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 focuses on the spiritual nature of our Higher Power (HP). We are encouraged to choose a HP of our own understanding, a god as we are familiar with or simply a program concept.
What gives it power as a spiritual concept is our willingness to humbly acknowledge something greater and more wise than ourselves. It is truly powerful when we turn to a spiritual source for guidance.
Today's Reminder: Confidence in a Higher Power activates a more fulfilling experience than when I rely just on myself.
"Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers, for there is no power but of God." Letter from Paul
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The HP concept was not a natural fit for me when I found AlAnon, but I was able to find great help and comfort from the wisdom and other tools of the program. It wasn't long before I easily acknowledged that the program was bigger than me and had more wisdom, and that was a start.
As I continued to work the program, I formed a concept of a HP that was helpful in my recovery, a visual, symbolic source of spiritual strength, comfort, and wisdom...it developed gradually, on its own, and rather unexpectedly.
My HP concept has become a very important and helpful part of my recovery, and I am so grateful for the flexibility of the program that encourages each to customize a very personal and powerful concept. I am also grateful that I did not get too agitated over this concept early on and just took what worked and left the rest for the time...
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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 Paul I do love this page.as well as the Alanon principle of choosing our own HP and your reflection on your process of accepting the concept of a Higher Power.
I am so pleased that program provided us with the ability of defining or own HP, as this gave me permission to experiment with my Spirituality and finally find the HP of my heart.
When I first entered program. many years ago, I found that I had issues with the God of my childhood, so when I needed to embrace the spirituality of the program, I looked around, saw the principles of the program at work and decided that alanon, the principles and concepts would be my HP. That worked for a time and then moving deeper into program, I discovered the "HP of my understanding" and although alanon principles are still very much a part of my HP's make upm my spirituality now embrace more and i am grateful to alanon for providing me with such a powerful stepping stone.
Thanks for your service Paul and have a lovely day
Thank you Paul for your servic. When I started the program the notion of a HP scared me because I believed my HP had abandoned me.
Acknowledging my HP was difficult for me at first, but as I worked the program I began to have brief moments of serenity and then I knew without a doubt that could only be possible through a power greater than myself.
Today I feel a constant stream of loving energy from my HP and I accept, trust and am grateful for guidance I receive. Thank you HP :)
-- Edited by _bunny_ on Monday 20th of March 2017 09:57:55 AM
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- Carrie
Stress is caused by being 'here' but wanting to be 'there'. Eckhart Tolle
Thank you Paul for your service and for the daily. Thanks to all above me for the ESH so freely given. I too struggled with the HP concept as I felt I had walked too far away to be loved again. I leaned into the experience of others who came before me for a while as well as the tools and the literature. In time, as my mind cleared, I did come to believe that the miracles going on within me and beyond me had everything to do with a power greater than any human.....and that kick-started a journey back towards a spiritual path that is perfectly imperfect!
I too feel a constant stream of positive energy so long as I stay aligned with the program as described. I have used my will to close off that stream, and am grateful to have all the tools to change that up as needed.
Thank you all for being here - love that each of you are part of my journey!!
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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
