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.
Tradition 5- is about the purpose of Alanon. I needed to look at this this morning and meditate on the meaning. Much Of the time I am content to post and reflect on readings from out three readers. Today I am able to read and think clearly- to absorb the meaning of things. The old me used to second guess a lot of the time! Especially in conversations...
...the single minded purpose belongs to the groups themselves- and not to the individuals. I don't think I consciously set out singlehandedly to help others in Alanon alone. I know, in my family, I sought to help others. To believe that is I just tried a little better things might change. I was able to apply the serenity prayer here. Along the way I did a lot of study and meditation on perfectionism. And I think that the family situation had become a recipe for perfectionism. Progress, not perfection, was, and still is, a really good slogan.
So- it is all about practising the steps ourselves. Yes. There was a time- when i changed the "we" in the steps into an "I" to endure that I kept the focus on myself. Then over time I turned the "I" back to a "we" again. ...
Service began, for me by collecting the key, from time to time- an opening up the rooms. Other simple tasks followed, one by one. Gaining experience and knowledge along the way. I don't think there is a diploma here; and I doubt that the course is ever really finished. But I did gain in confidence; and over time may personality, and outlook, changed.
The sun is struggling to get in the window, this morning. An overcast spring morning. The two bijons are play-fighting around my feet. Normally they would be invisible, or a nuisance- sort of thing. But sharing increases my awareness, and opens up the influence... of all the things I have learned- so far...
Thanks David I so appreciate all the traditions and steps. Tradition 5 clearly states the purpose of alanon and indicates how we cann go about helping others and workng the tradition, Good to see you posting and reviewing the tools.
The meeting in NYC that we attended together reviews the Traditions and Steps weekly
NYC sounds so amazing Betty. I would love to spend time there some day. And thank you too David for sharing the tradition for me to look at. Wishing you both a serene and beautiful weekend.
Tradition 5 is a beautiful approach to healing and life in general. The rooms generate the love, as this board does, and the folks in my meetings make a great effort to follow this teaching. I have daily practice with my A, and I pray each morning for compassion and forgiveness as far as she is concerned. Lyne
Thank you for sharing your thoughts on Tradition 5. I love reading your posts... so insightful!
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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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