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 how the Al-Anon program is a way to learn and show respect for one another. The writer mentions that in his/her family of origin this wasnt taught, but once in Alanon, the protocols such as taking turns to share by speaking, thanking one another for speaking, giving everyone a chance to speak, are all tangible ways that respect is shown.
The sentence from this reading that strikes me is: We let one anothers words hover in the meeting room without contest, waiting for whoever needs them to absorb them There were so many times that for me, sitting in a meeting letting other peoppes Words wash over me was exactly what I needed. Since there wasnt advice given, or judgments made, I was able to decide what I needed for myself and the program helped me get stronger because of it.
I agree with the writer that because of the respect that is practiced in the program, I learned to practice giving respect and expecting it for myself.
Good Morning Mary Love this topic. I agree, treating everyone with courtesy and respect (as I witness at alanon meetings) has become second nature for me, as has" Listening with a non judgmental mind, open mind'
I truly appreciate these two powerful assets, as my life has changed drastically as a result.
Thanks to alanon meetings i have learned how to cooperate in a group settings.
I love this Hope4today, Mary! Thank you for being a part of my journey. And thank you too, Betty for your ESH.
I love the imagery of the words hovering in the air above us at meetings, waiting for one of us to grab them down and hold them close for recovery!
Enjoy your Sunday, all! I am off to have Tea with my sponsor as a birthday gift from me to her!
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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 Mary for your service and the daily. Thank you Betty & PnP for your shares and ESH....this is a lovely reading and one I also can relate to. In my family, we talked over each other, everyone wanting to get their point across and/or the last word in. We are passionate folks, as well as opinionated and you can imagine --- nobody was heard and almost all were frustrated.
This was my 'learning' from FOO. I do love in recovery that each person is an equal, each message has meaning and we all work to learn from the words spoken. I too like the visual of the words hanging above for absorbing - very nice!! I am grateful that Al-Anon has helped me learn to actively listen and to seek to understand rather than to be understood.
Happy Sunday to one and all - I am really excited for my parents visit. While this visit could be very different than ever before, I am embracing the positive. Most of our family is here, and this is a trip for my mother to see as many as possible since she's terminal. My boys are both distant which usually isn't good news, but I just keep turning them over to God and trusting that what is is what is supposed to be.
I am so grateful that recovery has given me the ability to be of service to my parents. My mother is slipped mentally, so when we spoke last, she thinks she's cured as she feels really good right now. I was able to just smile and accept even though a part of me really wanted to set the record straight...
Any prayers you have for a great visit are welcome. (((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
Wow to you ladies of recovery and I acknowledge my HP for continuing the process for me from the very first minute I surrendered to the program. I woke up...took a shower and come into this meeting and am I grateful? Wow.
Now to continue it as I will travel the 6 miles along the shore to my morning home group and then inland to the family group. I have nothing to worry about and very much to be grateful about.
Hey Mary, thank you for your service and those very much needed reminder. I was a real selfish piece of work when I first came into recovery. It was all about me and me and me and I want to be heard and I want I want. I cannot believe how much this program has helped me change into a person that I can actually like now
I loved what you said about letting the words hover over the room so the ones needing to absorb them can without judgment and in peace, I am paraphrasing but the words hovering over the room really was a beautiful way of describing a meeting whether it is face to face or online. Many times I have gone to a meet and said nothing. Just listened and absorbed the wisdom and the love and the respect in the rooms or the chat room online. I dont have to talk all the time at a meeting anymore. Sometimes it is way more cool To just sit and, as you say, absorb like the rays of the sun shine, the beautiful words. Thank you so much for this
Thanks.