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.
Courage & Freedom-The writer today speaks of courage and freedom that he has been given through having a Higher Power. Where he once hesitated and felt helpless, has changed into recognizing that a miracle has already happened. His Higher Power gives him a freedom to make choices, and he is no longer held hostage .
Today's Reminder: It takes courage to step beyond what is comfortable, predictable, and known. Courage is a gift from my Higher Power that I find in the rooms of Alanon and in the hearts of its members.
Quote from Martin Luther King, Jr.: Courage faces fear and thereby master it.
I can remember in years past being paralyzed by fear. The thought of making the wrong choice or taking the wrong action, kept me stuck like in a prison. (Of course, made by myself, but I couldn't see it.). Alanon has given me a new found freedom, which I do have to work for, but find well worth it. I have taken steps I never thought possible for myself. I'm still a work in progress, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel, Lyne
Good Morning Lyne Courage, serenity and added wisdom are the true gifts that i received by allowing myself to embrace the concept of an all knowing loving Higher Power i did find that Courage is certainly "Fear hat has said its prayers " Thanks for your service
Good morning MIP! And thanks for your service, Lyne.
Courage is one of the strengths that I am working on building. I find myself not doing things because of fear of the unknown. The known is predictable and therefore offers some sort of comfort. The unknown offers possibility and opportunity, but no guarantees. (Not that life ever offers guarantees...) At times I find myself amused by my fear of change, my desire for stability and predictability. Other times (and this is most often now) I'm not sure what I'm afraid of, but it is resulting in heightened anxiety for me. Maybe it is a fear that things will not continue to go well. I don't know. It's an interesting reading for me today because I have been building awareness of courage and when I need to tap into mine, as well as working on building up my belief in my abilities to handle things. Always a work in progress.
Have a great day everyone!
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Skorpi
If you are depressed, you are living in the past. If you are anxious, you are living in the future. If you are at peace, you are living in the present. - Lao Tzu
"I can remember in years past being paralyzed by fear. The thought of making the wrong choice or taking the wrong action, kept me stuck like in a prison. (Of course, made by myself, but I couldn't see it.). Alanon has given me a new found freedom, which I do have to work for, but find well worth it. I have taken steps I never thought possible for myself. I'm still a work in progress, but there is a light at the end of the tunnel, Lyne"
I love this...thank you so very much Lyne...this so speaks to me and brings me back -- in hindsight -- to where I was when my life was ruled by, driven by, consumed by, and simply was all about FEAR. I was constantly paralyzed by FEAR. I don't know that it was about making the wrong choice or taking the wrong action. Interestingly enough -- all of us learn that not all of it was real. Alanon does offer a new freedom, and yes, we do have to work for it. Many people forget that. Or it's denial, LOL. I think that is something newcomers/beginners struggle with. We have to make efforts, make change, implement things, work the program, and so on.
In some of the coaching, classes, seminars, etc., that I do, my acronyms for FEAR are:
Future Events Appear Real
Frantic Effort to Avoid Reality
Forgetting Everything About Reality
Future Events Already Ruined
False Evidence Appearing Real
False Expectations Appearing Real
Forget Everything And Run
Forget Everything and Remember
False Experiences Appearing Real
Finding Excuses and Reasons
False Emotions Appearing Real
Failure Expected And Received
Future Events Appearing Real
Forget Everything and Relax
Forgetting Everything is All Right
False Expectations About Reality
And, perhaps, in light of why we are here...my favorite...
Face Everything And Recover.
For me, it was always about me and what I needed to do. For me, it was always about getting better, getting healthy and recovery. I knew, crystal clear, alanon, the steps, my HP, whatever, was NOT going to do it for me. I would be provided with the tools, the resources, the steps, a sponsor, and my HP, and knowledge of his will for me, and for ME to have the power to carry that out...and that I meant I had to do the work. I did. I am grateful. And today I live happy, joyous, and free.
All the best...
__________________
Bo
Keep coming back...
God, grant me the serenity...to accept the PEOPLE I cannot change...the courage to change the ONE I can...and the wisdom to know it's ME...
Good morning MIP - thank you Lyne for the service and the daily. Thanks to those above for the shares and ESH. I was almost more afraid of success than failure as I had this idea in my brain that I was a fraud on many levels. When we live with this disease, we do all that we can to keep the home, family, job, etc. afloat....when the balls start to fall, I felt so inadequate and defeated on many, many levels.
It is through the spiritual aspect of this program and trusting a HP as we are asked to do that gave me courage. I do believe in miracles and have seen them around me and in my life. I have no qualms today when fear crops up in pausing and praying and asking for direction. I also have no reservations in reaching out for help as it's a WE program - no step has I in it.
While recovery gives us a blueprint for a different, healthier life, it does not say we become 'cured'. I am so grateful we're asked to consider One Day at a Time only - when I am spiritually fit, I get a daily reprieve from this disease, nothing more and nothing less. My joy and serenity are a direct reflection of my ability to set my ego aside and allow a HP to drive.
Happy Monday to one and all - already finished golfing earlier and have fellowship tacos later! Off to meet a new program friend for coffee in between. It works when we work it and we're worth it!!
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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
