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.
The ODAT reading for April 16 speaks about the slogan:"Let go and Let God" . It suggests that once we are able to let go of a problem- solutions do unfold. These solutions are ones that we never dreamed possible' so that when we see things unfold like this,we come to realize that another person's actions and fate are not in my hands. The sooner we accept this, the sooner good things will begin to unfold in our lives. The answer is to simply let go of my will and let God's way unfold It is then that we find peace of mind and realize that our stubborn self-will can only hinder working out of our problems. If I really want to be free and build a satisfying life myself. I must first release everyone, including the alcoholic from my efforts to directed to control
The quote is "May I always keep in the forefront of my mind that I am not all wise and all-powerful. Only God is that and it is on him that I must rely.
Great quote, great page...thank you for your service, Betty.
Before Recovery, I thought of myself as a humble person, and in many ways I was. Yet I thought I knew much more than I actually did about what was best for others, including my qualifier. I insisted on pushing for adoption of my solution, based on what I thought was best.
When I read this page I thought of two visuals: 1) holding sand with a flat, open hand vs gripping with a closed fist; the harder I grip and try to hold by force, the more I lose what I want to keep. 2) The other was of the agitation of a monkey when it has reached into a jar for an item but can't withdraw it's closed fist through the narrow opening. He is trapped as long as he refuses to let go, yet he won't get what he is after even if he stubbornly refuses to let go.
I have let a lot of sand through my fingers over the years, and also have been a silly monkey, stubburnly hanging onto to things, wondering why I felt trapped and still didn't get what I wanted. My life has so much more peace and serenity in it since I began trying to incorporate AlAnon's wisdom in my daily affairs...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
Thank you Betty for your service and the daily....thanks to all for your ESH. I too could read this each day as a reminder I can't, He can, I'll let him!!!
Happy, happy Easter 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
Thank you Betty. I need this reminder daily to let go of problems. Not only have I tried to manage my qualifiers life I think I know best what others need as well. It is so freeing when I let go and sit back and allow things to just be.
I sit here and cry that God's will was so so final. It hurts and I'm not understanding it fully but I pray that I will be shown that it will get better. If not what will my final be?
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Lord, put your arm around my shoulder and your hand over my mouth
Speak only when you feel that your words are better than your silence.
"May I always keep in the forefront of my mind that I am not all wise and all-powerful
Thanks betty .. i find myself in a space lately of trying to will things to happen again .. (force) .. as if i can 'think it so .. into happening the way i want .. or think i need etc .. it's very hard to let go and let god .. realising so many things in my life have not been and still are not gods will (around me either) etc ... i know for me i have used that many times to try to justify and excuse my own choices or lack of etc .. but i have to try to cling tight right now to the reality if i let god be a part of my entire life .. everything good comes from god .. wasn't his will for me to have suffered much of what i have .. but trying to remember if i turn it to higher power .. he will change the things that are in need of changing if i let him .. it really does hurt .. hard to allow the process to unfold naturally .. nothing feels natural about what i am walking through at this minute .. but I hurt because my perception is distorted in the situation i am going through right now .. i don't understand this one .. have to trust maybe the most important thing right now is that hp understands ..
Thanks Everyone. I remind myself that when I let go and let God and turn my will over the eleventh Step states that I iwll be given the" power to carry it out ". I was afraid I would fail and teh nI was assured that althougth i might not get when I wanted I would be able to do what i needed and in the long run it would work out. I certainly did not get what I wanted but it did work out and I am happy.
