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.
Regarding Step 1, today's reading notes that many of us found AlAnon after trying everything else so admitting our life was unmanageable might not have been a stretch. Fully accepting our powerlessness over alcohol, people and outcomes, however, is often much more challenging.
Today's Reminder: We make progress in recovery when we truly accept Step 1. It is worth putting every effort into understanding and practicing this in our lives.
"I pray to be released from my compulsion to control my situation. I have so often proved I am unable to control it. Let me think, know and feel my powerlessness; then I will at least learn to let go and let God." - Contributed
************** When I found AlAnon, there was no question in my mind that my life was unmanageable, and this played a key part in my willingness to try new solutions and tools. The real challenge with Step 1 came as I learned each day another way I had been trying to control alcohol, my qualifier, and many other people, things, and outcomes.
Accepting my powerlessness is at the heart of nearly every challenge I face, so it is important to review this step and my acceptance and practice of it. If I am struggling with something, Step 1 often reveals that I am trying to wield my power rather than Letting Go and Letting God of my understanding.
Very grateful for the reminder and the power and simplicity of the program
__________________
Paul
"...when we try to control others, we lose the ability to manage our own lives." - Paths to Recovery
Paul, thank you for posting this reminder. I begin each day with ODAT and it often guides my thoughts in a productive direction...if I let it, anyway.
January 30 reminds me of the futility of one of my most useless behaviors: I try to force change. I come up with a "solution", and try, all on my own, to put that supposed solution into effect. Since I'm not a Higher Power of any sort, this just plain doesn't work. I often create unpleasant situations and consequences - a great way to make awful, unnecessary messes. When I stick with letting my HP be in control, I can focus my attention on listening for that small voice from my HP to guide my own thoughts and actions and reminding myself that I am not in charge...there's something much greater than I taking care of the world.
As a bonus, it's really relaxing letting my HP take the reins; it's exhausting trying to take responsibility for everything.
Onward,
Denizen
__________________
"Courage doesn't always roar. Sometimes courage is the little voice at the end of the day that says 'I'll try again tomorrow.'"
Thanks for posting your thoughts on this very important Step. I know I found alanon when i had tried everything else and failed. Attending my first meetign was difficult but I felt one hundred times bettr after that short hour that i was determnded to return so as to develop the tools necessary to ragaindmy life. Step one was essential and I then had to move into Step 2 because if i was powerless, I had to believe in a (Non alcoholic ) power greater thanmyself that I could believe in. I love the Steps and this program.
Have a great day Paul and everyone
Thank you Paul....for me it was a little different, I had not tried anything else because I had no idea my life had become unmanageable, to me it was just the way it always was and so therefore I thought that was the way it was supposed to be...until I came to AlAnon at the suggestion of a Dr./friend...so I came here first and am glad for it. boy was I blindsided....lol....love to all
Thank you Paul for your service, the daily and your ESH! All ESH above me is also greatly appreciated....
I had tried everything that I could think of before I considered Al-Anon. When I arrived, my denial was in denial so it took me a long while to 'see', 'hear' and 'witness' my own insanity. I was still of the insane thought that if I could change them, then I would be happy. For those of you who are new to 12 Step recovery, please know I was clearly very unmanageable as I arrived at Al-Anon with more than 20 years clean/sober is AA. **Sigh**
I can say today I am perfectly content to be human, imperfect in so many ways. The first step for me truly opened the door to a new freedom where I came to realize that God and others did not expect perfect from me - it was all in my brain. The desire to have a Norman Rockwell family, the fairy-tale that my husband would wash my feet and the belief that only roses, love and perpetual flowers would bloom in my life - it was all me....I had a fairy-tale view of what my life should be and of what love, happiness, success, etc. were.
Step One gave me the freedom to let it all go and move down a new path. What a fantastic journey it's been. I am so grateful I finally was able to admit powerlessness and see my insanity.
Make it a great day MIP family!! (((Hugs))) to all!
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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, all for sharing your ESH on Step 1, many good points, including a reminder that we don't all travel the same path to get here (thanks Unbroken and IAH!). AlAnon still works for all of us, regardless of how we got here, and I am so grateful to share the journey with all of you
__________________
Paul
"...when we try to control others, we lose the ability to manage our own lives." - Paths to Recovery
