The material presented
here is not Al-Anon Conference Approved Literature. It is a method
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information, ideas, feelings, problems and solutions on a personal
level.
Good morning MIP! Today's reading is about 'Keep Coming Back' and what that can mean for one's recovery! It opens with the thought that Al-Anon is a discipline that requires diligence, patience, and consistency for the best results. All tools - meetings, Steps and practicing the principles to each day help life become more enjoyable and full.
When we 'see' our progress, we know it's working. When we plateau or feel stuck, it's harder to 'see' our progress. If we remain consistent and practice patience and keep putting one foot in front of the other, we find we are still growing even when we feel uncertain. Most of us find that the results are worth the wait!
Reminder: Whether or not I see immediate benefits, today I choose to "Keep Coming Back."
Quote: "Patience is the key to paradise." -- Turkish proverb
Patience has been hugely important in my recovery. Most of my life, I've not been very patient, which often leads me to think I need to impose my will over people, places and things. Recovery has helped me rethink 'all that' and instead, just embrace recovery each day, one day at a time and to trust the process.
I'm easing back into my usual routine after being with my parents and gone for 2 weeks. I'm grateful for all I've learned in recovery as the transition to a modified normal with my parents and the transition back to my preferred normal has felt more natural and comfortable than ever before. I feel no urgency to 'catch up' which is a gift of consistently trying to apply the program in all my affairs!
I will Keep Coming Back as I believe in the power of recovery in changing me and truly enjoy the rewards of effort.
Happy Thursday to one and all - make it 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
Welcome back (((Iamhere)) and thanks for the daily and share. I, too am very grateful for this program and a new way of life. I came, I came to, I came to believe. I was a skeptic when I initially walked through the doors of Alanon; led in by fear and desperation. I have been able to apply the principles of the program to so many life situations beyond ones related to alcoholism. That was an unexpected gift and what has kept me coming back. I see it as a program for living the best life I can give myself with the guidance of my loving higher power. TT
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Surround yourself with people and elements that support your destiny, not just your history.
Glad to see you back IAH.....thank you for your service
I am soooo grateful to HP to have been able to see my progress and growth with this roommate situation....and patience has NOT been one of my strengths, but by working my program...ODAT and one thing at a time, sticking with it and plodding along with slips and sucesses, I saw big time recovery in me with this roommate....I was so happy and grateful to my HP for letting this experience into my life to SHOW me that my hard work IS paying off......diligence and discipline....key factors in how much I grow...I am even MORE hungry for program because I am finally seeing good results...............
How are your folks???? Hope mom and dad are on road to recovery...Lots of us prayed for you and yours
Good to see you back, Iamhere! Thank you for posting the Daily, and I hope that you enjoy continued good health - I guess now you have to isolate for 14 days? I know from a previous post that your parents are on the mend, and that brings me happiness.
I have always enjoyed Patience in my countenance. However, living with an addicted person made that great thing about me, all but disappear! I wanted to fix things... I wanted to "Love it Away," and I wanted things to "get back to normal" like... YESTERDAY! I can chuckle about it now, but I had developed a bad way of thinking that nullified any patience that I had in my body. This program has helped me find that lost piece of me!
Like TT, I have found this program can be applied to all aspects of my life to varying degrees. Forever grateful.
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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
Good morning, IAH and all, and thank you for this topic. "Keep coming back" -- I remember hearing it at my first meetings, and I felt so warmly welcomed. I still remember the woman who greeted me and hugged me at my first meeting. She was so excited for me. I call her my "Ala-mom" because her welcome of me as a newborn Al-Anon was so enthusiastic and sincere.
I often wonder how newcomers feel when they come in despair and we say "keep coming back." It's just three little words that cannot really express all that we can gain when we dive into the program and work it. I imagine some feel angry or depressed that they did not get the answer they were seeking/expecting at that first meeting or first online post. And yet it's all we can say in a short time, to express that there is hope, that if we keep coming back week by week and day by day, we can be restored to sanity.
In my area, some of the groups chant at the end of the meeting -- "Keep coming back, it works if you work it, so work it cause you're worth it!" Is this common where you live? Honestly I think it's one of those things that is so hokey -- but it's true!
I'm grateful for all of you who keep coming back. And IAH, I am glad you're back in your home and routine.
{{{IAH}}} Missed your posts and I'm so happy to see you back on MIP! Thanks for your service and I'm sure you helped your folks get through their very difficult time.
