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.
I am posting Friday night so that all the people on the east coast may see this in the early a.m. Sat!
Step 6 talks about becoming entirely ready to have God remove all my defects of character. As the author continues explaining, they say that this readiness rarely appears in a sudden blinding flash of enlightenment. Instead, as they struggle to make progress in a positive direction, they become ready a little at a time. An important part of their 6th Step work is practicing gratitude. The more they give thanks for their life as it is, the more they can accept the healing that allows them to change and grow. They go onto to say that this step is a lesson in patience.
Today's Reminder: "Progress not perfection" applies to my readiness to let go of my defects, as well as to other parts of my Al-Anon program. One day at a time, I make progress in readiness.
I have found that I don't really get a blinding flash of enlightenment either. I found my journey -especially in the beginning - to be 2 steps forward and 1 step back. I had to really employ patience with myself!
Today I am embracing "Progress not perfection." Whenever Iamhere says that she is "Perfectly Imperfect" I smile and think, "Me too!"
I am praying for those states hit hardest with COVID-19 right now. Please continue to do your "best practices" to keep you and others from contracting the virus... the overwhelmed and over-worked nurses and doctors will thank you!
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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
Dear Pnp Thank you so much for your prayers. Our state will undoubtedly go on another lock down soon. In fact I was in a meeting with some people from local government. They feel it is inevitable. I know my neighbors are really worrie They are all going to get tested. That is so hard on prople. Being around alcoholism we are always waiting for the other shoe to drop. In some ways we are so prepared for these times we are all so efficient in a crisis.
Thank you PnP for your service and for the above shares. I love the slogan, progress not perfection, and I can see that in myself. It took me a while in program to ask for HP to take my shortcomings, because I was so focused on my A, I only saw those. And now 7 years later, I'm asking God to take my character defects every morning in prayer. I readily and openly acknowledge my personal issues and truly believe I want to rid myself of them. I try to work on them as I can, but a little divine intervention wouldn't hurt!
Good morning MIP! Thank you PnP for your service and the daily. Thank you all for your ESH & Shares. I am a stubborn soul, willful, independent, intelligent and driven. All of these can be defects or assets - depending upon the day, the mood, the situation, etc. I can see now that before recovery and step work, these and many more elements of my character were exploited in my right-fighting and battle against this disease and more.
I love that Step 6 suggests we work to be ready. It doesn't tell me that I'll say a prayer one day, and be defect-free the same/next day. Instead, it just suggests to me that I be ready and willing to be/do different. What a relief!! As I reflect on my journey, there have been moments where an Aha moment has hit me upside the head like a 2x4! I do now consider these spiritual awakenings or divine inspiration or even divine intervention....I really do not care what they are called or labeled yet I can sit here and struggle with an issue, a child, a resentment or 'other' and literally it seems, after contemplation, discussions, prayer, etc. --- the answers come!
I share this because that's where the 'perfectly imperfect' came from. I can no longer remember what battle I was 'in', or what life event was happening, yet it hit me like a ton of bricks - be gentle with you, you are 'perfectly imperfect'; all is well. I will admit that the next day. or shortly thereafter came the other part - SO IS EVERYONE ELSE, SO BE GENTLE WITH THEM TOO!!
Other basic Aha Awakenings for me include:
- It's unhealthy for me to care more about another person than they do.
- Pause often/always to pray before proceeding.
- Wants & needs are not the same; your needs will always be met.
- Embrace diversity; unconditional love and unconditional acceptance lead to true serenity and grace.
I could go on and on....I truly believe that the God of my understanding will always lead me where I need to go when I need to be there. I have much more grace for myself and others, and truly expect mistakes as that's just part of our human experience. I did not embrace life this way at all prior to my recovery journey. I am a grateful person now, and focus on that each/every day...
We are in an area where positive cases are beyond 'on the rise'. We are also in a 'purple' state so there are different views on the virus, masks, distancing, etc. What I do know is I can keep choosing to be a part of the solution. I so agree that our program has helped us be better prepared for all that's our current. Please stay safe all!! Love and light 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
Maresie - I believe you are spot on when it comes to Al-Anoner's singular ability to cope... it is kind of sad that we tend to believe not IF the other shoe will drop, but WHEN. So yeah, I feel we may be better equipped to handle the stressors of the pandemic.
I really, really like what you said... "I can detach and focus like a laser on my goals." That one little sentence was inspiring!
Lyne - I am quite familiar with my shortcomings, and now I also know which of my qualities are really good, but can become overblown and negative. I too, ask my HP for Grace from all that each and every morning. I have become WILLING to behave and react differently! Great ESH!
Iamhere - I love that you listed your most 'important" AHA moments. They are all really good and healthy IMHO! I gain much understanding reading your ESH... thank you!
My county has never been out of the Purple during this pandemic. Even though I live in a "smaller" town associated with this county, it was reported 45 new cases in our city over the weekend. That is a big deal for us. Still, overall, CA's percentages are pretty low compared to other states. TBH, this spike is in directly correlation with people being more lax over Halloween. My folks and I were invited to a block get-together. Supposedly masked and distanced, but all three of us agreed that now wasn't the time to be doing this. So we politely declined. Turns out we were correct with our assumption. One way Al-Anon is helping me cope, is to not look at the worst-case scenario. Instead of panicking, I just discussed the need for us three to up our virus protocols (that may have waned over the summer months), and I offered to begin grocery shopping for them. I did not feel the need to INSIST on this... that is a big deal for me, as before Al-Anon, I would've started an argument as to why this would be the best solution, w/o considering their feelings as autonomous adults... my FEAR just would not let me let it go. Today, I can offer my services and accept that they may not want/need them now. I can then trust them to follow the virus protocols to help keep them safe.
Thank you all for responding... I learn from each one of you... that is the beauty of this site! Please enjoy the weekend, and stay safe!
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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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