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 writer shares that they and their sponsor have completely different political views and disagree on other issues yet are able to align on program especially about serenity, courage and wisdom. The author suggests if they had insisted on a sponsor with identical political views, they would have missed out on a rich and beneficial relationship. Tradition One is deeply appreciated!
The author suggests the Tenth Tradition makes this possible. "The Al-Anon Family Group have no opinion on outside issues; hence our name ought never be drawn into public controversy." At the group level, this suggests we can go to a meeting and know we won't be recruited for any particular cause. As a group, we have a single purpose - to support one another as we recover from the effects of the disease. On a personal level, we are encouraged to establish valuation relationships with other that - under other conditions - we may have difficulty just being civil.
Reminder -- Today I can be more tolerant of other views as I learn to take what I like and leave the rest. I don't have to let outside issues distract me from my primary spiritual goal. I'll keep the doors open, for I never know where I might find help.
Quote -- from Al-Anon's Twelve Steps & Twelve Traditions -- "Within the fellowship, the one thing that has brought us together must remain our soul concern."
It's a gift to get what we need when we need it! I had a long conversation today with a fellow member, and 'this' was the topic. Long story short, she went to a meeting as she needed a meeting and left the meeting ... needing another! It was not a healthy place and she felt unsafe and uncomfortable. She explained all that happened, and we concluded together that it was because personalities were more important to a couple people than principles AND ego was at play.
She's been around 30 years and I as well and we ended up chuckling at the end of the call. In all my years, as with her, there has been only one meeting that I left and felt almost the same way - that I needed a meeting because of the meeting.
Al-Anon, in any form, should always be a safe and welcoming place - a refuge from the effects of the disease, if only for a short while in a 24 hour day. For me, it's about quality not quantity, and when I remain open, I learn from every member, new and seasoned. I am grateful my sponsor and I have opposing views on many things - it's showed me how to have a different train of thought without dominating and to be open to different/other ways.
The traditions to me are the foundation for how it all works! And, I am grateful for all who came before me and paved a path for us to come together, and focus on recovery/healing.
Happy Thursday all - make it a great one!
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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
I like the Principles before Personalities...it's an easy way to keep the ego out of the healing!
Peace!
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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 for your service IAH. I'm pleased to report my F2F it is a peaceful, safe place. I can't even imagine going to a meeting and having an environment similar to my FOO, but I'm sure it happens. Nothing is perfect. But if we stick with the principles of our program, all should be well. As people who have been affected by the disease, we have plenty in common and many things to talk about together, Lyne
I like the Principles before Personalities...it's an easy way to keep the ego out of the healing!
Peace!
oh yea, PnP....I've had to use thie Principles before personalities a LOT, lately...and it works..Keeps me humble, open, honest, willing and within the guard rails of program and its growth...Not what I want to force.....Putting what is right , first...Nice, Share, ((((PnP))))))
