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 from C2C is about learning to ask for help. The author shares that they, sometimes, when sitting in meetings, don't know how to ask for help. They get stuck inside their pain, and hope that if they don't do anything, the pain will go away. Instead, it grows. The author's fear of rejection prevents them from being honest about what is going on and how they are feeling. And the pain continues to grow. But the author's Higher Power works through listening as well. By sitting in the meetings and listening, the author sometimes hears someone else share the same feelings they are experiencing and afraid to describe. Through this, the author's world widens, and they realize that they are not alone.
Today's Reminder: One of the miracles I have found in Al-Anon is that help often comes when I most need it. When I can't bring myself to reach out for help, it sometimes comes to me. When I don't know what to say, I am given the words I require. And when I share what is in my heart, I may be giving a voice to someone who cannot find his own. Today I have a Higher Power who knows my needs.
Today's Quote: "As I walk, As I walk,
The universe is walking with me." - from the Navajo rain dance ceremony
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How true today's reading hits home with me! When I am struggling most, I feel my Higher Power supporting me, and helping me through. Sometimes, when I am sitting in meetings, I don't know what I need, or maybe I am not even aware of something I am struggling with. Through listening, I can hear messages I didn't know I needed, and I always end up feeling a bit better, a bit lighter, a bit more ok, and a bit less alone. That's the power of meetings, as I experience them.
I'm posting a bit later today, as my morning was consumed by a visit to the vet with my cat Kundry (named after the Messenger of the Grail in the Parzival epoch - she's as sweet as her namesake.) We're hopeful this past round of antibiotics kicked the bladder infection out of her system. I've noticed she's back to her usual antics of escaping the house under the bellies of the dogs when I let them in or out. She's even discovered how to get out of our fenced-in backyard, so all signs point to recovered health and hopefully good results from the labwork today!
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
I agree this is great topic , Asking for help is still difficult for me however since attending alanon and getting a sponsor, i feel better able to ask and then listen to suggestions with an open mind.
Today I ask Hp for help constantly and listen for the answer. He is a great resource
Thank you Skorpi for your service, the daily and your ESH. Thanks to other MIP family for your shares & ESH. I was raised to 'be perfect', and asking for help was a sign of weakness. It took tons of practice in recovery to learn to assess 'me' honestly and ask for help when I am in need. In the world of more is revealed, I am shown over and over and over again that the God of my understanding does put me where I need to be to learn, grow, heal and deal with life on life's terms. I also believe that others are put into my life by design vs. by accident, whether for a season or a lifetime and so long as I remain humble and willing, help is always available to me.
Happy Hump Day all - been a busy day and I am headed out to sub for another team in softball tonight! Fall season is starting after a short break....enjoy your evening!
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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
It is so difficult for me to ask for help especially because I have a long-standing history of getting smacked down for asking. (don't go to the hardware store and ask for help with bread kind of thing)
Now I accept that not everyone is able to respond in a positive fashion and I'm mindful to respect this as them needing to take care of themselves.
If I find myself struggling to much, I realize the resistance may be there for a greater good and I'm learning to turn it over to my HP.
Thank you Skorpi for your service, and I really enjoyed everyone's take on this topic!
I especially liked David's, "So I needed faith and courage."
I could so relate! However, I had lost all faith, and I doubted my courage. The rooms of Al-Anon helped me to find both!
I raised myself a perfectionist, and like Iamhere shared, in that world, asking for help was a sign of weakness. I hated to appear weak!! Understanding that is really all EGO helped me to get past that way of thinking.
Glad to hear Kundry is feeling her catty self, Skorpi!
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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
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