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.
In today's reading, the author shares about their desperation when they found Al-Anon and their yearning for the serenity that other Al-Anon members possessed. They heard that going to meetings and sharing when they could, working the steps (but not all at once), getting a sponsor, reading some Al-Anon literature everyday, and reaching out to other Al-Anon members between meetings was a way to reach serenity. As the author slowly adopted these suggestions, they started to see real change in their life. With time, the author gained the serenity they desired.
Todays Reminder: Al-Anon gives me tools I can use to achieve many goals, including serenity, sanity, and detachment with love. And Al-Anon members who share their experience, strength, and hope show me how to put these tools to work in my life.
Today's Quote: Daily vigilance will turn out to be a small price to pay for my peace of mind. The Dilemma of the Alcoholic Marriage
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When I first came to Al-Anon, I was sure that serenity wasn't possible. It seemed I had to either give up on myself or give up in the alcoholic that I loved. With time in the program, I began to set healthy boundaries and see that I didn't have to give up on myself, and I didn't have to give up on my alcoholic loved one. I cannot say that I "found" serenity (in the past tense) because as I continue to work the program, I seem to find more serenity each year. Just when I think I've "arrived" at serenity, I find with more program work that another aspect of serenity is revealed to me, and I have more serenity the longer I work the program.
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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
Thank you Skorpi for your service and all shares. The slogan "Easy Does It" came to mind as I read today's C2C. When I first came to Al-Anon, I was desperate and in a hurry to solve problems. My natural tendency to overdo everything created more chaos . I have restarted the program by focusing on one change at a time. I am no longer trying to rush through the step process. I give myself time to absorb and apply new knowledge towards a new way of living. This has increased the level of serenity I experience daily. Grateful for the ESH, tools, and literature Al-Anon has to offer.
Attaining serenity takes so much work and effort. I am grateful when I have even one day of feeling peaceful. Hopefully with more work and effort it will lead to more days. For now though I just need to focus on one day at a time.
