Al-Anon Family Group

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.

Members Login
Username 
 
Password 
    Remember Me  
Miracles In Progress 12 Step Recovery Forums -> Al-Anon Family Group -> Al-Anon Family Group -> Courage to Change February 3
Post Info TOPIC: Courage to Change February 3
Skorpi


~*Service Worker*~

Status: Offline
Posts: 1095
Date:
Courage to Change February 3
Permalink  

Today's author shares their initial thoughts about serenity, and how those thoughts changed over time. 

When the author first arrived at Al-Anon, they heard that the principles of the program could lead to serenity. The author, however, didn't want serenity - sitting on top of a mountaintop with a silly grin on their face. What the author wanted was for Al-Anon to cure the alcoholic, undo the damage of the past, or at least pay the gas bill. The author was more interested in passion than serenity. But over time, the author came to understand that serenity wouldn't remove their passion, instead, serenity provided an inner security through trust in a Higher Power that allowed the author to live life fully and passionately, to make strong choices and take risks. The inner serenity gave the author confidence that, whatever happened, they would be able to deal with it. Serenity, it turned out, is a great treasure. 

Today's Reminder: Today I seek serenity, knowing that when I am serene, I am capable of becoming more fully, and more passionately, myself.

Today's Quote: Without this program I could not have appreciated how truly wonderful my life can be in spite of difficult situations. . . . In All Our Affairs

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

Like the author, I remember coming to Al-Anon several times, hoping to find a cure for my wife's alcoholism. I thought a few tips, knowing the right thing to do or say, would magically make her stop drinking and then, everything else would fall perfectly into place. Well, it turns out that even with sobriety, nothing fell "perfectly in place" but thanks to the Al-Anon program, I was able to see the beauty of the process and the perfection of the mess. Like the author, serenity has helped me to live my life in a way that I want to live it. For me, it is calm and balanced. When I have an inner calm and feel in balance, I'm able to see opportunities around me and live my life to the fullest. 

Some excitement here over the weekend - I had water running down the inside of my kitchen wall. Turns out, there were a few massive ice dams on the roof. Here's another benefit of the program for me: I was able to call an Al-Anon friend to help me remove snow from the roof and add some salt. Now, I know how to get up on my roof, and the kitchen wall is drying. I also have a nice fall project: installing heat tape on the roof to prevent ice dams next winter. Without the program, I would have been out there by myself, wondering why I live so far from my family, unsure of how to best deal with the issue alone. 

I hope you make today a great day! 

 



__________________

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
Debb


~*Service Worker*~

Status: Offline
Posts: 579
Date:
Permalink  

Happy Wednesday Skorpi, thank you for today's reading, your service and and ESH.

So happy you had help and found a solution to your ice dam problem!! We have the same issue with our home as well,

so I can totally relate. We have a very long large roof rake that we use to remove the snow before it dams up.

I so appreciate Al-Anon because of the many tools and slogans that I can tap into to keep my perspective. When issues

arise and the chaos ensues I've got the ability with the help of my HP to stop and reflect before I react, therefore giving

me the where with all to make decisions with grace instead of fear and anger. The beauty of this program, for me is that

it has helped me not only with dealing with AH but with almost every other part/people in my life. So grateful!

Have a great day yourself!!

__________________

"Forgiveness doesn't excuse bad behavior, but does prevent bad behavior from destroying your heart" ~ Unknown

Debbie
Lyne


~*Service Worker*~

Status: Offline
Posts: 2767
Date:
Permalink  

Thanks Skorpi for your service and for all above great shares. I too, came for the cure, only to find, there wasnt one, at least not the one I had hoped for. And I used to hear those words in my F2F, that I could find peace and contentment no matter what the alcoholic was doing. And I used to think, yeah right, good luck with that one!

Fast forward several years of program, and it has become a dream come trueI do feel serene and peaceful much of the time, no matter what my A is doing. And I dont like a lot of the things my A is doing. Things are not perfect and will never be. But I feel pretty darn good way more than I used to. Grateful member.

__________________

Lyne
Maresie888


~*Service Worker*~

Status: Offline
Posts: 1360
Date:
Permalink  

In essence I came to.this program largely about the effects of someone else. Then I found myself
I am in a transition process and in the first baby steps of moving on with my life
I have had tremendous insights into myself and what is holding ne back. I am going to a grief group and find it immensely helpful
Then I am also in a place of acceptance that I have never had before
It is coming up to a year ago that I had to move out of this space
That time was so difficult for me. I was so full of fear and felt completely unmoored. Now I am back in control
I.am also back in the saddle even though much of my life is complicated and up and down
Last year was a tumultuous one but I gained tremendously from it. I have vaulted into another sphere of recovery


__________________
Iamhere


~*Service Worker*~

Status: Offline
Posts: 11569
Date:
Permalink  

Thank you Skorpi for your service and the daily. Thank you all for your ESH & shares. I can raise my hand as one who also came wanting a cure for my A(s) and truly felt I had no issues. My life 'was' peaceful and could be again 'if only they would ......................................'

Needless to say, recovery has been and continues to be a process. The more I lean into my HP, the suggestions in our program and get my own will out of the way, the better my days go. I do handle 'life' much better than before simply because I see and respond way differently than before. I know now that 'life' events are not all catastrophic; that's my mind building mountains out of molehills. I also know today that I am not alone - others also have 'life' events, pain, sadness, disappointment, etc. and together, we can choose to not 'be alone'.

So, so glad you found a solution to the ice dam and the kitchen walls skorpi - that would have been interesting to wake up to!! Certainly, for me, a 'I need coffee to think' moment!!

Happy hump day everyone - hope you had and are having a great day!

__________________

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

 

 
Page 1 of 1  sorted by
 
Quick Reply

Please log in to post quick replies.
Miracles In Progress 12 Step Recovery Forums -> Al-Anon Family Group -> Al-Anon Family Group -> Courage to Change February 3