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.
The simplicity of a slogan does not rule out varied interpretation, sometimes fueled by long held notions.
Example in today's reading: Let Go, Let God may sound to some as an easy way out: Announce abandonment of a problem over to god's care, forget about it, and it gets magically resolved.
While the page does not mention Step 11 specifically, it is a reminder that the slogan does not imply an avoidance of responsibility or the taking of necessary action. We still must use our gifts of free will, intelligence, and reason.
Reminder: We benefit from god's guidance, but must be willing to carry that out. Such an attitude will allow us to see better what that may be as it is gradually revealed to us.
"Surrender to God's will does not give us a passport to inertia. Each of us must try to carry out God's will, which He transmits to us in ways we recognize only after we have made ourselves willing and aware." - Unknown ----------------------- Before I found AlAnon I had notions that turning things over to a god concept was a copout, a ducking of responsibility and a coward/slacker way out. I attempted to control many things I should not, and in fact could not.
AlAnon has helped me to build a relationship with a higher power that encourages me to look and wait for his will rather than force mine. This leaves more time for me to focus on changing the things I can within myself.
Working daily to build a better perspective on what I should let go of (control of outcomes) and what I should apply effort towards (my own attitudes and actions) has made a huge, positive difference in my life and relationships.
So grateful for the wisdom and reminders of the program
__________________
Paul
"...when we try to control others, we lose the ability to manage our own lives." - Paths to Recovery
Thank you Paul for your service and for both above shares. Since participation in program I have come to see that trying to handle this disease (any many other things) on my own, was a disaster! I had no clue how to deal with my A and became trapped in a downward cycle that lasted years. It is a relief to me now, when I am able to Let go and let God. I am not alone and have multiple avenues for help. It was admitting that I needed assistance that was the hard part. At this point, Ill take all the help I can get!
Happy Tuesday MIP....thank you Paul for your service and the daily. Thanks to all above me for your shares & ESH. For as long as I can remember, I've been a willful soul. I was overly curious and inquisitive as a child, and it continued to adulthood and beyond. I was the one who had no issue standing up and saying, "Why?" to punishment, chores, religious traditions, etc. Needless to say, my parents were not well equipped to deal with their 4th and last child (me), also their only daughter after 3 reasonably compliant boys.
As I hit adulthood and began experiencing life, I found it utterly shameful and disappointing that my way and my will were not freely adopted by all. I am intelligent and I don't spew answers/suggestions/advice without research and diligence. It never, truly dawned on me - until recovery - that each person I encounter had their own free will, their own journey, their own life to live, success/mistakes, pain/joy, etc. I just never gave 'this' a thought until my way brought me to my knees in utter despair, looking for solutions that were beyond my typical efforts.
Most of the slogans in this program seemed silly to me and worthless until they weren't. I can never recall exactly at what point in my journey things became more clear, yet they did. All I know is that for me to change, I had to be Honest, Open and Willing (HOW). Recovery was the first place I appeared where all that I know/knew was of no significant value for progress. I had to wipe my slate clean, and restart. In this effort, I finally changed how I see my HP and how I need my HP.
Letting go and letting God for me doesn't mean I get to sit around, eating ice cream waiting for all things to be sorted out or 'fixed'. Instead, it means I continue to do my self-changing journey while allowing God to lead me and others where we should be/go. My journey and my way may or may not be good for another, and today, I am much better at stepping to the side, allowing others to be/do what they need to and redirect my worry/anxious energy right back to what's next for me.
I am all about a daily effort to treat this disease and it's affects within me. I have more success some days than other days and that's OK and part of my human experience. On my worst days, I am still much better off than BR (Before Recovery). The God of my understanding is willing, armed and able to handle all that I am willing to hand off - what a relief!! Happy Tuesday MIP - no golf for me - too chilly today - adulting around the house is the plan. 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
