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.
Good morning, everyone! Today's reading points out that although Step One -- powerlessness -- is challenging, Step Two is even harder for some of us. Step Two acknowledges that our behavior has not been entirely sane -- for example, making mountains out of molehills. If we do not distinguish what is important and what is not, we can be brought down by everything -- even things we would be better to ignore.
The reminder includes, "I won't waste time and nervous energy on unimportant things; I'll save them so I can cope with the big ones!"
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I love Step Two because it offers hope that we can be restored to sanity. My particular insanity was not making big issues out of little ones, it was the opposite. I ignored, denied, or stuffed down big issues because I did not know how to confront them. I pretended that if I just closed my eyes, covered my ears, and sang "la la la," the issues and my feelings about them would go away and not happen again. That was my insanity.
Step Two shows me that the root of my problem was in not realizing there were powers, greater than myself, that could help me deal with and heal from these issues. Eventually it was proven to me that I was not alone, that my burden could be shared, and that there were solutions I had never heard of. Once that evidence was revealed, I came to believe that I could become sane.
Hey Freetime, thanks for the reminder..........yea, the biggies would cause me to dissociate..... and the others??
My ??? should always be "how important is this REALLY????" and stop...breathe...observe.....because I awfulize waaaay too many nickle dime aggravations that aren't worth that stress.....
H Freetine I love the Steps and do agree that they are difficult but so worth it. I found that they provide a road to recovery that is amazing and simply finding the courage to begin with Step one was a true gift of this program.
I discovered that "Admitting " anything was difficult for me so that once I passed that hurdke I was on my way. Step 2 "coming to believe" was also interesting (as I refused to believe in GOd) so I replaced the HP concept with the alanon program and alanon principles and that worked
Today I have a Hp that I trust and have the courage to believe in
Thanks for your service
Thanks Freetime and for above shares. My insanity became not seeing how sick I had become, due to focusing on my A for years, thinking I could fix our marriage. Once I decided to join alanon, and got over my disappointment that no one could tell me how to fix her, I began my journey of learning . My sponsor helped me go through the steps, and over time they all felt very important to me. And yes, it all starts with step 1. I still am powerless over my A and everyone else, and I have found a God of my understanding who helps me everyday. Lyne
Thank you Freetime for your service and the daily.....I struggled with 1-2-3 in Al-Anon simply because I really, really thought I knew better than those with this disease. After all, I had years experience in AA recovery sober, so ...
It was my ego and pride that stood in the way from my forward progress. It was suggested to me that I just needed to keep coming back with an open mind. As I practiced focusing on me and putting me first, some fog began lifting. I was able to see more clearly my part as well as the insanity of it. It took even longer for me to accept and embrace the HP was not only there for me, but also for others and I have no idea what another really thinks, believes, feels, etc.
I am grateful that we are allowed to work the program and steps at our pace. I am grateful others who came before me had patience to encourage me to keep coming back. I am also grateful that today, I do believe in a power great than self, and can remember most of the time that it's not me!
Happy Friday all...
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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
My insanity was thinking I was a magician. I also got good at singing "la la la la la" and my downfall for many years has been trying to understand the not understandable. Step 1, realising I can't(I'm not magical in that way after all), Step 2 realising the Divine can and step 3 letting the Divine do the Divine thing! Releif. Thanks for the post and the service and the combined esh.
Thanks to everyone for sharing.