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 All. The ODAT reading for today 7-28 speaks about progress in alanon recovery . It notes that progress in the Al-Anon program may appear to be lacking but that if we keep coming back and using the tools, meetings, slogans, steps, sponsors, and daily readings. one day we will find that our most difficult issue has been lifted and that we have been set free.
The reading points out the story of a stonecutter, who uses a sledgehammer and strikes the stone several times ,without apparent effect , until the last blow when the stone shatters.
The reading suggests that this is how it is with our defects -- we use our tools daily .and the inner attitudes that support the negative attitude are slowly but surely being eroded-- then one day we will discover that we are responding differently. I know I experienced this miraculous change in my own life. After my husband passed, and I was responsible for all bills , I was terrified to open the mailbox or answer the phone. I kept showing up ,using the serenity prayer and the slogan:" let go and let God" walking through the fear and then one day I could open my mailbox and answer the phone in serenity . HP provided the courage for me to keep showing up, opening the mailbox and answering the telephone until serenity surfaced and to this day. I can still remember the joy. I experienced when I first realized that I was free. Keep coming back
Betty, thank you for sharing and for your service. It's been so true for me, the miracle happened that my most difficult issues were lifted and I was set free.
As you know, I also lost a husband with this disease. I sometimes reflect that, if I had not gone through the difficult times that happened, I would not have encountered this program, tools, and the new friends I have met which give me a new purpose in life.
Thank you Betty for the daily, your service and your ESH.....truly grateful you were able to fill in today - life happens and my day is unfolding different than planned...
All I know is I am able to be reasonably functional even when life throws lemons my way only because of my recovery and the grace of those who came before me. I have been reminded in the last 24 hours +/- how many miracles truly happen and how grateful I am.
I also have been reminded that I can slip into negative thinking if I am faced with unexpected events....yet I can also choose to adjust my attitude and just do the next right thing.
Have a lovely day dear MIP family! Thanks again Betty!!
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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
This program is absorbed in small doses. I go to meetings and listen and learn about other people and file away in my head what worked for them. I may not need that information for weeks or months, but one day a situation occurs and I remember what I heard from someone in one of the meetings and I try that. And I see my results and I learn from them. Eventually it becomes second nature. I can say that again, "eventually it becomes second nature". It works.