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 daily reading in Hope for Today discusses how we can be addicted to the chaos/drama the disease brings, just as the alcoholic is addicted to the alcohol. While we may realize that it's damaging and insane, we are still 'comfortable' in it because it's consistent and patterned. It's possible that upon arriving at Al-Anon, and hearing the word serenity - we maybe even assume.....boring!!
As we progress through our recovery with the tools suggested, we find pockets of serenity. What we usually find is that it doesn't feel boring - it actually feels pretty darn good. The peacefulness feels calming and way better than expected.
We learn to turn to our tools/program and each time we find life unmanageable, we return to the suggested tools. We feel better each time and life becomes better. Over time for most, serenity becomes the goal ... one day at a time. The process of recovery is anything but boring. We grow and find real life is far healthier excitement than the comfortable chaos/drama of before.
The Thought for the Day ----- Recovery may well be the most exciting ride I will ever take in my life.
I came to Al-Anon very broken by this disease. I was so broken that I didn't even know that it was me, not them, who needed some hefty recovery - for my own sanity and any chance at serenity. I really believed that living with and loving 3 active alcoholics while maintaining my own sobriety would NEVER result in an ounce of serenity - scared deeply that I would have to split away if I was to recover...
My story aligns with the reading, the more effort I put into the program as designed and kept my focus on me, the better I felt. The better I felt, the healthier my choices. Improved life/living choices resulted in pockets of peace and serenity. As my sanity and confidence returned, I did realize that I (nobody else) is 100% accountable for my peace, my joy and my life experience.
So grateful Recovery gives us serenity, sanity and service for others. I am living my best life, one day at a time and it would never 'be' if it were not for Al-Anon and those who came before me.
Make it a great Friday 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
Good morning IAH, I too can identify readily with the reading and your experience strength and hope. I know when I entered program and I heard people looking forward to "serenity," I thought how boring serenity must be. I want drama, excitement, and to live my life with gusto.
I kept coming back using the tools and one day I actually had a hint of the feeling of serenity and was so stunned that I wanted it continually on a regular basis. My sponsor explained that serenity is a peaceful place within from which we can live life with courage and wisdom. It does not eliminate gusto or drama but gives us tools in order to cope in healthy fashion.
I hope your trip was MARVELOUS Betty! We missed you! Mine was good and the parents are good!
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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
AMEN sister - AMEN!!! Softball is back up this week - ready to play some ball!
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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 for your service, IAH, and both your shares. Since I first came to Alanon I knew I wanted that serenity, peacefulness I felt in the meeting from the other members of the group. "It's peaceful" is on my gratitude list most days lately, though I suppose it really should be "I feel peaceful", since craziness pops up often via some phone conversations with my abf. But living separately has undoubtedly increased my serinity immensely, and this last week I was actually really ok even when he said some crazy stuff over the phone. I'm not going back to living with his alcoholism under the same roof now that I've gotten free. It's been peaceful today :) I'm so grateful to Alanon, and all of you, MIP folk, and people from my meetings - always on my gratitude list!!!
Thanks for the welcome back and the shares!!! Happy Saturday 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
