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 is about honesty. Alcoholism, the family disease, brings about denial for almost all affected. To recover, heal and deal with our lives, we need to be truthful with ourselves as we continue to review our own attitudes and actions each day. This honest reflection allows us to be humble enough to reach out to others as equals and to continue to grow in every area of our life.
Being totally honest requires courage. The courage to change the things we can is found in our continuously developing spiritual relationship with a higher power greater than ourselves. Admitting that someone we love has a drinking problem beyond our control and many other things are beyond our influence is not an easy step. This is where the steps and a power greater than us is necessary as a source of strength and help.
Today's Reminder --- I know that honestly is an essential part of the Twelve Steps. I am willing to be more honest with myself today.
Today's Quote --- "Where is there dignity unless there is honestly?" from Marcus Tullius Cicero
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Before recovery, I considered myself honest, ethical and of high integrity. When the subject of honesty came forward, I truly half-listened as I felt I was an honest person - believing I was 'there' for moving forward in my recovery.
What I came to realize is my level of honesty was a great start. However, when I continued to assume I could control, fix, lead, change or cure others, I was clearly not rigorous with how I applied honesty. I needed to truly work the steps as best I could, and embrace the Serenity Prayer as it, for me, spells out exactly my truth in thriving vs. surviving my earthly existence.
Recovery has brought me many tools and taught me many things. One stands up as useful every day, many times per day - the gift of Pause/Pray. Practicing this often/always in my waking moments gives me the ability to consider my truth in a honest way. It is during these pauses where I can often 'see' clearly that my best service is prayer for another vs. fixing, controlling, mothering, etc. I also am often reminded during the pause that what's happening right now, in this instance, is truly not about me at all...
When I am aligning myself spiritually, I am fully aware of my imperfect nature and no concerned as a power greater than me has the master plan. I can breathe deeply and feel the presence of peace in me and all around me. It is through total honesty that I got to know the true me and not the actor I previously gave to others.
TGIF - so glad it's Friday! We are to have a break in the hot weather here, and I welcome a cooler weekend. Make it a lovely day MIP family!!
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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
Great topic IAH I do believe my "honesty was clouded by denial and with the ability to face life o life's terms my honest improved greatly as did my relationships .
Thanks for your service.
my "honesty was clouded by denial and with the ability to face life o life's terms my honest improved greatly as did my relationships . Thanks for your service.
Oh yea, I thought I was so honest before recovery, and basically I was, but there were areas where I was NOT at all honest...."oh he shoved me but it was my fault..I shold have been quiet....its not that bad..he was drunk but I know he loves me" I remember saying that to the crisis councellor when he went with me ONE time for therapy....I followed up until the money ran out but the councellor told me point blank that I needed to see it for what it is...accept it...hes a drunk and an abusive one at that and that I deserved a better and safer life....oh yea, this guy spot on......I was open, willing but not being totally honest with myself as to how screwed up my life really was and was till I got into recovery...I work alanon, CoDA and also ACA because of the alcohol abuse in my family...I even drank to numb MY pain, but thanks to the universe , I never got hooked, but yea, I self medicated..escaped from my pain until I found recovery and I have no desire to "numb out" however I do binge on junk food once in a while and its the Co-addict in me doing that....I accept it now...I am emotionally sober ONE day at a time...sometimes one HOUR at a time if it is a bad patch I am going through
Thank you Aline for your wonderful posts on the daily literature...I love reading the great stuff on this board....Glad I am here
