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.
The writer realized that after living with alcoholism, a disease of attitudes, they had been left with a poor self-image and a negative outlook. But they realized that one can transform themself, by changing self-defeating attitudes. One can become a more beautiful human being by freely expressing their inner beauty, by putting love first, and practicing gratitude.
Quote: Sometimes it is necessary to reteach a thing its loveliness...until it flowers again from within...
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It's been a very long journey changing my negative self-attitudes into a self that I can love and respect. Years of therapy, and being successful in a career, could not overcome the messages I learned in my FOO (family of origin) and then two marriages to alcoholics. It's only by working with sponsors, attending F2F meetings, allowing MIP to be a part of my daily life, working the steps, using the slogans, etc., that I have changed from misery and hopelessness to peace and serenity much of the time. I could not have done this without our program, and with practicing all the tools available. I know I will always keep coming back. :)
Thanks Lyne and DM2021. Transforming my negative attitudes is one of the most enjoyable lessons/ tools I can apply (when I remember to!) In a simple way I applied this just before- my offspring got home from work and I was itching to tell her how annoyed I was that she had left dishes piled up before work and hadn't fed her pets etc but when I realised she was excited to tell me about her shift I decided to be grateful for her friendly communication and shelve the irritation for now. At the same time I felt annoyed with myself for always being ready to complain but I can remind myself that I am just one person and I do a lot for the young people that live with me so some irritation is pretty normal. This definitely works best when we apply compassion, forgiveness and a positive perspective to ourselves at the same time as applying it to others!
