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.
I know that many of us have difficulties and hardships that we are going through, some as a result of living with and/or dealing with the As in our lives, some just because it is actually just life.
I have found, however, as a result of working the 12 steps and pracitcing these principals in all my affairs (when I remember and/or choose to) that even in the midst of some of the harder things life brings my way, I have joy.
Yes, I am sad sometimes that my son is living such a sad and scary life. Yes, I am sad that my mom is now considered terminal in her cancer. I am lonely sometimes, afraid sometimes, angry sometimes. But I am finding more and more, as I grow in recovery, that even in the midst of the pain, I am able to find joy and hope.
There is a richness to my life, almost an added dimension, that was not present before I found the rooms of both AA and Alanon. I can smile and laugh today, I can even cry - tears of sadness and tears of joy.
I guess I'm asking to hear about the joy and hope you've found in these rooms.
I was just saying at my f2f meeting last night that I am able to find some joy in my life now even with my son's life so out of control. It is a miracle because I never thought I could be in this place while he is still active. I had decided that my life as I had pictured it is not going to be that way. It was going to be filled with gloom and doom with what I had been given to deal with. Here I am, 7 months later, not in that place at all. I am able to live a normal and sometimes happy and fun life. I cherish the times when I am with him and he is not active and I have compassion for him when he is. I don't say that I do not get frustrated but by the grace of God and Alanon, I am more able to work through it without going to bed and isolating. I always tell myself..."it is what it is" and I need to not give up joy in my life in exchange for worry and anxiety over something I have no control over.
Great question. I have a lot of joy and hope in my life, despite the fact that my hubby is a chronic relapser. But I was taught always to look for the good in people and to find joy in life. For you never know what is around the corner. I got up this morning, and looked outside my window and my crabapple tree is stunningly beautiful today with it's deep magenta blossoms, and fragrant scent.
I find a great deal of strength and hope on this board. I remember when I first came here, I was scared and felt very alone. But my family took me in with open arms. I was stunned! Total strangers wanting to help me? Didn't seem possible. They educated me. Gave me strength. Calmed me down.
There are times when I go into the chat room, and we are talking about food, or being silly, and of course serious stuff too. I see the friends I love and it always makes my day to say hello. I am astonished by their strength, and wisdom, their gentleness, and sometimes their willingness to give me a good old kick in the when I need it.
This is truly an amazing place. They don't call it Miracles in Progress for nothing.
Love and blessings to all.
Live strong, Karilynn
__________________
It's your life. Take no prisoners. You will have it your way.
What a great way to start the day. Ok...I'm gonna list some of the joys I have "rediscovered" through the program and just kind of skip of the "in spite of" part (after all, I do have to be at work in an hour hehe)
1. My beautiful, talented, warm-hearted joy of a daughter
2. The peace that HPs in charge NO MATTER WHAT!
3. My home
4. MY FRIENDS......tons of em :)
5. This message board and chat room (got my smile back here)
6. My face2face home and a couple of great back up groups.
Thanks for making me start off with an attitude of gratitude.
Isn't it wonderful to have been given this gift of al-anon?
Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional!
I came into al-anon on my knees, which is just exactly where I needed to be. I was greeted by a fellowship of loving caring people that reached their hands out to me. More than that, they reached their arms out to me and wrapped in a warm embrace of love and understanding.
I was given literature to read at that first meeting. I was given hugs. I was given love.
And after two years, it is just as exciting, enlightening and uplifting as it was that first day, if not more so! Because I have grown so much in such a short time. I am working the steps and doing the best I can to practice the principals in all my affairs as well.
Probably one of the most amazing things that I have been given since coming to MIP is the gift of humor. You know I'd like to say that living with my alcoholic wife took away the humor from my life, but looking back before her, while I laughed more, I still didnt laugh often. Now I do. I learned here, that it is okay to laugh. That it is okay to let someone else know you are laughing inside by just going ahead and laughing on the outside too! I love that this 43 year old man can cry and can laugh and not be self conscious about it. Being able to just be silly sometimes is so wonderful.
Didn't seem possible. They educated me. Gave me strength. Calmed me down. 
when I need it. 
