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.
Good morning Everyone-
Today's reading is about tradition 8 and that primarily our program is a non professional one that for the most part does not offer pay (or charge anyone) for its services.
When I read this I think of the expression 'you get what you give' in the sense that the reward is in the giving. When I first became able to speak up at meetings I always felt so good after sharing. In the beginning I thought it was because I was unburdening myself but as I see it now it was because I was giving.
For me, tradition 8 is a reminder that the purpose of our program is to support those who have or have had alcoholic friends and family members. I am grateful for it!
Hope everyone enjoys their Tuesday!
Mary
Hi Mary I love the Traditions!!! Tradition 8 is a great reminder that Alanon is a "fellowship of equals" . It is here, and at meetings that we each have the responsibility to carry the Alanon message and support each other as we recover from the effects of this s dreadful disease.
I too found that giving (in the alanon healthy way) is a tremendous gift to my recovery.
Have a great day and thanks for your service.
Good morning all - thank you Mary for your service and for the daily. Thank you both for your ESH.
I have always been intrigued by the traditions....being in business forever and in volunteering, it is the politics that always made me roll my eyes. Power, prestige, pecking order - all of that is frustrating to me ... all I want to do is learn, add value and contribute to the success of the mission.
So - arriving at recovery and hearing that we are all equals and there's no pecking order intrigued me. What I have experienced is this is the only group I've been a part of that's true to it's mission. I have never felt less than or greater than others in recovery. For me, this equality gives me freedom to speak my truth, straight from my heart without filters. I know that even when my thinking is crazy I will NOT be judged or advised. I am loved no matter my spiritual condition in that moment on that day!!!
I also love the concept that you get what you give. I have found this to be true in recovery and in my relationships. Finding the comfort in taking the high road and choosing to be happy vs. right all the time enhances my spiritual condition, which in turn enhances my serenity.
Hope each of you have a marvelous Tuesday! Another unusual lovely cool spring day in summer here! It's so refreshing!!
__________________
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
So true; what an amazing and healing thing it was for me to come to terms with the idea that I might actually have something worth giving! And that it didn't need to be perfect, and I didn't need to have all of the answers...and that I also didn't need any "giving" I did to be followed up by making sure that it was appreciated, or received the right way, or any of that. Learning that giving was as much for me as for the other person, and that this is a GOOD thing (and not proof of some inherent selfishness) opened up a whole new world for me
What a gift.
I know the topic is not about tradition 7, but about tradition 8. Bit I learned something about 7 here, that resonates with your share on 8.
I learned that our service is a form of donation... but also our sharing, and by being here and showing up we are offering support. We offer this freely and gain freely in return... thanks... ...
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