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 in courage to change is about the third step, turning our wills and lives over to the care of a higher power.
The author shares that at first, they turned over only the really big problems, things about which the author had no choice and clearly no ability to control or improve. Through the process of recovery, the author began to trust this HP, and has realized that the third step is an ongoing process that offers the opportunity to constantly improve their conscious contact with their HP. Now, the author is in the habit of asking HP for guidance, no matter what decision is to be made, big or small. The author shares that, although they can't always know HP's will, they can seek greater spiritual awareness each day by becoming willing to accept guidance.
Today's Reminder: Faith takes practice. I will include my HP in more of my actions and decisions today
Today's Quote: "Step three suggests I teach myself, from this moment on, to be receptive, to open myself to help from my Higher Power." Al-Anon's Twelve Steps & Twelve Traditions
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When I first worked the steps, step three was a hard one. I had some pretty negative experiences with the faith community of my childhood, and perceived that as my HP abandoning me. In working step three, I found it necessary to get to know HP apart from that faith community. I still struggle with some of the approaches to step three, because the vocabulary sometimes triggers such a painful emotional response. Navigating that is my project as I work the steps this time
I have developed a trusting relationship with the HP of my adult understanding, and I use the slogan "When in doubt, don't" to allow myself the time to wait and listen for HP's guidance. I take uncertainty as a sign from HP that I ought to wait a bit longer while HP works out the details without my help. Taking time each and every day to decide to trust in HP and engage in spiritual growth is vital to my recovery. I really like today's author's suggestion to ask for guidance from HP about all decisions. I once heard it said that sometimes, it feels like we have to stop living to take time to seek guidance from HP, but if we live in a constant state of connection, then seeking guidance becomes the way we live, and not an extra thing we have to make time for. I'm working on that approach today.
I hope you make it a great day!
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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 Skorpi The Third Step seemed to simply flow after I "Came to believe in a Power greater than myself , the 2nd Step". Knowing how to incorporate this into my life was not easy, however as the reading suggests, I did try to include HP in my decision making by using the serenity prayer when confused and not reacting automatically. Working the remaining Steps helped me to turn my will over daily .
Thanks you for your continued service and enjoy your day.
Happy Hump Day MIP!! Thank you Betty and skorpi for your shares and ESH. Thank you also for your service and the daily skorpi.
I too felt very disconnected from any HP based on what I learned as a youngster. I actually was concerned and had great doubts about having a connection with a HP as I was so removed and had tons of anger. Yet, as with all things in recovery, others had real, genuine serenity and joy so I figured if I just kept trying to do what was suggested, I had a chance at the same.
I am in awe of the genuine love and peace I have based on this spiritual program. I have a completely different concept of a HP which also means I have a vastly different relationship than I was taught about. I am imperfect and still try to take back my will at times, yet I am instantly reminded that my HP get's me and has got 'this'.
Make today a great day folks - my little people are coming over tonight for a play-date. I have no doubt that Mickey Mouse waffles will be the requested dinner as they think it's super cool that we put 'stuff' in this hot thing and Mickey's face comes out!!! I learn so much from these little people - especially how to find pure and genuine joy in the simple things of life.
(((Hugs))) to 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
Skorpi, thank you for your service. I really love coming on here in the mornings and check what the C2C says... even if that's all the time I have to do!
I especially liked your share, Skorpi, b/c I had similar feelings about the organized religion I was brought up in. To add to that, I was supremely pissed off that God would "do this to me again," (meaning my family going through addiction again). I mean I held onto that anger for a long time!! I must say for any newcomer here, it really stalled me at Step 3. But with guidance here and in the F2F rooms, I was told to be "gentle" with myself. To move forward "As If." So I did. Faking it until I make it! LOL!
Then I took Iamhere's tagline to heart - Practice the Pause. I really used that. Every. Damn. Day. And you know what? I began to realize that "Pause" is the time that my HP (the HP of MY understanding) inserts the quiet little voice in my head/soul that guides me to my next "right decision." When I realized that, I redid Step 3. I am currently still working Step 4. But that is OK. These are not ideas you breeze through, slam your paper down, and say "Done!" No, these are the tools that help you find out more about YOU.
Thank you all for your shares today! IAH, Mickey Mouse waffles sound delicious! Butter and powdered sugar on mine, please! Enjoy your little people!
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"The wolf that thrives, is the one you feed." - Cherokee legend
"Hello, sun in my face. Hello you who made the morning and spread it over the fields... Watch, now, how I start the day in happiness, in kindness." Mary Oliver
thanks needed to read this as i am having a hard time praying .. but instead of expecting perfection .. this reading helps me remember it's just another step toward improving .. progress .. gives a little breathing space for being human .. when those painful negative experiences come up for me i view it today as a flag to search me .. what's really going on inside me .. the first place my mind goes to is 'they .. giving 'them too much power 'over me .. making 'them my authority rather than God .. thank you for sharing that because it's a helpful reminder for me .. think pain is one of those things i want to escape and tell myself doesn't happen in recovery but beginning to see it's a package deal .. the hope is what's 'hiding behind it .. the 'assets or gifts we 'uncover if an as we 'search .. your thread gives me more hope .. thx again
Thank you all for your shares. I got a LOT out of each one of them. I'm not writing out your ESH's but am sure writing out the slogans and things that I need to make the day work. MeTwo2, you summed it all up well. The hope is what's hiding behind it. Why on earth did I think this was a fast journey. It's not, but it is so worth it!!!!
Thank you for your service, Skorpi, and thank all for your ESH! I kind of did step 3 today with my sponsor, so this reading could not be more timely for me! I feel grateful for you all and for the program now, more than usual! The sentence about being receptive striked me, that's so hard for me really. Especially when I don't feel spiritually ok (which is not at all a rare ocurence), I tend to not be able to (unwilling?) listen and learn, I dive into my miserable thoughts so deeply I feel "too bad/confused/nervous" to be receptive to help and new ideas, which, in fact, couldbe just what I need to feel better! The term "rocket science", as our brother here sometimes writes, comes to my mind, seems very accurate!
