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 step 11. The idea of praying only to be made aware of Higher Powers will for us and the power to carry it out is different than simply praying for our own needs and wants. I certainly continue to catch myself praying for things that I consider needs/wants in my life and then will remember to pray for openness to His will.
Its funny that for me, recognizing humility in someone else has become such an attractive trait. I continue to work on the humility necessary not to pray for what I want, but to be open enough for awareness to what is in my path.
Like the writer, anytime I have tried to exert self will in any situations it has resulted in far more harm than good!
Good Morning Mary Thank you for sharing your thoughts on this important step. Prior to program, I ALWAYS prayed for MY will and became angry and frustrated when my prayers were unanswered.
Thanks to this Step and the humility I have developed as a result of practicing these principles I now can approach Step 11 with courage and humility. Thanks for your service., ,
Like Betty, I too ALWAYS have prayed to God for my wants and needs from the time I could remember my religious upbringing. Yes, I usually threw in a prayer or two for others who I knew were/are suffering, but to simply pray for my Higher Power's will in my life... to be open and willing for that to come into my life... that was a new thing.
I must say, because I could not ACCEPT the outcome of my marriage and the life I was leading, I was always very angry at God for never answering my prayers. I truly believed He had forsaken me. This anger actually kept me from moving forward in my program!! It wasn't until I truly accepted myself (and my life as it was) that I could even comprehend praying for the willingness and openness of allowing my life to unfold as it should... NOT as I wanted it to. Such heavy stuff!!
Thankfully, I am much more open-minded about this, and I work on acceptance every day. My mind has decided that perhaps our HIgher Powers are not supposed to grant our wishes or prayers. That perhaps, our HPs "job" is to guide us, so that our life unfolds AS IT SHOULD - according to the natural order of things.
I have decided to stop fighting. I am learning to accept the things that happen in my life as opportunities. For learning, for growing, for practicing patience, for being my best self.
It is a gloomy Sunday here in Cali. Yesterday I worked the soil, today I am planting a bunch of sweet pea seeds. I will look forward to a wall of beautiful colors and heavenly scent!
Wishing you all Peace today!
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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 in Hawaiian? Aloha Kakahiaka my sisters in recovery and Mahalo Mary for the right on daily.
I wake up with my Higher Power who comforts me even in sleep and when I wake up is right there so I can start the day with HP. I used to wake up with the 3rd step prayers on my lips making sure I got it out right so the chances of me getting what I wanted and needed was assured.
LOL one morning I started the same ritual and found out my HP understood very well because I was told, "Keep it short". HP wasn't in the mood for the plead just the need. So now my morning prayers is, "Place me where you want me...tell me what to do". Now I look and listen and constantly feel in touch with the will of my Higher Power.
you will not mine- so saith The Lord. Out of the old King James version...
and a voyage into the deserts and sands of the old world. It is still easy for me to say- with a slip of the tongue 'my will, not thine'.
And it really is a balance. The colours and shapes- even words- of my own belief system have grown and matured over time. I have always been tolerant- and maybe far too tolerant. At a meeting, a long time ago one member said: "It's a selfish programme!" This is not an official Alanon view, as far as I know. I know it is about taking care of ourselves, first. But it is a balance between ourselves, and others. We most often see this in the rooms first.
Happy Sunday MIP family! I too spent many years praying for my wants/needs to be met and got frustrated and lost faith when I didn't get my way! Of course, those who came before me in recovery suggested I did always get what I needed, and trust in the God of my understanding would get me aligned to do the next right thing instead of chasing what I thought I needed/wanted.
I am grateful today to not need anything. I am grateful today to pray for others and to just be grateful for the way my HP guides my life. I am more aware than ever before when my own ego and selfishness is trying to rise up - and I get a 'thumping' as needed! I am beyond words grateful to live one day at a time, trusting in a great plan I am not privy to and doing the next right thing based on the day.
I started my day with a meeting and then went to the golf course. I played well today and we grilled steaks this evening! A lovely way to end a lovely weekend. I am so glad to live so different than before - I too wake up full of gratitude to be alive still and able to be of service to others! It's a glorious way to be/live. Enjoy the rest of the evening all - I intend to!
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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
Thanks for posting.
I have learned from my younger years in religion to make request but they might not happen and not to be discouraged. Especially when I want something so much and I dont get it. There is usually a good lesson that I learn or being patience that something better is around the corner that I cant not predict. I have grown for these lessons. Even a parent can not bend to every whim a child makes, I feel this is part of growing up.
I have to have faith that everything will be okay. It has gotten me this far.
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