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 page is about step two and its reference to sanity. The writer describes trying to acknowledge how insanity would be defined for him/her. The idea that he/she was working a recovery program but still engaging in attitudes like resentment, arrogance, and revenge- not that the defects themselves are the insanity, but holding onto them while knowing a different way is the insanity.
Step two is about the spiritual solution, and how when we trust that our Higher Power is there to guide us, we are better able to to the rings that are healthy for us.
Some specific things that have helped me when I notice I am allowing old resentments to take over, or am behaving from a reaction to fear or anxiety: consistently reading and writing from our books, correspondence with my sponsor, focus on the people and situations I am grateful for in my life.
The quotation at the end of this page (from the Forum) sums it up perfectly: In Step Two we acknowledge a power that is doing for us what we havent been able to do for ourselves and we realize that, as we learn to rely on that power, our lives are restored to sanity.
Thanks Mary for your service. All the steps have developed for me as my right hand guide AKA tools for living. During the past few months Ive also come to believe that although I have a deep spiritual relationship with God, I also hold alanon up there as an HP. I will celebrate 7 yrs in alanon next month and I truly cant imagine what my life would be like without this program. As for Step 2, yes, yes, and yes! I have sanity and serenity much of the time. Grateful member, Lyne
Thank you for your service, Mary, my Hope reader has been packed away so it's good to get a splash
Thank you Lyne for your ESH, and so great to hear of, not just 'time in AlAnon', but the great benefits you have and are enjoying...true miracles!
I wrestled with making this concept truly work for me early on as I tried to conceive how my personal beliefs (atheistic) could work with the spiritual concept in the steps.
Fortunately, AlAnon graciously accommodates all belief systems, and I was able to cue from Lyne's tack at first: acknowledge that the concepts of AlAnon were truly greater than mine, and I saw how they could lift me from my insanity if only I was willing to commit to honesty and true effort.
Like you Mary, consistent reading and meditation on the concepts enabled me to began weaving a spiritual tapestry unique to me but consistent with my fellow alanons. I began to see and feel a gradual change in my views of the world, self, and others, and less time in the insanity.
So grateful for the great flexibility and wisdom of the program, and the 'miracles' it encourages
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Paul
"...when we try to control others, we lose the ability to manage our own lives." - Paths to Recovery
Good morning and thanks Mary. This made me reflect back on the crazy days when all I felt was helpless and all I did was point fingers. After finding Alanon and learning from the experience and wisdom of others life is so different. The program and HP allowed me to regain and keep my sanity and serenity. I had the choice all along but didnt know it. Bringing it back to myself was a concept I took a bit to understand. I thought I had been doing this by complaining, crying about, allowing my life to be controlled by what AH was doing. Once I realized I could talk about me without AH in every statement how to truly focus on me. Then my choices came into view. Turning it over to god was another thing that put me on the path to sanity. It was nuts to think I could control another or so many things I had no business messing with. Its a sunny day and my people are healthy. I am feeling peaceful, sane and safe. I am grateful for the this.
It is a good reminder for me... to remember to ask myself "Why do I hold onto something that isn't working? Why do I keep trying to fit a square peg in a round hole?" It helps me to realize that I am CHOOSING to stay within the insanity. It helps me to realize that I am not without hope, or trapped. There is another way... I just need to be Open and Willing to try something different!
Going to work in the garden today (as much as possible with the heat), and redo the fashion-color in my hair. My peace has been broken somewhat b/c since I got off my shift on Friday, it seemed like everyone has given up on the social distancing/lockdown - whatever you want to call it... It was like they collectively said, "Whelp, it's May now... back to normal!" Despite what our governor says. And that has me feeling some anger. I know that I can't control others... but I do have a problem when I feel that other people just deny the facts that are staring them in the face... "It doesn't directly affect me, so it ain't happening." kind of thing. But we have over 60 cases in our little suburban city alone... and where I work, getting close to 400!
So I am back to square one... doing the things that can help keep me and my family safe... it was just kind of nice to feel like I didn't have to be so diligent all. the. time. The Safer At Home mandate took off some of that fear and responsibility from me, b/c "We are all in this together." Except now I don't feel that small relief.
So I am going to focus on nature today. Perhaps I may begin an art project that has been in my head, but was put off b/c of the pandemic. And I will write a Gratitude List (thanks Betty!).
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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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