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 reading talks about recovery being a process, with improvements over time and not overnight! Many come to Al-Anon with a philosophy that if something works, it will work even better and faster if we try harder. Instead, we discover that recovery is a long-term process of growth and change and our efforts to speed things up are often met with frustration, depression or worse.
Easy Does It is a slogan that helps us to realize the work often gets done when we stop pushing. The writer suggests that upon arrival, at least 10 Al-Anon calls were made each day and an effort to practice all 12 steps at once began. In short order, this writer was overwhelmed and exhausted!
Love this - "Today I know that I can plant a seed in fertile soil, but I don't help the plant to grow by tugging at the seed in hope that it will sprout. I have to let the process unfold at its own pace.
Reminder: I take my commitment to recovery seriously, but I can't expect to recover overnight. When I approach my life with an "Easy Does It" attitude, I treat myself and the world around me gently and lovingly.
Thought: "When we try to absorb too much too quickly in Al-Anon, we may be discouraged . . . We would be wise to take it slowly, concentrating on one idea at a time. from One Day at a Time in Al-Anon
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Easy Does It is perfect for me most of the time. I came to recovery with Black & White thinking and an All/Nothing approach to most things in my life. If I could not excel, I would not try. Things were either right/wrong, good/bad, etc. I have a loving, gentle, gracious, patient sponsor who asked me questions often/always instead of directing, advising, ordering or controlling me. It was just what I needed to become a more patient, pragmatic person.
I learned in recovery that I can't control, cure or cause (three C's) another to be, do or want. What took me longer to understand and accept is that also applies to me, without belief in a power greater than I. My racing mind that was persistent with exception to sleep has diminished and instead, I do try and focus on one day at a time, one thing at a time and be present to enjoy life instead of just going through the motions.
There is no race to the finish in recovery, there is no graduation and/or no certificate for completion. Length of time in recovery only gives us more opportunities to practice, not necessarily more expertise. Easy Does It allows me to be me, recovery at my pace, live and love my life as it is and have hope and joy for what comes next.
Happy Thursday MIP family - hotter than hot here....can't wait for our first heatwave to break!!!
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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
We grew up with the idea that hard work paid off. Well, it does.....maybe not at the pace we would like however. I too like the quote about pulling up the seed to make it sprout faster! I know that after several years in Alanon now, I am just starting or still absorbing the basic concepts. It does take time and it does take practice and it can be frustrating. I like the gentleness of the program and working at our own pace. If it was timed, I think I would have flunked out by now....lol.
Happy Thursday....it's going to be record heat here the next couple of days, as is much of the country. Stay safe, MIP family!
When I first started Alanon, I treated it like a race... only to realize I hadn't made it to the finish line. (WHAT, you don't just race up 12 steps and are done!??! LOL)
I am grateful for this reminder and can reflect my progress as well as look at patterns that still need a loving unleveling. time... practice.... patience.... compassion....
(WHAT, you don't just race up 12 steps and are done!??! LOL)