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.
The ODAT reading for June 26 refers to the spiritual awakening which is discussed in step 12. This spiritual awakening is a realization that we are not alone and helpless. We have accepted and learned certain truths that we are now able to carry to others. The reading suggests that we keep ourselves open for this spiritual awakening which is certain to come when we surrendered our will . This will give us the ability to make decisions on a spiritual basis.
The Qtote is; "we are asleep , we walk in darkness until we find god's hand to lead us into his way. The way of spiritual enlightenment"
I am so happy that I decided to work the Steps in order to receive this wonderful gift of a "Spiritual awakening"
Love how Step 12 states;"Having had a spiritual wakening as result of these steps" How great is that assurance?
I had one when I was 20... the spiritual thing. In recent times I followed the thinker and speaker- Brene Brown who had similar in 2008. In 1971 I bought a penguin book on mysticism and learned to realise that all religious cultures had similar beliefs deep down.
The details and the religious culture can seem really different, from the outside... ...but the mystics, especially draw to the centre.
Right through my 20's things did not change an awful lot. Most of my girlfriends were hard drinkers, and my friends were junkies. But, at the very least my early experience left me searching for natural highs.
I continued to have days sometimes of hot flashes. Looking back these were actually experiences of having normal emotions. I realise now- that this is what Joan and Joe average experienced most of the time.
Getting to Stepping Stones was a turning point for me. It gave me the sense that I belonged to one big family. I lower my head a little when I walk into the rooms- just about everywhere- and I immediately feel "at home".
Life has taken a good turn for me this month- financially. In my community things are improving day by day. Within my FOO things are still a little difficult.
The Serenity prayer helps me here. Beside that I have always said: neither avoid not provoke a conflict.
I do seem to have a mature outlook these days, with sometimes an impish humour. As i look at the two phrases above and I can see where #2 is derived directly from #1, the serenity prayer.
Lots of my life I felt like an old windmills- waving my arms in the air- trying desperately to find out who ah were... and trying equally desperately to rejoin the human race; from which I departed, at a young age.
Being here, right here, amongst people like myself- brings a tear to the eye- just to think about it... ...
This is what has been going on with me...I took time off from working the boards because I was really heavy into the spiritual part of the program....I just can't make life work without an HP empowering me, blessing my efforts that are right by and for me.....I was walking more emotionally sober, but still in the shadows....I dint' think I needed any Higher Power...so yea, this post of yours for which I am grateful, resonates with me a lot....I am having a tough time wtih find replacement for that abusive job I quit...Having to cast the burdens of fear and "what if's" and all the negatives...having to do step 3/casting the burdens to someone greater than I who CAN deliver me.....Like I said on my "come back" post...I would rather believe and be wrong then not believe and be wrong....I can't do life on my own....I need the positive energies of the universal Creator of all things light.......Thank you Betty for your service on this board...answering pretty near all of our posts, encouraging us to keep on keeping on and for just being YOU!!!! HUGS
Thank you Betty for your service and the daily. Thank you all for the shares and ESH above. All I know about recovery is that the longer I am engaged and working it, the less alone I feel....I also do feel as if I have a guide that is ever-present and fills me with 'calm' as/when needed.
I have become way less selfish and way more selfless. My friend with cancer is stage 4, and terminal. I was graced with being able to take a meal to her yesterday and to sit with her. In spite of facing the end of her life soon, we talked candidly about bucket list, her child, her husband, DNR, all 'those' who keep saying, FIGHT, FIGHT, etc. We spoke candidly about the willingness to let God lead and to cease fighting everything and everyone. She's at peace with whatever comes next, and we're working on a bucket list - it's very simple....about those she loves, simple family dinners, a cook-out, etc.
It's the steps that allowed me to sit with her and candidly discuss this earthly life we live and what we hope waits on the other side. We laughed way too much based on the topics, and never shed a tear. We did have to contact Home Health Care for a situation and still we just kept it all together with trust in God, humility and faith.
I no longer have to interrupt life to focus on my spiritual path. I am so grateful that those who came before me suggested over and over that I do program things and recovery things each and every day and to trust the process. I am forever grateful that, for the present, it's all come together for me to be of maximum service to others.
Golfed (badly) this morning and finished in time to get in the house - we've now got some wicked storms present. I am to join my son for more golf late afternoon - we're in a wait and see mode. So, so grateful for my blessings and simple existence. Life is too short to keep complicated it with 'my brain'....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
I have nothing to add to this post and the responses other than thank you all for your service. (((hugs))) Bless this family Father and thank you for it.
Thank you Betty and everyone for the shares:) I'm sure there is more to unfold as I learn. BUT, the biggest area that was a spiritual awakening for me was finally recognizing via the steps and knowing the areas I was NOT trusting God and only thought I was. That was huge for me. Humbling and I"m sure it stuck out like a sore thumb. It's so peaceful knowing I do not have to do everything, carry everything and be so responsible for everything. I gave that part to God and when those times hit (and they do) that I find I am trying on my own again......it's so much easier to spot and pray, give it back to God, let Him keep fixing the things that trip me up.
Betty and all, thank you for your service. I appreciate the insight that our spiritual awakening shows us that we are not alone. At our meetings we say, "Whatever your troubles, there are those among us who have had them too."
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