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.
Thoughts on HP: The writer says that he/she thought of God as his adversary , and she was not going to submit to His will. But over time Alanon taught him that surrendering did not mean "submission." It meant that she could stop fighting reality, and admit that she was not in control. By these awarenesses, he could achieve serenity and see that the world was in good hands.
Reminder: Today I can be grateful that the earth will continue to revolve without any help from me. I am free to live my own life, safe in the knowledge that a Highter Power is taking care of the world, my loved ones, and myself.
Quote from One Day at a Time in Alanon: The First Step prepares us for a new life, which we can achieve only by letting go of what we cannot control, and by undertaking, one day at a time, the monumental task of setting our world in order through a change in our own thinking.
------------------------------------
I can recall early in program, that the idea of Letting Go and Letting God seemed impossible and scary. If I stopped trying to control the A, what on earth would happen? However what was happening was horrible! All my attempts to control did not help my A, and I became buried under a heavy load of unhappiness. Finally able to admit I was powerless, started the beginning of my true freedom, and what a relief! Each time I remind myself I am powerless , I can breathe again, Lyne
Great post and powerful advice to live by. One day at a time and let go and let god. These take practice for sure, but they really do free us to start making some changes that can bring about a peace.
Good Morning Lyne Thanks for posting your thoughts on this important principle i too did not have a relationship with the God of my "misunderstanding" when i entered program.\ How happy I was to discover that program suggested that I could trust an HP of MY own understanding How important that was!!! My HP is defined to me as: perfect, love, compassion,, empathy, courage and wisdom. I am so grateful for this program.
Thanks for your service
The part of today's reading that really stood out to me was "The first step prepares us for a new life". There is so much hope and promise in that one little statement! When I started working the program, I did not trust HP, and it was hard for me to learn to do this, but what a wonderful new life I have, thanks to my willingness to learn to trust HP!
Thanks for your service, Lyne. I hope you have a wonderful day.
__________________
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
Thank you Lyne for your service and the daily....thanks to all for your shares and ESH. I too arrived at recovery with an unhealthy view of God, prayer, self-will vs. God's will, etc. I felt as if I'd turned my back a long time ago, was the ugly step-child and was left in the corner to fend for myself.
I really cringed at the mention of God is the steps. I really, really thought the joy and peace others had would never be mine as I truly felt hugely disconnected from any power greater than I. My ego also reminded me often that self-reliance was a much better plan.
I had some re-engineering to do with my thinking/attitudes/actions. I am so glad that nobody told me, "I Must...." or "I Should...." or pushed organized religion, their concept of HP, etc. on me. I really believe I would have taken off fast and furiously.
My concept of HP has changed and I do feel loved, and trust now that what is is what is to be and my best is good enough. I do feel free most days to live, love and laugh - such a change from BR (Before Recovery).
Happy Monday all - make it a great day!
__________________
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
Early on I was suspicious that the program was a remodeled religion and I was leery of it because religion was part of the disease in my life. In Hawaii where early missionary churches swarmed the natives trying to create numbers of "saved" men and women one sect took down my family worse than the disease of alcoholism and the other as if they had to become the new ruling class. I didn't trust even the program because of it and was willing.
I didn't lose a trust in God just the people which paid off for me. Returning home from work one day and suffering the emotional and mental trauma of another breaking/broken alcoholic relationship I sat in my van and screamed at God. I hammered on the steering wheel and trusted I would not be ashes after the rant included the best and worse profanity I could come up with and I hoped God would take it personally and God did. When I was done going off on God I opened the door and stepped out of my van to the ground and there in front of me was a definition of the international sign of peace...that's the dove...and this one was a St. Francis of Assisi dove with a black crucifix on its back. This was not a tame store bought raised bird...there was no banding on its leg...I use to raise birds. I stooped down to the bird and put my hands out to it and it walked into my palms and sat (I'm crying again at the memory). I fanned it's wing feathers and looked to see that it was unblemished while I was calmed. I got the message from HP..."be at peace" and then I was. I let the dove release to the tree branch above me and went inside my home.
This event went on for 24 hours and reached out to touch a sponsee who also was going thru a very similar alcoholic trauma with his alcoholic wife. The dove also went to abide with him also. I no longer believe that anything is beyond and impossible for HP to use to calm us, HP's children and to calm and elate our spirits. This share could be longer but I will end it here. Thanks for the support. (((((hugs))))
-- Edited by Jerry F on Monday 9th of October 2017 12:33:44 PM
