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.
Today's ODAT reading points out that hearing an Al-Anon member expressing gratitude is encouraging to those who are still feeling hopeless. It goes on to say that when we begin to worry less, we can see more of the beauty of the world. It helps when we can deal only with the problems that are ours, and not try to carry someone else's burden. Increasing our awareness of the world around us helps us to see and enjoy that world, rather than only concentrating on our own difficulties. "After a time in Al-Anon, we discover we are acquiring a sense of reality which is absolutely essential to serenity."
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Most of my life, I did not agree that accepting reality could lead to serenity. I firmly believed that reality was overrated. Bad stuff happens to good people, doesn't it? Am I supposed to like that reality? But I now see that was only half of the truth. The other half is that beauty, kindness, generosity, and gratitude happen too.
I'm writing this just at the end of Valentine's Day. Today was a day full of frustrations (reality) and blessings (also reality), and I am grateful.
Good Morning Feetime prior to program I , like yourself felt that "acceptance "was a negative defect and that i had to fight to change any situation that brought me discomfort or pain .
Listening at meetings and several conversations with my sponsor convinced me that there are certain situations that cannot be changed like (alcoholism) and the best i can do is acknowledge them, Accept the painful reality and not waste,my time attempting to change the situation but use my alanon tools to detach, focus on myself and let go and let God.
Thanks for your service
Good morning Freetime - thank you for your service, the daily and your ESH. I practice gratitude each day - even when I am struggling with 'life' events. We had a diseased drama day yesterday around here and I am grateful that the program has given me the tools to recognize the day was a blessing and there were some unexpected, undesired events during it. This is so contrary to how I viewed life and 'events' before recovery!
I practice acceptance each day as well. I agree that for me, the only path to having and keeping my serenity is accepting that which is and letting go of what I think it should be or what is not. Just for today, I am happy to take care of me using this program, and trust God to handle the rest.
Happy Friday - we have weather rolling in again today for the weekend. I am prepared for hibernation....ha.ha.ha. Make it a great day 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
Goof Friday morning all!
Thank you, Freetime for your service and the daily, and to Betty and IAH for their wisdom.
At first I had a very difficult time with ACCEPTANCE. I just knew that there was something.... something that I could do. Something I could change, control or otherwise exert my will on. That is all a fallacy of course.
I really like the idea of increasing our awareness of the world around us, to keep us from concentrating on our own difficulties. I found it is a learned skill that gets better with practice. I also like's IAH's belief that she is grateful for the day... no matter what.
I continue to practice what I need to let go of, and what I can dig my heels in to (discussions with a customer service agent! LOL)
I am currently waiting for a work-related issue to resolve itself. I practiced being honest with my needs, and saying what I meant, and meaning what I said. Now I just wait. I have done all that I reasonably could, now it is in my employers hands. I am having faith that it will turn out for what is best for me... I am standing with my good intentions and knowledge of the great things I bring to the table. I am also reminding myself that all will come just as it is supposed to according to my HP. I am reminding myself by coming here and reading and posting that I will practice ACCEPTANCE with this and what the day brings.
Peace y'all!
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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
Thanks FT for your service. When I started program and working with my sponsor, I felt finding a daily gratitude was SO difficult to think of. I was in a cloud of pain due to my spouse's drinking and it was hard to focus on anything else. Fast forward several years, and I could probably write a gratitude list each and everyday now. It's become second nature to see the good, let go and let God, use the Serenity Prayer, and keep coming back. I have a general feeling of being OK now, instead a general feeling of dread and despair. I try to express this in my F2F meeting. It's mind boggling to newcomers but I was there, and now I'm here, Lyne
Maybe I should go back to bed. I just typed a quick reply and then hit the erase function?
It's great getting up early and wandering into a MIP "Meeting after a meeting" discussion as I did when I first arrived at Al-Anon. This is one of the ways I learned; from listening, listening, listening and Acceptance was and is one of the very best lessons I learned from. I'm good and I am powerless at the same time. Fed the wild chicks outside practicing my caring and having coffee with my spouse as she watches the morning news.
"Make your actions your prayer"...from my sponsor. Okay thanks ladies (((((hugs)))))
I just absolutely loved that you shared this: "Make your actions your prayer!" Wise words from your sponsor!
Peace!
__________________
"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 , sometimes i have to FORCE me to think of SOMETHING to be grateful for, but if I persist, for sure I can find something that is going right in my life and I'm not so negative..lately its been horrid re: my work, bringing in adequate income...but I DO think of stuff I can say "thank you" for even if it is through clenched teeth.....
