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 the life changing effects of Alanon. Like the writer, I went to alanon convinced that it would help me fix my life and my alcoholic. I thought I would leave meetings and all of a sudden have the answers. My earliest meetings were filled with frustration and anger because that was not happening. Then I started to listen and learned from everyone who shared at meetings. I began to recognize myself in the readings and began to get stronger by working the steps and with the help of a patient and compassionate sponsor.
I have always liked hearing that this is a gentle program. For those of us who have lived with alcoholism in our lives, working a gentle program is a good fit. But-- working the program is also what it takes. As I was reading this morning I was reminded about how diet and exercise can transform us. If you only exercise but are eating terribly, you will not feel the same effects as when you are fueling your body with clean eating and physical exercise. It made me think of showing up at meetings but not following up with reading or self reflection. Not that there would be no positive effect for that, but that the overall transformation might be felt in a more profound way as the program is embraced more fully.
Do I always feel like running 2-3 miles ? Nope! am I always in the mood to focus on a reading and consider the steps? Nope! Do all of those things help to create a healthier version of myself? Yes!
Good Morning Mary Thanks for sharing your thought on the reading from HFT. i agree. program is a process and when I found alanon I too wanted a quick fix because I felt that i did not have the time to keep coming back and learning new tools. I am glad I did!!! I like you began to listen an learn and discovered that many of my attitudes (developed in my youth) were askew, and that I needed to slowly uncover the destructive errors in my thinking and develop new tools. That does take time and I am pleased that I kept coming back. Thanks for your service-- I forgot this AM that we traded days so I posted a reading as well please forgive.
-- Edited by hotrod on Sunday 24th of September 2017 07:16:05 AM
Thank you Mary for the daily, your service and your ESH! Thank you Betty also for your ESH. I am one who loves multiple dailies - the more recovery...the better!!!
I came wanting a fix for others --- my ego thought I was just fine and needed no change/changing. I was extremely frustrated after my first meeting and decided it wasn't for me. I went back and continued in my controlling, crazy way for a bit longer, and then returned with an open mind needing help - for me.
I was still frustrated that the program suggested I needed to work on me, change me, etc. I wanted others to change too. I neglected to hear that HP has the master plan, and his will - not mine would take the lead. **Sigh** - I can be a stubborn gal!
I hadn't been around 'gentle' people much - I had this idea in my brain from FOO that gentle, kind, quieter folks were not driven, not self-starters, etc. I discovered in my step work that I had spent most of my life attracting reactive, boisterous, walk-over-other people because that's what I 'put off' as my mojo.
With time, I've become better and have learned to keep my mind open as there are lessons to be learned from each encounter I have. Perpetually patient people still baffle me as patience for me is a practiced skill yet I can see how beautiful they are with their gentle, kind, loving spirits. The program gave me the gift of hope - hope to be a better version of me, hope to be compassionate towards others always and hope to handle life on life's terms, no matter the outcome. This program has changed me and I enjoy the me of today way more than the me of before!
Happy, happy Sunday 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
