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 writer talks about moving from denial of the alcoholism in her family, to making the family disease the subject of all her conversations. A fellow Al-Anon member pointed out that if we keep living in the past, we are not living in the present. Unlocking the secrets of the past is not meant to place blame, but to help us learn from it so we can get on with our lives.
Reminder: There is much to learn from the past, but I cannot allow past hurts to smolder and destroy today. Instead, I can ask my Higher Power to help me use my experiences to move forward and to make healthier, more loving choices than ever before.
Quote: "Experience is not what happens to you, it is what you do with what happens to you." - Aldous Huxley
This has been a two steps forward, one step back process for me. I have often wondered if it is a bad idea to think about what happened in the past. This reading suggests it is OK to think about it, it's just a matter of how we think about it.
I really like the quote -- what am I doing with what happened to me? After passing through the anger and fear, I have transformed most of it into positive changes. Without going through the hard times, I would not have discovered Al-Anon and would not have had the opportunity to do service today. I would not have experienced the fact that people helped me during those difficult times. I am less judgmental and more compassionate to those who are different from me.
Good Morning Freetime, I too love this page as i reminds me of how powerful Alanon tools truly have been in my recovery. Before program, i wallowed in self pity and fear, daily reminding myself of all the injustices i had endured from friends and family.
Upon entering program and picking up the slogans, the Steps and a sponsor, i quickly learned that these destructive tools were keeping me stuck in the pain and that I needed to look closely at each event, see my part and learn the lessons -- What a difference this simple principle has made to my life!! NO more gloom and doom,, self pity or blame as I now can let go and let god, own my actions and enjoy life on life's terms
Thanks for your service and have a great day
What a perfect Courage 2 Change today! Thank you, Freetime for your service!
I had just started a thread on good quotes, b/c a quote about not living in the past really moved me... this today is just reinforcing that for me! HP working miracles? You be the judge! LOL!
Lord Almighty, I am so thankful it is finally FRIDAY!! Woot!! It's been a long, hard week at my jobs and I have a big weekend coming up that I am nervous about. Almost can't wait for it to be over and it hasn't even started! Ack! How "sick" is that??
Anyway, everyone enjoy their Friday (and for those of you who have already lived your Friday, I hope you made it a good one!)
Peace & Love!
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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 freetime for your service and the daily. Thanks to you and those above me for your shares and ESH. I also like this page as it reminds me that the past is not the present and living in the present is where my real joy and serenity is. I recall when I arrived, I could not even look at the photos of my boys/family in my home without feeling deep sadness and immense fear. After all, my boys had gone from loving, caring, kind children to addictive persons, most of whom are selfish, self-centered, dishonest, etc.
What Al-Anon gave me was many tools to look at me, my part, how the past is an event and that it does not define me or anyone else. I do believe in hope and redemption, and I have been able to use my past for learning and growing and forgive myself and others to free me up for life today.
I am beyond words grateful. I have discovered recently that my A(s) can be unhappy, dismissive, disinterested, other and yet - I truly love my life. I have a HP that loves me unconditionally, and many lovely healthy friends who've become better than family. Between the program, softball, golf, service, etc. my life and my heart are truly full. I have room for more also because I am empowered to make choices based on my needs/wants, which is not how it used to be for me before recovery.
We road-tripped today for golf and played a new course. We had a great time, even though we were a bit lost often. Softball in a while - so glad it's Friday as the weekend is my down-time. I hope everyone had a super day!! (((Hugs))) to all MIP.
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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
