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 in C2C is about sponsorship and re-developing self-worth. The author shares that they had never dared to trust anyone the way they trusted their first Al-Anon sponsor. The author felt like a mess, unworthy of saving. When they asked, the author was surprised that their new sponsor agreed to sponsor them! The author's sponsor guided the author through the steps; the author was so desperate, that they were willing to try any Al-Anon tool or idea that the sponsor suggested. When the author reached out to their sponsor by phone one day, lonely and in fear that they would never get the hang of feeling better, their sponsor pointed out that the author was very willing to work the program, more willing than most. That's the moment when things shifted for our author - their sponsor was able to say to our author what our author wasn't able to say to themselves, and in that moment, the author knew that they would be ok, because they had what it took to be successful in the program: a willingness to work the program.
Today's Reminder: Learning to value myself can being by having the courage to find, and use, a sponsor.
Today's Quote: "Nothing we do, however virtuous, can be accomplished alone therefore, we are saved by love." Reinhold Niebuhr
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I certainly identify well with the author's feeling of desperation upon entering Al-Anon, and the accompanying willingness to try anything to make things better. My story has a similar start. I'm very grateful to this group, who kept telling me to keep coming back, who responded when I was lonely with their ESH, and those who guided and worked the steps with me. Along the way, I've found that I, too, am worthy of saving. I've found that my progress in Al-Anon is only hampered by my hesitation to try new things - a lesson I am trying to apply to the rest of my life as well.
It's student move-in time for us, and I'm surprised that fall semester is almost upon us already! Time certainly does fly! We've decide to postpone taking the water pump and water pipes out of the well at my family's cabin until later in September. (It shouldn't freeze before October.) I'm looking forward to catching up on some important things at home, like cleaning. With the long weekend ahead at home, I might even find time to start organizing a few things that haven't been unpacked since the move last spring. I've really been embracing the Al-Anon slogan of progress, not perfection, which has done wonders to keep me happy and less stressed this summer!
I hope you make today a great day!
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Skorpi
If you are depressed, you are living in the past. If you are anxious, you are living in the future. If you are at peace, you are living in the present. - Lao Tzu
Thanks for your service Skorpi. I was never going to get a sponsor or go to F2F meetings. My pain became so great that I was also willing to try new things. My sponsor helped me to find my value and self-worth. She also got me to F2F meetings which I am ever so grateful for. Doing the steps with her, recently for the second time, has been a self-searching, growth-producing experience. She deserves a medal for her service to others! Lyne
This posting kind of reminded me that my first jump into Al-Anon I did it because it was highly recommended by my wasband's rehab facility. This second time, I chose to come back b/c I was a lost soul that needed to accept me and where my life was at that moment. I have found the tools and slogans have helped me in all my affairs. I am so grateful to have decided that I was worth it!!
Hump day, y'all!! Mold it into what you want it to be!!
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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 Skorpi and the daily! I love when Jerry says that he didn't know what he didn't know when he arrived....I can relate to that! I really, really wanted what I saw in others, but had fear of failure, fear of success and trust issues. I wasn't sure I had the ability to be completely honest with another person - hesitant about sponsorship....big time!
Of course, in my life, what's happened is when the pain gets great enough, I tend to do what's necessary to move forward. I am happy to report that by making a daily commitment to my recovery, those life situations that used to baffle me and destroy my self esteem and cause my mind to spin are a thing of the past. Today, I know I can call my sponsor or another in recovery, talk things over and reason things out. This has been one of the best gifts of this program - building true, lasting, loving relationships with like-minded people in recovery...I have no issue today spilling my emotional guts when/as necessary as the relief and results are well worth it.
Happy hump day all - it's been a busy day but all good! We are still having mild temperatures and that means lovely window weather while sleeping! I love it! (((Hugs)))
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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
Good morning Skorpi i appreciate your service. I can so identify. I could never trust anyone until I entered program I do believe the basic alanon principles allowed me to reach out and feel safe. Not giving advise, keeping an open mind are so important to my trusting..
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