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.
Who of us hasn't felt despair at one time or another, especially before recovery: the feeling of hopelessness and no way out. Today's page describes despair as an absence of faith, felt when we expect solutions to come only from us.
Perhaps we lost our faith, maybe we never had it. AlAnon gives us the opportunity to try out its power, if we are but willing to turn our troubles over to the god of our understanding.
Today's Reminder: Faith is not denied for those who reach for it and surrender their will to god.
"I will take comfort in unwavering faith, for without it I am helpless and alone..."
***************** I had left the faith of my youth, saw no need for it, didn't like the idea of relying on anyone or anything other than myself...and that's what got me here. Trying to fight the power of alcohol on my own humbled me and opened my willingness to try a different way to return to sanity.
Faith in the program and a higher power is coming gradually as I work daily to trade out my old ways with new, more effective and healthy approaches. My faith is growing in the principles and tools that reintroduced me to peace and serenity, and in my higher power that is always there for me...I am very grateful
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Paul
"...when we try to control others, we lose the ability to manage our own lives." - Paths to Recovery
I remember the feelings of despair and hopelessness that I have felt so many times, especially before finding the program. Learning to trust in my HP to work things out is a healing process, and I am still working at that healing.
Thank you for your service, Paul!
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Skorpi
If you are depressed, you are living in the past. If you are anxious, you are living in the future. If you are at peace, you are living in the present. - Lao Tzu
I too felt despair when I first entered the alanon program. As i sat through meetings, with an open mind, read the Steps and Slogans I very slowly saw this despair lift and faith and hope enter my soul.
I am so pleased that alanon is a Spiritual program that suggests we find and identify our own HP because this is how I was able to let go of the punishing God of my childhood and embrace an HP that is all knowledge, wisdom, loving, and compassionate.
Thanks for your service Paul and your honest share Skorpi . Have a great day
Me also - felt despair and very broken when I arrived. I had tried just about everything I knew to do and realized by attending meetings that self-reliance got me 'here' and only a power greater than I could restore me to sanity. Faith became a goal in the beginning and one day at a time, it became a part of me vs. outside of me.
I can't completely describe what happened to make it so, but I do know I was desperate enough to try what was suggested - meetings, literature, sponsor, steps, prayer, meditation...All combined or just a few - not sure - but where I am today is vastly different and way better than when I arrived.
I was in a meeting last Sunday, and the topic was gratitude. When it got to me, many, many things had been shared and what popped into my brain/mouth was that I am extremely grateful that I am genuinely comfortable in my own skin now. I realized while sitting there that in spite of real life issues, concerns, fears, etc. I no longer feel less than or better than - I am fine with what is and where I am most of the time! That for me is what faith in this program and a higher power has given to me!!
Thank you Paul for your service and the daily! Thanks to all above me for your ESH and shares. Make it a great Wednesday!
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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
