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.
No...says today's contributor, not in the midst of trying times and circumstances and pressure of making decisions. No time to slip away to read a favorite Alanon chapter or attend a meeting, it is helpful to develop a quick, powerful resource we consistently draw upon to assist us.
Perhaps, then, condensed Alanon in capsule form: Slogans such as Let Go, Let God...Live and Let Live...Easy Does It that retrieve thought and behavior cliff notes...fast acting, easy to digest, recommended by Alanoners everywhere.
Reminder: Dwelling constantly amidst the forest of our problems reduces our ability to see them objectively and respond appropriately. Don't lash on old memories or fears of the future to our present decision vehicle, it will ease travel.
"He who frees himself of hampering regrets for the past and worry about what lies ahead finds himself able to deal with the present." - unattributed ---------------- This is a good callout and reminder; I have absolutely underutilized Alanon slogans. The Serenity prayer was the first phrase I started using when I found it in Alanon, it has been my consistent crisis go-to for pulling me back to center in difficult moments.
I want to make Slogans a study project: identify the areas I struggle with most/currently, identify the slogan that hits it, study the connected principles, focus on a single one and use it consistently to build up the habit of reaching for it when it counts...in action.
Grateful for the reminders and wisdom of Alanon
__________________
Paul
"...when we try to control others, we lose the ability to manage our own lives." - Paths to Recovery
Thanks Paul for your service and for all above ESH. My first sponsor was very wise. On a daily basis she asked me to list a gratitude, an asset, and a slogan to focus on for the day. I did that for a couple years and wow, it really helped move me along. I still can get a little stuck in the past or future, but I try to use my tools and go forward. ODAT. Progress not perfection.
Good morning, Paul and all who have shared. Thank you all for your service.
I love "condensed Alanon in capsule form" to describe the slogans. I'm going to try to remember that and share it in a meeting. Recently while thinking about the slogans, I felt that they are First Aid to apply in an emergent situation, to relieve the immediate pain and keep us breathing until we can get to the longer-lasting recovery of working a step or talking with a sponsor or trusted Al-Anon friend.
My favorite slogan is One Day At A Time, and lately I have also been loving Keep It Simple and First Things First.
Thank you Paul for your service /ESH. I appreciate the shares-they gave me tools to apply RIGHT NOW. I was getting irritable because I took on a project that requires more effort than I envisioned. Decided to pause and check the board. I realized I had not eaten. I applied progress not perfection and am grateful to have MIP to enlighten and elevate...Thanks for the reminder to use every tool available to guide me through each day.
Thank you for your post, Paul and thanks for the replies... I can easily backslide into beating myself up and the slogans are great reminders/ support that I could practice using more. 'Let it start with me' also resonates because when I start down a darker path, I have a choice to pause and more constructively respond or remove myself from the situation.