I was quite a skeptic when I started program and the steps, slogans, Keep Coming Back, etc., all seemed like such silly little nothings. I was in great pain and needed help yesterday. But my gut feeling told me to stick it out, find a sponsor, and the rest is history. As I practice my tools and go to meetings and write on the board, in retrospect I see my progress. That's why I keep coming back. It works. And as I live with my A half of each week, I have the opportunity to fall back or move forward. I'll take moving forward, Lyne
"Keep coming back, it works if you work it, and you're worth it." The meetings in my area end this way, and I was struck initially, and continue to be, by the affirmative message that I'm worth taking care of. My first few meetings were online, and didn't end this way. Took me longer to come back that when the meetings end this way.
I have times each year (multiple times each year) when I feel like my program is on auto-pilot. I go to meetings because my group is small, and I feel an obligation to be there. (a good obligation, but still an obligation.) I don't feel like I'm getting much out of the meetings, and I don't see the progress. But, invariably after these periods, I suddenly notice that I've made leaps of progress in my program. Seems HP does the heavy lifting while I'm not paying attention. All that is required of me is that I show up, keep showing up, and wait. Now, I can look back on this process as my process, my recovery pattern, and I can hold on to the promise of progress in the program if I keep coming back when I'm feeling like I've reached a stand-still.
So glad to see you, IAH!
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Skorpi
If you are depressed, you are living in the past. If you are anxious, you are living in the future. If you are at peace, you are living in the present. - Lao Tzu
Good morning Sis and thanks for the opening. Glad all is so much better for you and glad also that you have encouraged the shares above from the MIP family. I didn't wait to open up the board because again I was anxious for the support. I sat at the table, read the literature especially the ODAT entry by Dr. Harry Tiebout on the "Difference between submission and Surrender" which was huge for me when I got here because I needed the tools for my recovery. I've carried his wisdom all these years to help guide my recovery behavior.
I respect getting reminded of it by the fellowship here as I read the ESH shares. Thank you HP for such as Dr. Harry.
Seems like HP used you so well with your parents Sis. Bless your courage to change the things you can. ((((Hugs))))
Thanks all for the welcome back....it feels good to ease back into my routines! I must admit that it was hard to leave and it was hard to leave without hugs and contact. I feel blessed that I could go and be of service.
Yesterday, my dad was 'no energy/low energy' and today, my mom was 'no energy/low energy'. Beyond that, they are really not having any serious symptoms. I purchased and left a pulse oximeter and gave them instructions, contacts, etc. This is one of the most telling factors for the virus and it's seriousness.
I've been calling each day and will continue to do so - maybe for life! I've had a to-go bag packed for 10 years in case they had an emergency. I can tell you that because of this virus, my go-bag has expanded to include masks, gloves, disinfectant, alcohol, thermometers, tylenol, and so much more!
Love and light all - appreciate greatly the prayers, thoughts, support and more!
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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
IAH: i admire you tenacity and passion for caring for your parents. I believe this pandemic will stimulate a debate where we review how we care for older adults
What an incredible achievement it is for you to have nursed your parents through a deadly pandemic. To do that all alone without the support of your family is an incredible achievement.
Caring for an elderly parent is not a simple task but in a pandemic it has to be confusing frustrating and extremely taxing Doing all that outside of your comfort zone is also an incredible achievement. I have not been in my home environment for 4 months and trying to recuperate from many illnesses was complicated by not having that home base.
I know that in my recovery I have struggled with issues around how to respond to an #emergency# This environment had certainly been a challenging one.
I am so proud and happy to know someone who rose to that challenge so sucessfully. Thank you for sharing that journey with us. I deeply appreciate it.
(((Maresie888))) - thank you for your kind and supportive words. Would it surprise you if I shared that what happened, my response to it and the outcome still shock and surprise me? I still sit here at times and can't believe that I set aside any reservations, concerns, distancing, etc. and just got in my car and crossed the country to care for my parents. I'm on Day 6 of the suggested 14 day quarantine, and I've heard from countless family and friends who keep asking me if I feel OK....everyone (myself included) is just surprised I spent 2 weeks with 2 infected people and show no symptoms.
For me, that's the miracle of the God of my understanding....I got nothing else to point to for my decisions, actions, fearlessness and of course, the outcomes.
I can't wait for you to get back into your 'digs' and get resettled in your space and life! You've managed the unexpected, extended stay with your dysfunctional friend way better than I probably would! Keep us posted and let us know when we get to have a virtual 'house warming party'! Love and light to you!
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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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