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.
Todays reading is about how while we may not be responsible for having been part of an alcoholic environment, we now can be accountable for consequences of our past and choices we have made.
The sentence that stuck out to me from this reading is: Many of the amends I need to make center around letting go of the past. What I know about myself is that I sometimes I have to work on the difference between setting a boundary, making a decision -and being rigid and unyielding about a circumstance, situation or person. Even the idea of letting go of a certain notion I may have- that can be difficult for me as I tend to be stubborn about holding on to an idea or perception that I believe to be true.
With the idea of second chances for myself and others in mind- I can make a decision not to dwell on a situation from my past, I can also decide not to focus on mistakes I have made but rather consider what changes I have the power to make. It is helpful to remember that my HP is with me and ready to take what I let go of.
Good Mornign Mary Great reminder. I do believe that prior to progam my entire life was spent staring at the past, reliving it , attempting to understand it so I could so how change it. i did no realize how destructive and non productive these actions were.
Enteir program I worked the steps and uncovered my motives for practicing this negative defect, as i finally saw how t it kept me stuck in yesterday. Thanks to program , making amend as the 9th Step suggests, freed me from this compulsion and I am so grateful .
Thanks for your continued service
Good morning MIP. Thank you Mary for your service and the daily. Thank you Mary and Betty for your shares and ESH. I too came to recovery with an ever-present view of all that had happened. It held me hostage and controlled much of how I thought, felt and lived. It was no picnic and I recall seeing real joy and freedom in those who came before me. They were not problem-free yet they seemed to manage their issues with grace, maturity and serenity.
I wanted what they had so dug in. Using the program, steps and a higher power, I've been able to put the past where it belongs, let go of the anger, pain and resentments and accept life on life's terms most of the time. I find it much easier today with a loving HP to see the facts, respond instead of react and let him do his job while I just keep leaning in.
Many of my amends to self and others had everything to do with that grip on the past, which affected my present in ways I did not understand until I worked the steps. I too am grateful for a better way of being, thinking and doing.
Happy Sunday - off to a meeting in a while and enjoying the freedom from my mobile phone which is in transit between AZ and KS...I have been more productive in the last 2 days and it's interesting to not be tied to a gadget!!! Make it a great day 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
Thanks for your service, Mary, and all ESH. I'm now on Step 4 with my sponsor and have hope that doing the steps will make me more free. One day at a time, I'm getting more recovered, very grateful... Happy Sunday to all :)
