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.
Hello, MIP friends, and happy Thanksgiving to those who celebrate -- and to everyone, I hope you find something to be grateful for today.
I am posting the Friday share early. I usually post on Thursday night, but tonight I expect to be busy doing the dishes and cleaning up after a wonderful feast cooked by my children -- and to be ever so grateful that I am washing those dishes! Thanksgiving looks like it is going to be small and blissful (expectations, yikes!!!) -- and for that I am so grateful because it has not always been this way. The holidays were uncomfortable for a number of years, and there was a traumatic Thanksgiving right around when I first came to Al-Anon. If today carries anxiety or sadness for you, believe me, I have been there.
Today's author in Courage to Change always felt like they didn't belong, and they even didn't think they belonged in Al-Anon at first. But learning how they, and others, had been affected by the family disease of alcoholism, they recognized that others knew what they were going through. They decided to begin recovery and break the pattern.
Today's Reminder: In Al-Anon I find people who understand as few others can. If I have been affected by the drinking of another, I need not doubt that I belong.
Quote from In All Our Affairs: "No matter what the difficulty, no matter how unique we may feel, somewhere nearby are men and women with similar stories who have found help, comfort, and hope through recovery in Al-Anon."
I feel these reminders deeply, and I hope you all know you are not alone.
Thank you Freetime for your service and the daily. I opted to stay in bed well beyond my usual up and at 'em approach. It was so nice to move along after the sun was up vs. well before. As I was contemplating the day, it dawned on me that keeping it as simple as possible was a great strategy. So, I decided before my feet hit the ground that I was only making Turkey, Taters/Gravy, Stuffing, Pie & Cinnamon Bread. I love the sides but my AH doesn't, and I'm just as happy with the 'key things' for the meal so - simple and less won the day!
Needless to say, we were eating by lunch-time...Of course, there was a post meal nap and football. It's been a low-key, no other family, easy/simple day and I have to admit - I really like it! A part of me misses the extended family gathering and another part of me is content and serene with a different way/day.
Happy Thanksgiving to one and all - I'm grateful for MIP, my program, my recovery and my HP!
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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
Thank you FT for your service and share. For most of my life I felt like I didnt belong, and I never planned to go to a F2F meeting nor have a sponsor. But then the pain from being stuck in a downward cycle left me no choice but to give alanon a try. And Im so glad I did! I didnt understand much about the first meetingmany people seemed happy and of course the format made no sense. And those silly slogans scattered about the floor. But after listening I felt home, and maybe thats why its called a Home Group. I still go to mine, now on zoom. I have a bond with about 5 core members thats like no other. Grateful member and yes, I belong here!
