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.
Todays reading is about being willing to do the work we need to do in order to make the changes we want in our lives. The writer describes getting a sponsor after a long time and noticing that her recovery accelerated with the help of another person. This got me thinking about how living with alcoholism can be so isolating. The A can become consumed with the drinking cycle and the person loving the A can be consumed with every part of the drinking cycle of the A. It becomes difficult to be part of a normal and loving relationship without chaos, trying to fix another person, etc.
Many years ago I was at a meeting and one of the people sharing was a woman who described some situations in her life that anyone would have said were quite negative. In spite of this, the aura about her was relaxed, content, positive. I remember thinking Ill have what shes having. As the writer of todays page suggests, I decided to do the work I needed to do in order to get closer to a serene life. Showing up at meetings, doing the readings, working the steps, consistent work with my sponsor, have all been helpful ways to keep steering me on that path.
I love the quotation at the end of todays page from How Alanon Works for Families and Friends of Alcoholics (p37):
The most important thing is to be willing to reach out and ask for the help we need, human to human.
Thank you Mary for your service and the daily! Have a lovely Sunday - I plan to do so!!
I can be stubborn and resist change, yet can readily testify that my serenity, joy and sanity are directly related to my willingness of action. I have slowly learned by practicing that I don't have to be a step guru or spend extreme amounts of time/energy in practicing recovery - I just need to be willing to do some things each/every day. I love my local support I've gained in recovery. I am grateful each day for the many persons who've become a part of my journey. I read a quote today -
Spider Robinson, b. 1948. Shared pain is lessened. Shared joy is increased. Thus we refute entropy.
This spoke to me as it has been my experience! I am off to a meeting shortly - so grateful for the beautiful sun shine, warmer temperatures today, a meeting on the horizon and an afternoon of football!!! A lovely Sunday indeed! (((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
I was hankering for our own hometown group- but wanted to do this one one day at a time. Thanksgiving is arriving to North America. In NZ and OZ all our family dreams are invested in Christmas and New Year. A good time to reach out to people who are still living with drinking and/or drugging... ...but, again I have to look after me, and my own family. I did raise the issue of out-reach with the group down the road... ...and I am certain I don't want to go it alone. Or maybe time to put my readers back on the bookshelf and slip into retirement from active recovery?
I plan to work on step 12 through December- including a visit to ta F@F meeting. Gratitude time. And to have a good look at Tradition 5, maybe in the New Year. One message [right now] coming from my higher power- "wait to be asked".
Yep, okay- who is going to ask? Where is the balance between giving and getting?
If I keep sharing I might start getting answers... ???
I am more content, more serene when I do the "work" needed. I tend to slip into old patterns, so always attending to the "work" is a good thing for me!
I hope you all enjoy your Sunday, Funday too!
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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