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.
I have decided that this year I'm going to share the daily readings from the ODAT. I have been sharing from the C2C for the past year and think a change would work well
The ODAT reading for January 1 speaks about this being the beginning of a new year where every day is a blank page on which we will write our life stories.
The reading points out that living with the disease of alcoholism, many of us have used negative tools in order to write on the pages of each year. When dealing with the problem and applying Al-Anon tools to ourselves and to our thoughts and actions every day, we can allow ourselves to be influenced by program and not by what the alcoholic says or does.
The reading points out that we must try to avoid making blots or smears on the page of our year at all costs.
The reminder for today suggests that we can live life only one day at a time, many times the confusion is so great that will have to take it one hour at a time- realizing that we only have authority over our own life and are powerless over others.
The quote states "realizing that nothing can hurt me while I lean on my HP, I asked to be guided through the hours and minutes of each day. Let me remind myself to bring every problem to Him. I know he will show me the way I must gol"
This page is a great reminder to look at each day and decide not to destroy the moments, by negative thoughts, and actions. Using Al-Anon tools such as the steps, meetings, slogans, sponsors, I have found that I can accept life on life's terms with courage serenity and wisdom.
I pray that we each have a beautiful healthy 2017.
I'd love to be able to promise a blot and smear free year ahead, but I'll do my best and look forward to treasuring the moments (starting with that particular line of the reading and the typos that HP snuck into that forceful instruction - what a lovely reminder that we are but humble humans and our flaws can raise a smile and be lovable as well!).
I love this empowering reading. What a great start to the year. Tally Ho!!
Thanks Betty for the daily and your service. This is a great reading and such an important reminder for me and my program. I love how our program truly points us to what's important. One Day or One Moment at a Time is the one concept that over and over and over again grounds me and centers me. I am so very grateful for our program, our tools, steps, slogans, etc. that help me to be the best version of me possible.
Happy, Safe, Peaceful and Grateful New Year to everyone!!
__________________
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, and Happy New Year MIP peeps! There is something very fresh, crisp, and clean about the 1/1's...
...in the program see that we can make such a fresh start each morning, hour, or even minute that we want a reset, as IAH points out.
2 powerful thoughts I liked:
1) that "nothing can hurt me while I lean on my HP", and
2) blots and smears on my beautiful, clean pages come when I hand over my focus and pen or paintbrush to someone else.
If my page is jacked up I am allowing others to determine what goes on my page, am not relying on my higher power, or most likely both. As always, clearcut guidelines and wisdom from the program
__________________
Paul
"...when we try to control others, we lose the ability to manage our own lives." - Paths to Recovery
Thank you from me too, Betty. I like the ODAT with the way it describes some of our challenges. I always tell newcomers that it is the "leave it to Beaver version" because it was first printed in the 1950's. It is a great visual to think of life as blank pages and we decide what we want to put on it.
we can allow ourselves to be influenced by program and not by what the alcoholic says or does. (with alcohol and sometimes alcoholic also being a metaphor at 'times) recognizing deep this includes many others in our lives) .. recognizing how much i allowed and 'still allow 'others to influence me (negatively) ... ok for some healthy influence but too much i allowed and sometimes 'still allow 'it to fest inside me rather than letting it out replacing it with recovery .. etc .. at the end of the day . i know it's always been me moving in the 'wrong direction inside 'me .. the festering itself (obsession) is another one of those 'negative tools i pick up to 'cope .. know once i pick it up i am powerless over it .. much harder to set it back down but still needing to move 'through the step work for that one ..
many times the confusion is so great that will have to take it one hour at a time- realizing that we only have authority over our own life and are powerless over others. (even this now i am reading and becoming aware of the past confusion in my own (mind) was going to say life but nope .. really grew alot of secret confusion through the years .. and as for authority .. well i made so many an authority 'over me .. no wonder i had a hard time transitioning to one ..
The quote states "realizing that nothing can hurt me while I lean on my HP, I asked to be guided through the hours and minutes of each day. Let me remind myself to bring every problem to Him. I know he will show me the way I must gol" (thank you for sharing this .. my own sponsor has landed in so much more unmanageability i realise she 'can't be here for me 'emotionally' right now) .. but through you i am reminded of the absolute importance and value in finding another .. 2 or more .. am going to really begin to reflect on opening my mind and heart (to another) .. have to rehumble myself and allow my hp to teach me through the next as well ..
-- Edited by MeTwo2 on Sunday 1st of January 2017 01:49:11 PM
