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 page describes a place filled with discouragement, tormented and circular thoughts, apprehension and confusion. This is the place many of us lived in before we found the miracle of AlAnon.
Today's Reminder: Every meeting we attend, page we read, and fellow member we share with takes us farther away from that place and closer to clarity, understanding, and serenity. Though we may return at times, the visits become shorter as we develop tools, experience and strength.
"Let me accept all the rich comfort available to me in this way of life, for I know it can help me in all life's trials." Anonymous
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I am filled with gratitude as I recall the level of desperation, confusion, and frustration I regularly carried with me while I struggled to face the challenges of the disease of alcoholism without AlAnon. Even though these feelings can still creep up, now I understand their source and what I can do to address them effectively.
The program and my higher power reminds me to let it begin with me, a much smaller target for my efforts than trying to change the people and things around me...what a relief for me, and for everyone I encounter in life. So grateful
__________________
Paul
"...when we try to control others, we lose the ability to manage our own lives." - Paths to Recovery
Good morning Paul - thanks for your service, the daily and your ESH.....I can so relate to your gratitude of today compared to how I 'was' when I arrived at Al-Anon. I truly felt defeated, beat-down and just broken in so many ways. As I worked the program, I could see a pattern of habitually focusing on what was wrong around me. It was so different to embrace recovery and instead focus on what I could control (me) and focus on what was working around me.
I too am so grateful for the many blessings this program has given me. I do believe I had to go through all that I went through to arrive 'to' today, and therefore do not regret my past or my pain. I'm relieved that recovery is possible for everyone and am so joyful to be a part of the journey!
Make it a great day! Off to my meeting in a while - enjoy the nice weather....weekend is going to return to a touch of winter it appears...
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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 Paul for your service. The place for me before Al-Anon can best be described as unmanageable. As today's reminder states, the more and more I work the program, the more and more my place becomes manageable.
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- Carrie
Stress is caused by being 'here' but wanting to be 'there'. Eckhart Tolle
Thanks Betty, hope your change of routine was a positive one...and that you had our midwest weather (post tornados!) to enjoy while you were at it!
Yes bunny, I knew that place, too...as I am able to look back on it, at least it is no surprise that I was at my wit's end, I was trying to manage the unmanageable. So much better results when I use my program guide to set my circle size...Love the quote
Iah, I appreciate that point about gratitude for what we've been through; that is one I am warming up to over time. The contrast is very sharp between the before and after, and therefore offers great utility in my recovery.
What a beautiful day, indeed! Spring is so close, with just a few hurdles, this weekend being one of them. I'm grabbin all of tomorrow in preparation, hope you're able, too
__________________
Paul
"...when we try to control others, we lose the ability to manage our own lives." - Paths to Recovery
