my group and this board told me felt so wrong, so against everything I ever thought and did before. I had come in so much pain and at the end of my rope I figured my way wasn't really working I might as well try yours. I came very skeptical especially of the whole God thing. Everything the literature said seemed against my nature but I tried it. Just a little at first. I guess this was really my first time I had attempted to have faith in something greater than myself. And as the program worked my faith and trust grew. I have had some set backs and jumps forward and I have learned to be patient. Sometimes I joke that coming to Al Anon was kind of like that Seinfeld episode where George decides his life hasn't been going so great and maybe he should do the opposite of everything he has always done and suddenly his life starts to get better. That is how Al Anon felt to me at first but the more practice I have had at it the better my life has become. As my faith grew in the program I decided that maybe I could have some faith in God. Maybe I could hand a few things over to him and see how it went. It was a bumpy road and still sometimes is but I am so thankful for the program and for having and HP in my life. Lately I am really valuing and appreciating my peace of mind. I hand things over much more easily than I did in the past. It's been a process and every single time I hand something over to God it works out much better than I imagined it would.

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~*Service Worker*~

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So many great points from the reading, and in your ESH; thank you IAH. I shared similar difficulties with the god concept upon learning and attending AlAnon. Through the process of defining, creating, and finally incorporating a hp into my program, I learned more about how deeply my self will and fear of alternate (not my ideal) outcomes can affect my serenity.

Coming to peace with outcomes that do not follow my anticipated or initially preferred direction has been, and continues to be, a key factor in my serenity. The Serenity Prayer has been a go-to blueprint and reminder when I falter, but I will add this page to my kit. Very grateful

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Paul

"...when we try to control others, we lose the ability to manage our own lives."  - Paths to Recovery 



~*Service Worker*~

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Thanks all - I love hearing others experiences with trusting a HP and letting go. It was a real challenge for me, but the rewards have been immeasurable in my program and serenity!

__________________

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

 

 



~*Service Worker*~

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Posts: 1008
Date:

I to have handed things over to my hp and let go of it ,I gained my peace of mind back quickly when I done so,so more and more I've learned to let go and let God.steps 1-3 I'll be repeating I'm sure,IAH thanks so much for your service and post....hugs lu

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Do the next right thing~

ONE DAY AT A TIME!

 

 

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