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.
Having a wild week - here's today's thoughts from the Courage to Change...
Today's reminder --- Anything and everything about me can be used for my good. If I feel insecure or frightened today, I will remember that my fear is a signal that there is something or me to learn.
Today's quote from As We Understood --- "It may not be the answer I want, but I have to remember that it may be what I need."
The things we consider our greatest weaknesses at times prove to be our greatest strengths. We get opportunities to grow that otherwise would not be available for us. The writer suggests that she'd spent a lifetime praying for courage. As a naturally shy person, sharing in meetings was frightening and fear of ridicule kept her silent. Yet, the shyness she had most of her life gifted her with the ability to listen and hear her own story in the shares of others.
Listening gave her courage over her shyness. Over time, she approached and talked with other members one-on-one. In time, she's spoken with so many one-on-one that sharing with the group was not only possible - it was comfortable.
If the fear had simply been removed, she might never have known that she is capable of acting on her own behalf. She learned that she didn't need courage to speak in front of a room of strangers; she only needed enough to keep her taking small steps. She had enough strength and enough courage to reach her goal.
I am one who does believe that most of our defects are elements of our person that we exploit or over-use or 'abuse'....I know that I am quite intelligent - so before recovery, I wanted to be certain others knew it too. I would have the 'answers' for most issues, questions, etc. It was exhausting and made me appear a 'know-it-all' and egotistical. What a gift the program gave me by suggesting sharing my own ESH when I had some was more than enough!!! I did not need to have all the answers and I certainly had no need to tell others facts/data/advice that they could learn from on their own.
I could go on and on with examples of defects that I've been able to refine, polish or minimize - depending upon 'it'. I believe we are created as good as it gets by a power greater than us and it is our own human free will and ego that has us distort them. I can now use my 'smarts' in ways of service and acts of kindness for others in need. I don't have to be more than I am, I am free to just be me.
Having a busy week full of unexpected events. So, so grateful for the gift of recovery and all of you. I drop in when I can and am so happy to find ESH to carry me forward, one day at a time!
(((Hugs)))
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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
Hello IAH Thanks for posting your thoughts on today's reading. It is a very powerful experience to look at life as a learning experience and that eveything that we encounter is there to teach us a valuable lesson that we need to learn . Many times I thought: I wish HP did not think i needed so many lessons I am tired". I did find as long as I keep living I have more to learn. Thanks for your service
IAH, thank you so much for taking time out of a demanding day (on top of a demanding stretch of days and weeks!) to share the daily and your ESH. Some very good points to ponder as I continue to examine my motives for what/when I do things. Hang in there on your wild ride!
Great point of view, Betty, I really like that...I guess I'll be living many more years 'cause I've got a lot more learnin' to do!
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Paul
"...when we try to control others, we lose the ability to manage our own lives." - Paths to Recovery
