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.
Good morning MIP family - happy day to one and all. Today's reading talks about how we can limit ourselves if/when we close our minds based on past experiences, relationships, patterns, habits, etc. The writer speaks from the Alateen perspective and shares doubt about Al-Anon adults, simply because of their exposure to alcoholic parents.
Instead, the writer discovers that they are the ones with a sick attitude, and a closed mind to all/most adults based on their sick parents. The writer realizes they were not learning as they resisted due to preconceived ideas and attitudes. Dealing with old resentments helped open the writer's mind and heart to healing wounds and finding safety with adults who were also healing from the affects of this disease.
Over time, with discipline and courage, the writer stopped pushing away all adults and came to love the parents who were doing the best they could. No longer wanting to change anyone but self, growth and healing continues.
Reminder: Al-Anon helps me to see things as they are. The people in my life aren't the way I sometimes think they should be. With Al-Anon's help I can love them for who they are, instead o who I think they should be.
Quote from Kenneth S. Davis: "Life truly lived is a risky business, and if one puts up to many fences against risk one ends by shutting out life itself."
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I love the way the reading reminds me that when my mind and heart are open, I will continue to learn, heal and grow. Practicing unconditional acceptance and love in recovery gives me courage to face life on life's terms, and leave others to be who they need to be. I can use healthy boundaries today which are easier to manage than the walls I used to put up. I am much more willing to take risks knowing that whatever the outcome, I am not a failure but rather an imperfect person trying new things!
I'm grateful for recovery and all I've learned. Make it a great day all - (((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
It really is amazing how much our own preconceived ideas about things can block us.
This is why I love that we emphasize that Al-Anon is a spiritual program, not a religious one - as it allows us all to work out our own very personal and very unique relationship to a higher power, instead of having to rely upon what was taught to us earlier in our lives.
This is why anonymity in the program is helpful, too - I often find myself becoming fast friends with people in the program whom I would likely otherwise have not really spent time with because of social, religious, economic, political differences, etc.
And of course, I cannot learn anything from ANY program if I think I already know everything!
Long and short of it, you can't fill a cup that's already full. Best to try to keep my "knowledge cup" on the empty side so there's always room for new perspectives to enter which I can then drink from.
