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 the power, strength and hope of step two, in which we came to believe a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
One of the reasons I love this step so much is the humility that is behind it. There is a hopefulness in it too- that what we are pursuing, peace rather than chaos, sanity over craziness, is available to us but we must admit we need the help to get there. The phrase Power greater than ourselves is a reminder to me that there are many situations that are beyond my control. That doesnt mean I cannot get through them, just that I cannot get through them alone.
Truly considering the difference between things I cannot control and changing the things I can is a daily help in trimming away some of the chaos that can begin to form when we try to manage every situation that comes our way.
One of the gifts of this program has been to transition from feeling anxious about the realization that there is plenty beyond my control to feeling relief at the idea that there are simply things beyond my control, and for those I can turn to a Power greater than myself.
Thanks for your service Mary. I didn't recognize that I was a controlling person until I came to program. What a shock that was! And I guess my needing help was also a rude awakening. But accepting that I cannot control others, and being willing to lean on HP and even straight up ask for help, are definitely gifts from Alanon. I wish you a wonderful day, Lyne
Good Morning Mary I too attempted to control others in a very subtle manner. Actually it was so subtle i did not even see it. Working step 2 helped me to acknowledge that I was not all powerful and that there was a power greater than i that I could call on in times of stress and confusion and all I needed to do was become" humble" enough to accept reality and stop fighting the world What a gift.
Facing the world with the power and wisdom of my God has certainly given me the ability to life life to the fullest with courage, acceeptance and a little wisdom Thanks for your service. have a great day all
Good morning MIP....thank you Mary for your service and the daily. Thanks to those above for your ESH and shares. I was a bold and in your face controlling person for a long, long while. It was my ego responding to fear - of failure, success, not getting what I thought I wanted, etc. I then in early recovery became more subtle and manipulative about control. This transition happened almost without my notice - and a great sponsor pointed out to me that I perhaps was still in need of more work on Step 2. It took some very painful 'life' events for me to fully surrender, and then accept that I don't know best and I have no control over people, places and things.
I do what I can each morning as part of my routine to remember who I am, who I was, where I am and how grateful I am for the growth. I consider Steps 1-2-3, and always ask God to place me where I need to be. My days are better and my joy/peace are gifts resulting from being willing and open. I have an evening ritual as well - both of these are suggested program work that really guide me to live as best I can in the present with belief that my HP has got 'this'.
Grateful as a word seems 'small' for what this program has given me. Happy Sunday to all - another relaxing day in my world - off to my weekly meeting with like minded recovery friends!! (((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
Yes, I too love the humility in this...for me, it was oh so hard to accept that I would need help as well as my qualifier... I mean, I wasn't the one with the disease, nor the one causing all the chaos and disruption to our family and marriage. I learned about co-dependency and how to combat that... I learned how to detach... but it wasn't until I was ready to accept that I too needed help and that I should rely on a power greater than myself that I began to see growth.
Thank you to all those above (and on the board) who are part of my journey!
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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
