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Miracles In Progress 12 Step Recovery Forums -> Al-Anon Family Group -> Al-Anon Family Group -> Courage to Change 10/2
Post Info TOPIC: Courage to Change 10/2
Freetime


~*Service Worker*~

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Courage to Change 10/2
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Service and recovery -- the author of today's page finds that service to the Al-Anon group is essential to personal recovery, specifically because it brings them into contact with newcomers, which is a reminder of what is really important.  Remembering what it was like to first come into Al-Anon, today's trivial problems fall into perspective.  Being approachable and talking to newcomers is a reminder of reality -- the past that was struggling alone with alcoholism, and the present living with a fellowship and having tools to cope. Service helps to have gratitude for how far we have come.

Today's reminder:  The Al-Anon program was there for me when I needed it. I will do what I can to ensure that it continues to thrive. I know that any service I offer will strengthen my own recovery.  

Quote from In All Our Affairs: "God did for me what I couldn't do for myself. He got me involved in service work... It saved my life, may family, my sanity.

------------------------------------------

Today I am so grateful for service and what it has done for me.  I'm grateful that I was in the middle of a service task for my Al-Anon district, and had to take a break from it to write this post. I'm grateful that I have more service tasks ahead of me, and that people actually express their appreciation of me! I am grateful that I have the health and resources to be of service.  

When I have had some rough spots while doing service -- as stressful as those were -- I have grown from that, and I even realized that I could have a service sponsor and bounce things off them, so the thing I was worried about became manageable or even disappeared altogether.

I especially love the tradition that we have rotation of leadership.  I think it's why Al-Anon has been around so long, because it is not dependent on any one person, and we have to keep changing who's in charge.  It makes me give up a role that I have enjoyed, and got comfortable with, but it also gives me the opportunity to take on a new role and go through that learning process so I can get comfortable again. I have met some people in service that I thought were difficult, or not my type -- and have actually come to like, admire, and appreciate them.

I will get off my soapbox now, but I just have to say, looking back at the night I walked into that room at a church, in a state of shock and despair that alcoholism had removed all my hope for joy in life -- to now, when each day has joy, productivity, and self-care -- I am humbled with gratitude for this program, and will serve whenever and however I am able.



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DavidG


~*Service Worker*~

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Posts: 2940
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  aww Service just creeps up on us. My experience with our home group here was devastating.

      I found that often a group takes 18 to 24 months to build up... and losing gone is a big loss!

     But we do live and learn. "no use crying over spilt milk" my mum used to say.

     But it does take time to take stock- and try approaches that are less scary.

I really like it here, because there are so many seasoned members. And though we do make mistakes, I am sure

there is always a way through; through personal change, through patience, and through a pretty awesome group

conscience.

Part of the problem for a lot of us is that we try far too hard... too earnest. Having been around perfectionists a lot-

who won't ever admit then they fall short. And with is picking this up as a norm. blankstare 

...With all of us around who have Step 10 under our belts, much of the time this seems to get easier and easier to understand.. aww ...

We had a big winter snap- with snow last week- but now heading back into spring.

Going to sailing apopo [tomorrow, that is...]... to see a grand-son row- but it is so windy-

that may be called off...

mais c'est la vie... one day at a time...

smile Thanks Freetime... aww ...



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Each Alanon member is my teacher.                                                                                                                  
Lyne


~*Service Worker*~

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Thanks FT for your service! My weekly service on the board here makes me happy, and I often lead meetings at my F2F now zoom meetings. I always feel grateful for everyone else who not only do official service, but just by folks sharing. All the shares and service help me become a better person. THANK YOU EVERYONE!

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Lyne
Iamhere


~*Service Worker*~

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Posts: 11569
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Thank you FT for your service and the daily. There is a huge return on investment for me when I am of service to others. I did not realize how self-serving and selfish I was with my thoughts and deeds before recovery and practice doing better. I can still be 'extreme' and have to be mindful of over-committing - a pesky little defect - which then has me neglecting my self-care. I just seem to do best when I stick to my routines as best as possible, which do leave open time each day for 'unexpected life'.

I feel that when I am able to be of service to another in need, I am my best self. I have learned that I do enjoy giving to others, and as I've matured, and gotten healthier, I consider doing something of service every day part of my routine.

With this pandemic, it can be as simple as reaching out to others - members, friends, etc. or even here. I feel it takes all of us to stay serene, sane and on track - so grateful for MIP and all of you! Happy Friday all - I decided to skip golf today and catch up around here on some things. It's definitely fall now - our temps. this morning were hovering around 40 with some wind from the North - not optimal golf weather for this warm-weather-loving gal. Love and light all - (((Hugs))) too!



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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

 

 
Maresie888


~*Service Worker*~

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Posts: 1360
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I.am defintely someone who tends to be.over committed to service. Unfortunately because I had.not done the work needed on myself I had to learn how to back off. Indeed in these days I work really hard to reign myself in Nevertheless I am beginning to see that my being in recovery is a service to others. My taking care of myself is a service to others. Moreover my showing up.for my life is a service to others. I am part of the solution rather than the problem As someone who was scapegoated religiously as a child this is.a new.paradigm for me. I work hard on being functional. I.cannot say I have always been capable.of doing that. The more.functional.I.am the less.of.a target I am. Being a target was.indeed my life.mission in the past I would only walk.away from certain interactions.when I was practically destroyed. Now I know that there are certain fights I do not need to show up for. The beginning was with my family of origin. I am so grateful to al anon for providing me with the tools and framework to gradually withdraw from the victim mode. Now I am beginning to have the Live and let live mode adopted by al.anon founders. I most certainly could not have conceived of that.philpsophy when I.came into.the program Maresie

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