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 our connection with our HP and the importance of it for our recovery. Like the writer, I was raised in a religious faith that taught me my relationship with God was reverence and a bit of fear. In the program the relationship has felt more like a connected one each day- I feel I am able to connect with my HP, and even vent when I need to.
For me the result has been feeling a whole lot more gratitude about all thats in my life and a lot less looking around and saying why me?. If I am really trusting my HP then I know I dont have to try and control and hyper-manage my life, or worse- anyone elses!
The thought for the day reminds us that being in a meeting helps us remember that we are not alone. We have the opportunity to gain insight from the experience of others and the chance to make changes within ourselves.
Good Morning Mary I thank alanon each day for my amazing relationship with the God of my understanding . For years I prayed for MY will because I feared God's will.
Working the Steps, attending meetings and learning o listen with an open mind I found a higher power that was kind loving and full of compassion.
I learned that my journey here on earth was about my learning new and important lessons and that ll these lesson were not always easy or fun I found that even in the difficult times I was not abandoned by my HP but given he courage, and wisdom to keep on keeping on. Great reminder
thanks for your service
Thank you Mary, for your service. This is a good reminder.
I was raised with organized religion. It had many rules and "things" you needed to do (Sacraments). So my "relationship" with God was also wrapped up with reverence, fear, and I felt the need to be perfect... and if you failed, you ask for forgiveness and were "punished" by having to say prayers or do some good deeds. No one is ever perfect, or has perfect thoughts, so I didn't feel connected to the religion I was raised with. As I got to be a teen, many of the things I previously learned went against my blossoming beliefs of the world as I was living it. So I disconnected.
I dabbled in learning of other religions, b/c I felt there was a NEED for a higher power of some sort.
I then went for awhile with anger in my heart towards any higher power. I lived in the "Why me?" vortex for a good while.
Today, I embrace the thought of "A God of my understanding." Except I qualify it by saying "A Goddess of my understanding." It is what is working for me!
The reason why I feel this is important to working this program, is b/c it helps you to be humble. It helps to keep you from thinking you can manage it all - in fact, you don't HAVE to manage it, the God/Goddess of your understanding will. You just need to live in ACCEPTANCE.
Thank you for presenting this thought provoking topic today, Mary.
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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
Good Morning Ladies and thank you for my early morning ESH. This reminds me of when I first got into program and there was often not many men in the rooms and I had to rely on the support of the females. "LOL ...they would often warn me that I had to get in touch with my "Female side"". Scary yet for the first 9 years I grew well and am so grateful for all of it and presently. Have a great day!! ((((hugs))))
I always take something of value from your posts, so I look forward to seeing your Avatar! I hope you have a lovely Sunday in Paradise!
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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
Happy Sunday MIP family! Thank you Mary for your service and the daily. Thank you and all others above me for your ESH and shares.
I too was raised with organized religion and I too struggled to 'meet expectations' therefore attempted to 'exceed expectations'. I viewed the world with a myopic view that just did not gel well with my authentic spirit. I turned my back and walked away, determined to disprove religion through science and other and survive on self-will and self-knowledge.
Well - that turned out so good, I landed in 12-Step recovery - not once but twice!! As I absorbed this program and the ESH of others, I came to believe my path/journey to date was not accidental. All the while, I was being lead to where I needed to be - including the painful times and the many side steps.
Once I embraced the reality that I did not land in recovery by accident, I was able to better trust that HP truly has my journey designed as it should be. I remind myself each morning that I was a grateful member of this program and the best is still yet to come so long as I line up with my HP's will vs. my own.
We had a family brunch today for my oldest son's birthday which was earlier this week. I am grateful that we were all together, and while far from perfect, it was fun, relaxing and no fights! I am grateful this program allows me to do my part in healing relationships destroyed by this disease and teaches me to always be open minded.
I missed my meeting this morning, so am grateful you all are 'here' to fill my cup. I hope everyone had a lovely Sunday - it's cold here and it actually snowed yesterday! This week is to warm up - yay - and golf is planned for every day...enjoy your evening and make it a great week, one day at a time!
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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
