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 Hope for Today tells of the experience of a newcomer to Alanon who learns that in Alanon one's higher power need not be defined by past understanding of a higher power. In Alanon, members learn that they have choices. Each individual in the program can embrace a higher power of their choosing and in a manner that feels right for them. Each Alanon member has a right to define and redefine a choice of higher power along their recovery journey.
This is evidenced when the newcomer attends their first Alanon meeting. The reading states, "I could relax and let a higher power of my understanding evolve." The reading goes on to explain that the notion of a hp needn't be confined to a "small box." It goes on to describe the member's embrace of a higher power who cares for them, accepts them as they are - "a work of art in progress." They believe their hp can turn "tragedy into something positive," and that they have a higher power they can "treasure."
"In Alanon, we can come to understand the nature of a Power greater than ourselves in a personal, profound way and many of us have been amazed at the difference this understanding makes in our lives." As We Understood p.71
Thought for the Day
Does my concept of God fit the new, recovering me?
>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>
Firstly, I'm grateful to the many Alanon Traditions that remind me to leave religion outside the doors of Alanon. I've been put off by members who name and bash their religion while sharing. Alanon's traditions remind us that one's religion by it's name, tenets and one's opinion of it's teachings is best kept outside the doors of Alanon. Whether a positive or a negative experience with a particular religion our Alanon Traditions remind us that such pinpointed sharings separate us as members and from our primary purpose - to help families and friends of alcoholics. I'm grateful that Alanon is a spiritual program and believe a loving god speaks to me through my experiences and others particularly other Alanon members as they share Alanon program experience, strength and hope.
Today, I believe in a hp who cares for me and has my back. I've always like the term "Recovery is an inside job." Working the program, gaining self worth, self love has given me greater trust that a higher power, a power greater than myself is positively impacting my life. This has come about through lots of spiritual awakenings (life experiences), lessons that validate the presence of a loving higher power in my life. Faith in a loving hp certainly didn't come overnight, at least not in my case. It did however happen and I have much more serenity today because of it.
Today, I find it a bit easier to let go and be guided rather that take back my will, control and be my own higher power. My recovery behavior is prayer for guidance, then follow that guidance by doing the footwork and simply letting go and leaving the outcome to my hp. With time and experience, I've learned that my higher power's will for me is worthy of my trust - I am and always will be taken care of.
My current hp is the god of my understanding from my early years with my family but I now see that higher power through the eyes of recovery. I worked the Alanon steps with two Alanon sponsors who believed in g.o.d. good orderly direction only. This didn't impede my step work or their program guidance even when working steps 1,2,3. It only served to show me a spiritual program in action. Both of these sponsors exhibited sanity and serenity without a defined god, higher power. I can see how even our group conscience can be worked with using the slogan "Keep it Simple and g.o.d. good orderly direction.
What's your answer to the Thought for the Day question? "Does my concept of God fit the new, recovering me?" TT
-- Edited by tiredtonite on Saturday 23rd of October 2021 10:29:33 AM
__________________
Surround yourself with people and elements that support your destiny, not just your history.
TT and DM, thank you for sharing on this amazing topic.
The higher power concept seemed like a barrier to me when I first contemplated coming to Al-Anon, but I was so desperate that I decided to overlook it. TT, I understand your feeling when members "name and bash" any specific religion, as that does seem like an outside issue. I just pray that they can eventually learn to move past that anger and leave it outside the room, the same way we eventually learn to stop focusing on the alcoholic.
I also did not relate to the religion I was raised in, but now I have come to an understanding of my higher power. I call it a "wider power" because it is all around me, not above me, and I know it exists because of the ways it has been there for me. My sponsor shared something I really like. She replaces the word "faith" with the word "trust." The reason I believe in my higher power is that it has a track record. I have experienced its help. Therefore I trust my higher power, even when I cannot see it in the moment.
And yes, the recovering me has a higher power that perfectly fits me.
