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.
It isn't only about not drinking ...is it. I so related to this page and what he was sharing. Seeing the big picture is 20/20 eyesight. Gratitude lists are a must. (((hugs)))
My wife had a non-alcoholic addiction... it was invisible until it surfaced seven years ago and she hit rock bottom. I was so grateful to have the alanon tools at my fingertips. And the attitudes, and the acceptance... it did make all of the difference.
I look back at the damage done to the family. My own choice of partner; my own human limitations- growing up in an alcoholic home. Maybe I picked the best of a bad lot. As my mum used to say. But I was not born into a perfect world- and I was not going to get a perfect life partner.
There was always going to be work to do. And play- and letting go...
I spent my childhood 'walking on eggshells', 'walking on broken glass'... and my own family life was not perfect; but it was a vast improvement. I see family and grandchildren now- enjoying life...
...One of the things I notice is overall improvement in the quality of life- men pushing prams, for example- that was unheard of in my dad's generation.
I see the quality of life in my own country- which is okay. Something to be grateful for!
Altered attitudes aid recovery... the reading says this in similar words. It feels okay to say this, because it appears 'in the book' which is conference approved.
The writer of today's reading may well have been an adult child... dealing with the next round of hell.
Alanon has more facets than most 12 step groups... and we seem to be more diverse, at times. We adult children inside of Alanon are not alone... we have our place, and part to play. Alanon is better for us, and also better because of us... it gives us a sense of family, around which we can grow emotionally- something we are a part of.
When my brother from another mother suggests a reading, this girl chases her book down and absorbs!!! What a great daily and a lovely reminder that our program does work when we work it. One of the first 'aha' moments I had in recovery was it felt much, much better to focus on what is working and good than what is broken and 'bad'. Of course, that 'bad' was my perceptions and having a bit of crazy in me, I saw almost all things as 'negative' in some way, shape or form.
I'm grateful for recovery, my family and all that has been shared with me. I'm grateful my HP gave me enough pain to want to change and grow. I can so relate to this guy's writing and this is an awesome reading for me today!
Thank you for pointing me to this reading Jerry!! (((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
It isn't more powerful than what and how both of you have shared here. Finding the gold while mucking around in the trash of our disease was awe inspiring and what's more is that I have the memories of coming to it while never suspecting it was possible. Metaphorically it reminded me of seeing fireflies of grace and wisdom, empathy and compassion where and when I thought they didn't exist. I adopted the thought and awareness that HP is more cunning, powerful and baffling than all. Mahalo to both of you. (((hugs)))
Those 4 words - grace, wisdom, empathy and compassion were known to me yet out of reach before recovery. Thanks to both of you for reminding me that no matter what is going on in 'life', I have support and a program that can help me face it with trust in a power greater than me who does have a master plan! (((Hugs))) to both!
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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
