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 reading today is about a member whose parents were alcoholics, and so it hubby.
My mum went drinking with dad too- but she did not become alcoholic. The atmosphere around the home was not like party fun- dancing and singing- nor the bars, neither. I longed for world which had happiness and singing in it.
There was a key line in the reading today which struck me: "After few months, I was able to call my sponsor and told here I no longer needed to rely on her faith because I had my own!"
I have heard, in the programme that we can love people- until they are ready to love themselves. Ok, so I have been in the inside of this and I sense this in this group! It does not have to be one on one!
I could not go out there and love everyone to bits- and expect them to change. I think I tried that in my family- from a young age. I believe it is important to practise discernment and timing. After all- that is what emotional intimacy is... in-time-acy.
And being ready, and being willing, and being okay inside, myself.
Thanks David and mamalioness-With my FOO I had inconsistency, fear, no protection, and as a result, no self esteem. I'm in my second alcoholic marriage and although now I have a dry drunk, my sponsor and Alanon have been instrumental in teaching me it's OK to love myself. It's not only OK, but I've learned that with my flaws and imperfections, I am worthy of love and respect. Without this program, I would have remained lost. Grateful member, Lyne
To be ready, willing and okay within myself...there are good days and not so good days with this. But at least they aren't bad days! LOL!
Progress not perfection!
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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
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