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 Step 12. The writer suggests that reading this step - "Having had a spiritual awakening as a result of these steps....." gave her hope for a better tomorrow when first arriving at Al-Anon. Her journey through recovery and the steps, sometimes painful and often slow, did arrive at an amazing place - a sense of her God and his love for her. The change was such that she knew she'd never be the same, and she felt whole.
Today's reminder --- The steps offer me a road map for living that leads to a spiritual awakening and beyond. I can't skip ahead to the end of the journey - which can at times be a hard one - but I can put one foot in front of the other and follow the directions I've been given, knowing that others who have gone before me have received more along the way than they had ever dreamed.
Today's quote --- from As We Understood.... "The first time I ever heard the Twelve Steps read at a meeting, I became very still. I felt I was not breathing. . . I was just listening with my whole being. . . I knew deep within me that I was home."
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My experience is very similar to the daily....I showed up wanting a solution for the drinking and behaviors of others. I was broken, defeated, angry, anxious and unable to focus well on anything. I was in denial that I played any part in the chaos and insanity and almost had a 'mightier than thou' attitude as a front. Deep down, I knew that I was barely surviving day by day.
Yet, when welcomed into a meeting and keeping an open mind, a small amount of peace arrived, even if just for that one hour. A few 24 hours later now, I can honestly say that I have no doubts that my God loves me - imperfect and human - exactly as I am. Even better, he also loves all - imperfect and human - exactly as they are.
Working this program, especially the steps gave me a deeper insight into who I am and what I really want/need from life. As I've continued practicing this program, both of these have become really simple. I am grateful for Al-Anon, recovery, MIP and a God of my understanding who expects nothing from me except being human and imperfect.
Happy Friday all - we got a bit of a spring break in January and I'm taking advantage - golfing with a program friend this afternoon! Make it a great day!
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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
I remember that when I started working in the program, I found a lot of hope in step 12, and I also thought that I'd do the steps once, and be done with them. I am a follow-the-rules kind of person, and I thought if I could just figure out how to work the steps, I'd go through them quickly and efficiently, and come out on the other side better and happier, with alcoholic behavior no longer influencing my life.
What I found instead was that the 12 steps are a path by which I can continuously live my life, and strive for ongoing improvement. That actually took a lot of pressure off me, I didn't have to "get it right" right away, and I could work the steps, making the progress that I needed to make at the time, and come back to them with fresh eyes thanks to the progress I had made.
I admit, I was a bit concerned about what would be next after step 12. It's been quite a relief to know that "what is next" is step one.
I hope you have a great day today! We are supposed to have warmer temperatures as well, and I hope that the ice may melt off the roads and driveway a bit.
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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
Good Morning IAH and Skorpi Thank you for shring your ESH regarding this important reading I can so identify with the quote as I too sat very still as I heard the 12 steps read and thought" here is what I have been looking for my entire life- Guidelines that guarantees a powerful result-- "A spiritual Awakening" was that promise. I have experienced several during th time in program and continue to marvel at the gifts, Enjoy the day and Thanks for your service IAM
-- Edited by Iamhere on Sunday 31st of January 2021 12:49:56 PM
Thank you for the reminder and I can relate. That stillness still happens when I hear the 12 steps, as my heart settles into a peaceful place of relief and serenity. The program is a tremendous blessing that I can return to time and again to forgive myself for my defects and remind myself what is truly important.
Thanks all for your ESH and shares! I did go to a new meeting yesterday and it was good. I plan to try other new meetings simply because I was in need of some change in my recovery. I can honestly admit that walking through the door of a new meeting almost feels like walking in again for my first meeting. I do really, really well with routine yet I also know that I can stop 'listening' if I don't mix things up once in a while.
Also - for anybody wondering - being a novice golfer, and playing in 35 mph winds is not a good mix!!! Completely crazy trying to hit that ball in the wind, but we had a great time and fellowship is always 'wonderful'.
(((Hugs)))
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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
