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.
Today's page in One Day At A Time In Al-Anon is short but powerful. It explains the meaning of the spiritual awakening mentioned in Step Twelve.
The spiritual awakening is a realization that we are not alone and helpless; we have learned certain truths which we are now able to carry on to others in order to help them.
Today's reminder is to keep myself ready for the spiritual awakening, and that when I surrender my will, I can see things in a new light. I will be able to make decisions governed by goodness and wisdom gained from a higher power.
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I love this explanation. For me, spiritual awakening was not a blinding flash of light. It came slowly, by throwing myself into the program, until I gradually started thinking differently, and then feeling differently. It was like slowly waking up from a bad dream -- and not being alone or helpless. Do I have flashbacks? Sure, but I can quickly wake up from them.
I also love how this page recognizes that the reader might still be waiting and working towards that awakening, and it offers a vision of what that will look like and how it benefits our daily life.
MIP friends, what do you think about spiritual awakening?. .
I enjoyed this Daily. I have always thought of myself as "spiritual" but not religious. I grew up being forced into a particular religion that as I grew, I found hypocritical. That pretty much then extended to my belief in most organized religions. I went through a period of "trying on" different faiths. That brought me better understanding of others, not more faith in myself... still, it was all good. Understanding of others keeps bigotry away.
I struggled both times I found Al-Anon b/c of the all the use of the "G" word. At least that is what I told myself. After much introspection, I realized that the trouble I had was with my unwillingness to be open to a power greater than myself. Oh yeah, intellectually I could read the info, and recite the info at F2F meetings, but I always held resentments for my life not being what I always thought it should've been. Now mind you, this part is a relatively new revelation for me!! It wasn't until I truly embraced ACCEPTANCE of everything that is and was in my life, did I begin to FEEL the spirituality of the program!
So, to answer your question... my spiritual awakening was very slow in coming, with jumps and starts. I had to Let Go to allow the magic to happen!
Finally Friday MIP Friends!! Running at half capacity at my work has been more stressful than I imagined it would be!! I have taken for granted the few nights I take for a meal with a friend over the past two years!! Even though we text and FT, I really miss that "breaking of bread" connection! I think it was about "decompressing" with someone you trust, not just about the food/drink. And just when I decided in my mind that it MIGHT be OK to meet a friend outside, distanced, with masks on, my bestest friend told me that her son was exposed to someone with a positive case of COVID-19 at his workplace. No one in that office was masked-up on that day, so they are especially nervous! Now he and all her family are in a 14 day quarantine - b/c they live together and spent Father's Day with her elderly parents! So my "prayers" are for her and that large family for good health!!!
Make it a great day, MIP!!!
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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
Thanks FT for your service and the question you asked in your share. I am a person who actually had a "spiritual awakening" about 30 years ago, which came in dream form two nights in a row. I had always been agnostic with a church experience through being a Unitarian. This was quite a shock to me, to have an experience at all, especially from Jesus, an entity I knew nothing about.
With my participation in alanon, now 7 yrs strong, my faith and spiritual beliefs just blossom and grow. I came to alanon to learn how to change my A, and I could make a list of positive changes from coping skills to my self esteem, which were all wonderful suprises. That's why I keep coming back, Lyne
Thank you FreeTime for your service and the daily. Thanks to all for your shares & ESH. I have had no burning bush which is kind of what I expected based on teachings of youth and my own 'spin' on the words 'spiritual experience'. I truly felt, as with so many things in life, that 'it would never happen to/for me'...
What has happened is a cosmic shift in my spirit, my attitude, my outlook, my journey. I truly have been saved from a self-sabotaging mind, attitude and way of thinking. I have no doubts there is a power greater than I and feel immensely grateful for the gift of humility and faith. For as long as I can recall, before recovery, my reliance was on self - I truly believed I knew best for me and others and set my efforts and expectations accordingly. Without malice, I ran myself into the ditch and affected the journey of others.
Today, I'm absolutely delighted to choose joy over being right. I don't insert myself into the journey of others, and instead focus deeply and often on Seek to Understand. I no longer feel the want/need to react to what's going on around me or to fix, correct, advise. My best course of action and service often includes kind words with empathy and compassion and prayers.
I no longer look for the many instances of God's work in my life, I kind of expect it. I'm grateful for this journey, the changes and truly still believe the best is yet to come. When I got out of the way, things greatly improved for me/my journey!
Happy Friday MIP family - played 27 holes of golf -- off to find some lunch and then a lovely siesta! (((Hugs))) - 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
I had a "hot flash" sort of spiritual awakening when I was about 20. It lasted about 3 days.
It was a true rite of passage- but it didn't not guarantee an easy ride through life. In that respect nothing much changed.
About that time I went to an AA-Alanon open meeting and listened to speakers. I was interested in finding ways of helping alcoholics.
Somehow someone identified me as an Alanon prospect- and i recall clearly the talk I had there with a member. [With gratitude!]
I did not join until 13 years later- when a group became available, in my home town. I was one of the founding members.
In those fIrst alone years I studied mysticism and religion looking for answers. And a whole lot of other stuff. It was this curiosity that saved me, really...
Thanks for the topic, Freetime- and for your valuable service. ...
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Thanks for the topic, Freetime- and for your valuable service. 
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