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 step two 'came to believe that a Power greater than myself could restore me to sanity.'
The writer speaks to the idea that for him/her, the word sanity was not comfortable because it was a direct reminder of the INsanity he/she felt from growing up in an alcoholic home. Gradually the writer began to focus on the word 'power' and how the journey can be made from helplessness and insanity, to power over our own affairs and sanity.
I balked at the word sanity also, but for different reasons. I was resistant to the idea that anything in my life was so severe that it could be called insanity. I was really tight with denial in those days- so waiting for my then AH in the middle of the night, looking through his things, attempting to talk rationally with a drunk....insanity?? Yes, absolutely but it took me a long time to accept that. What I have notified personally is that since I have recognized some of those situations (and others) as insanity, I also have gravitated away from chaos in general.
Turning to a Higher Power and owing rhe humility necessary to understand cannot do it alone and my hP is with me has also made all of the difference in terms of working a program.
Good Morning Mary Great topic.!!. I must admit that I had no difficulty with the word "sanity", as I was convinced that i had lost my sanity years earlier as i attempted to deal with the disease of alcoholism. Coming to "beiieve" was my stumbling block and I needed to keep coming back, listening at meetings, with an open mind and using the slogans until i found that I had "come to believe".
Love every Step and appreciate your service.. Have a great day
Happy Tuesday to one and all! Thank you Mary for your service and the daily.. Thank you Mary and Betty for your ESH. I came to recovery with a stubborn streak and set of patterns that suggested to me that everyone else was crazy - I was the normal one. As with many things in my journey, I needed a great sponsor and loving friends to help me 'see' my contributions to the chaos and over time, I did come to believe I too was insane and my own best thinking and attitudes got me here!
Once I could see and understand many of my ways were a bit insane and left of center, it was much easier to believe a power greater than I would and could restore me to sanity if I got out of the way. My self-doubt and ego were huge road blocks keeping me from the sunlight of the spirit and I had to learn what it meant to surrender.
I too came to realize I could heal and deal using the slogans, steps, sponsor and program. I now have no issues admitting my own insanity and I do believe the only path to proper processing is a spiritual one. Grateful today for recovery and all that it gives me! Make it a lovely day 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, everyone! Thanks for bringing this topic, Mary!
When I took the first two steps, I was so exhausted and defeated, it was pretty easy for me to say, "Well, nothing I have done so far has worked, let's give this a shot." It was a relief to realize that a power greater than myself could help sort things out, because I was at my absolute limit. Turning my problems over, realizing that I didn't have to make things better, and I didn't have to make my situation a sane one by myself, nor did I have to try to do so anymore was nothing short of pure relief. With step 2, I collapsed into the program, and allowed myself to rest.
I didn't understand most of the slogans at first, but I did discover a peaceful healing that I needed to make my way through the rest of the steps.
I hope everyone has a wonderful day!
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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 guess I felt I was destined to be miserable for my entire life, and thought I was nuts and everyone else fine. I didn't recognize the insanity of my Foo, and partners that followed. After all, what was wrong was me! I later learned that it wasn't all me and my fault. That brought some relief. But with Alanon and the steps, I can see the difference between sanity and not. I plan to keep striving to improve. And although all days aren't' great, I do rely on HP and my tools to get me quickly back on right path. Thanks everyone, Lyne
