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 is about the slogan 'Let Go and Let God'. The thought for the day reminds us that the order of wording in this slogan is important- in order for us to turn things over to our HP, we have to be able to stop clutching at them. I have been thinking about the opening of the Serenity prayer when we say '.....give me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change....'. It turns out there are a whole host of things I cannot change!
Today's reading helps me remember when I am truly focused on myself and my life and not trying to influence, make changes, or force outcomes on others-- I am growing in my recovery.
There is a sentence in this reading that stands out to me about letting go of outcomes: 'It was no longer important that others read from the script that my expectations had written.'
I would add that I'm going to do my best not to base my feelings on what my expectations are writing!
Good Morning Mary. This is an extremely important slogan, as I believe that they are all are. I know when I first entered program(many years ago) I found the slogans were like small treasures of program principles that helped me to understand the program and attempt to recover.The Steps appeared too overwhelming so that my first recovery efforts were the slogans.
My first sponsor suggested that the slogan" Let go and Let God" actually embraced the first 3 steps so in essence I was also working the Steps when I practiced it She pointed out that with this slogan we are admitting that we are powerless, as the first step suggests, that there is a HP and we are not it (2nd) step and that we are willing to release the problem to that Power (3rd Step.) This slogan is still an integral part of my recovery, as I learned to "Let Go" by repeatedly reciting the serenity prayer. another great tool.
Thanks for your service and have a great day
Thank you, yanks and hotrod...very strong page, and great reminder. 'Let Go, Let God' does pack a lot of program punch and is a slogan that I am trying to incorporate more in my 'live' situations: reminds me that I don't have to address everything, reminds me of my place, and refocuses my attention to my own circle. Good stuff
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Paul
"...when we try to control others, we lose the ability to manage our own lives." - Paths to Recovery
Good morning all! Thanks Paul, Betty & Mary for your ESH. Thank you Mary for the daily and your service.
I love how it shares with us that we must first loosen our grip in letting go before we give it over/up to God. I remember in the beginning how frustrated I was as I thought I was letting go and letting God but actually I had a death-grip on many things that weren't mine to manage. I was full of fear to actually mind my own business as it was so foreign to me.
Thanks to those who came before me, I slowly learned that I truly had no control and my grip was damaging me - nobody but me. If I truly wanted joy and serenity, I had to stay on my side of the street, allow others to follow their journey and allow God to lead us all where we are to be.
I still at times, fear based, grab hold of things wanting to fix, change, control or lead. I am faster today than before to remember I don't need to - if I trust the program, my recovery, my HP and just let go, all will work out as it should. Lessons are learned for me in times of internal turmoil.
Make it a great day one and all - off to golf this afternoon and watching the grand babies tonight! (((Hugs)))
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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
