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.
Step 2 was once paraphrased as: "First I came, then I "came to", then I came to believe."
Today's reading contains a description of how the program works for some, particularly Step 2. No miracles necessary initially, just get to a meeting, involve yourself, look for and ask for guidance, and remain open...repeat.
Today's Reminder: Faith is a process that can only happen if we open the door of possibility. Understanding this will help when things in our life seem to be "stuck".
"I find the great thing in this world is not so much where we stand as in what direction we are moving." Oliver W. Holmes
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This page is one I relate to closely. I came to AlAnon without a clue about recovery, lacking even the foundation that most others in my early groups seemed to have: A higher power.
I am so grateful that I hung in for the process to take hold, recognized the utility in the wisdom and tools, and kept coming back until I 'came to.' I continued until my faith in the utility of the program became a faith in something I created and came to believe in: my higher power.
At my first meeting, I would have never imagined having a higher power, but I also could not imagine the peace and serenity that I've experienced since. Recovery is ongoing, gradual, and humbling. I am so grateful for the process...
__________________
Paul
"...when we try to control others, we lose the ability to manage our own lives." - Paths to Recovery
Good Morning Paul Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this important reading.
I do believe that I was unaware of the arrival of faith in my life until one day as I was walking, I noticed a flower growing in the grass and my automatic internal response was "How touchingly beautiful =Thank you HP for the beauty in nature" .
I was amazed that my lack of faith and belief had transformed to this point. It happened by simply attending meetings, using the tools and living in the moment and in the day As the reading indicates: I came, I came to believe!! What a fantastic gift this program truly is.
Thanks Paul.
My initial logic when I arrived was that even though I didn't really agree with or understand what folks were saying (because I wasn't the one at fault so why should i have to blah blah) I really, really wanted what other al-anon folks had. So I decided to just hang around and see if I could absorb it by osmosis lol.
I too am glad that i made that decision because it did eventually click and make sense and now I fancy I really do have a little of what those other folks have
Thank you Paul for your service, ESH and the daily! I know for me that my serenity and sanity seem to directly relate to the state of my spiritual existence. If I am bogged down by the past or anticipating the future in any way, I am usually not planted in the here/now. In the here/now, I can say I feel the presence of my higher power and know all will be well.
Coming to the program, I felt so broken. I do recall when I saw mention of higher power and the word God in the steps I felt I would fail before I started. For me, this had to do with the way I distorted the teachings of my youth combined with destructive thinking about myself and all that had happened 'to me'. I truly took personal every action, reaction, word or deed of those around me, and felt targeted.
I too came....and kept coming. I then came with an open mind, and came to....it is when I came to that I realized how others are has NOTHING to do with me. It is about them and their own journey and spiritual condition. I kept coming with an open mind, and then came to believe....that God could and would restore me to sanity if I allowed him.
My crazy brain wanted to compliment the program, steps, concepts and suggestions. I would love to see a burning bush - that would be cool - however, instead I will accept with pure joy the daily miracles I see that are put in front of me. I want to walk by faith and not by fear - it feels so much better.
Make it a lovely day all - off to a meeting in a while and to enjoy yet another lovely fall day in my neck of the woods!
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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
Thank you Betty, MissM, and IAH for your comments! I always learn so much from your shares...
Once again, this speaks to me of the power of the program, that it can take individuals from such varied backgrounds, beliefs, convictions, and tragedies, and guide us all on the same path. Regardless of where we are in our personal recovery, the nature of our higher power, or years in recovery, we all can feel spiritually close and benefit from our fellowship with others who are working hard to apply program principles in recovery.
That in itself speaks volumes to me, was something that I noticed when I first arrived, and remain something for which I am grateful today...
__________________
Paul
"...when we try to control others, we lose the ability to manage our own lives." - Paths to Recovery
