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.
he C2C reading June 23 speaks about the Al-Anon principle of learning to be honest with ourselves. The reading suggests that we do this to cultivate our spiritual growth . The reading also suggests that such honesty allows us to really look at ourselves, share these discoveries with others and so move forward. We can also learn to make amends for past wrongs,
The quote is powerful it states:"There is no dignity unless thee is honesty.
Thank you Betty for the daily and your service,
Being honest with myself does release a lot of stress.im now working on my 8 th step,I do and am being honest with myself as I become willing to make my amends......lu
Todays reading really hits home. I am watching as my the disease progresses in my AH. The roller coaster of the attempts to stick to agreements such as (we made a commitment a couple weeks back......to only drink after he gets home vs driving and drinking...I could not stick with no alcohol in the home due to this area and feel any peace) no drinking and driving and his emotional roller coaster of realizing he's not keeping this commitment.....etc
I feel sad for him as this unfolds but other than that, I feel removed from any negative emotions about it???? I was pondering this in my prayer time yesterday before he came home pretty lit and angry/edgy....my prayer is that if I don't react to any of his disease.....there is a greater chance of him recognizing the issue. I know this may not happen but today I don't have to feed into it and I don't have to feel it's my fault he is drinking and driving. I can go about my own life when he's in a place the alcohol is changing his moods and behavior vs trying to figure it all out.....react in ways that may give him reason to place the old alcohol blame game if that came out right.......it takes two to play the game of blame....if I don't play or respond to the gripes, he's left to himself and his own battle.....
I'm so grateful for this program and all of you here! Had this escalated months ago, I would have taken it all personally, tried to correct him and been upset that he didn't keep his commitment. I know it's the disease doing this and not him. I don't feel like waging a war with a bottle of booze these days.
I struggle with being honest with myself. Coming out of denial over what happened in my alcoholic marriage was a start at being honest, but I still have a tendency to be in fantasy land or to create things in my mind that are far from the truth.
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Never grow a wishbone where your backbone ought to be!
Thank you, Betty. Today's reading was a much needed reminder for me. Through my life I've prided myself on being honest with others. But how honest have I or am I being with myself? That's a more difficult kind of honesty for me because I've been in denial for so many years about the alcoholism/addiction and my codependency. The more honest I can be with myself, the better I feel. The reading reminded me to rely on my HP (God) for guidance and help to develop honesty and grow as a person.
Great shares everyone! Thank you for helping me today!
I especially identify with your post, sakina. Thank you for being here!
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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
Thank you Betty for your service and the daily. Thank you all for your ESH and shares! I had to work the steps in this program to understand what self-honesty really was AND to find freedom from the denial I lived with for so long as well as the fantasy-land thinking I had lived with for so long.
Today, it is practicing the pause, and leaning into my HP that helps me see the reality and truth in front of me instead of the distorted thoughts my brain conjures up resulting from living with alcoholism. I have come to believe and accept that every single person put into my life is there for a reason and not to torment, hurt, annoy or aggravate me....I am one of many, no better and no worse and we are all doing our best to live life one day at a time!
When people ask how recovery works, I simple say HOW it works - Honesty, Open Mind/Heart and Willingness. Happy Saturday to one and all - happy Weekend too!
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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