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 reading for Monday, 10/21, talks about how to find faith, how to figure out what HP wants for us, and how to stop feeling powerless, helpless, hopeless, and frightened. The author feels they struggle with these issues even though they try to find HPs guidance. Some of the answers are to ask for clarity, trust you will receive it when the time is right, and above all, ask for what you need.
Quote: Even if we have struggled with the idea of a Higher Power, we have learned that asking for help works...
In my experience in program, it seems that for some faith comes easy, and for others, it can feel like a constant struggle to find it. I have been lucky in that I had a spiritual experience long before alanon, and so now the reliance on HP has expanded and strengthened my belief system that was already in existence.
In my understanding of program, HP does not have to be God. HP can be any force that is a power greater than ourselves. Im always in awe of the ocean for example. I think if I ever see a bald eagle flying, I will be humbled. The size of the universe baffles me. I can imagine many elements that are greater than myself.
...faith came easy-peasy for me too. My mum and dad used to go to a "Sunday School", which was held in the back bar of the hotel down by the river shacks. There as a little churches a neighbour to our property and I began to slip between the wires of the fence and go and attend it. I doubt that any other member of the family knew I was there.
I have heard a lot of 12 Step members say- that they sometimes had difficulty with organised religion. I am no exception to this one. I think, inside of Alanon we are "spoiled" with our experience strength and hope. And some religious organisations might seem to fall short of this. ...
Progress not perfection- we are spiritual, not religious here... which is a blessing in itself... ...
Good Morning Lyne Rediscovering Faith in my God was a true gift of this program. in my childish way i had developed expectations of my HP which included nothing bad happening to me if i prayed. when I wAS CONFRONTED WITH THIS dreadful disease , I expected Hp to make it go away immediately. Finding aalnon and learning to look within helped me to discover the error in my thinking. zi thank god for qlanon and d alanon for god
Thanka for your service
Happy Monday MIP family. Thank you Lyne for your service and the daily. I had to go through considerable effort to surrender, accept and believe in a God of my understanding. The concepts and teachings of my youth helped with a basic faith foundation but I had many issues with those same teachings vs. reality.
Today, I am still in the trusting, believing, defining, surrendering mode and may always be! Al-Anon gave me the freedom to be ok with uncertainty at times, and the ability to keep learning, growing and evolving is lovely! Recovery has allowed me to be authentic and I am good some days and in need other days. I do trust that faith is a better choice than worry and fretting and lean that way as best I can.
Fall has certainly arrived in my area! Trees are changing colors, cooler temperatures have arrived and we have some wind!! Hope everyone had a great day!
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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
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