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 Courage to Change readings for today May14 suggested that recovery in alanon requires a real discipline This discipline is reflected in our diligence,and patience.
We can do this program by regular attendance at meetings, working the steps and embracing the basic principles each day so as to enrich our lives The reading indicated that patience is required in practicing the pogrom as "recovery is a process" So very true --- That is why I keep coming back
Good morning MIP! Thank you Betty for your service and the daily. Thank you also for your ESH. Patience is not natural for me - it's a practice, practice, practice effort - more in the past than the present. Progress vs. Perfection is the name of my patience game!
Diligence however does come more natural to me. I've always been passionate about that which I encounter and there's good and bad in that. I did arrive with black/white thinking so with that, came an all/nothing mindset and effort at times. I am grateful that Al-Anon taught me that recovery is a process, there is no graduation or perfect score and doing the best we can One Day at a Time produces lasting results.
I too keep coming back as I have determined my serenity/sanity as directly tied to my efforts. Meetings are one small element of my recovery, but not enough for me to truly find my peace and reconcile my heart and mind. Two days in a row, in 2 different sides of this program, the statement, "Meeting Makers Make It" has been discussed. Simply because, it's not true. Meetings are one tool only and I am grateful my sponsor helped me work on balance with the tools.
Happy Tuesday to all - the sun is shining and I'm off to the golf course shortly! Make it a great day!
__________________
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
Thank you Betty for the daily. As usual, thank you Iamhere for reminding me that there is no graduation, no perfect way to "do" recovery. But as Betty pointed out, patience and diligence is needed!
__________________
"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 Betty for your service and above shares. I am lucky in that due to being in the arts at an early age, I had to develop self-discipline. My younger self could take that to an extreme that was not helpful for me, but it also taught me that when I have a goal, I can stick with it. That has paid off with my recovery. I almost have 6 yrs in and Im going strong, Lyne
This reminds me of a thread I posted a few weeks back - how I like to view Al-Anon as a teaching ground for how to take care of myself spiritually and emotionally.
I can't speak for everyone here, but I know for myself that repetition and frequency help me learn faster and retain what I do know. It's why it's important for me to incorporate Al-Anon into my daily life, be it getting to meetings, talking with friends in the program or my sponsor, working the steps, participating in service and reading the literature.
I know when I was in the thick of it with the active alcoholic, I wanted the sage knowledge and confidence I saw from long-time members right away. I wanted to be able to detach easily, say "no", not enable, be kind and loving yet respect myself right away. I'd get so frustrated when I'd stumble through setting a boundary, etc. It's because I wanted everything fixed NOW.
The thing is, that's just not the way of it - I had to re-program my thinking after having used my old behaviors for 30 years previously. It wasn't going to go away overnight.
That's why we say in the rooms "keep coming back".
I find that while all elements of Alanon are important for recovery, I tend to focus on a couple at a time rather than a balance of all. Meaning, sometimes I will be diligent about meetings and literature. Sometimes I will be working more on the steps...ex: Step 4 and literature and back off meetings for a week or 2. I eventually realize that I am missing an element and get back to it.....but as long as I am doing something for my recovery in alanon, it helps me tremendously and I feel progress.
Have a lovely day. Still raining, gray, 40s and not very nice out here in western NY. Tomorrow is more promising.
