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.
Todays reading is about how we can give any and all anxieties and troubles to our Higher Power. The writer describes growing up in an alcoholic home; her parents were unaware of so much that was happening to the extent that a babysitter abused her and life went on as if nothing had ever happened. The writer sought out other people, including an alcoholic husband, to fill an emptiness in her life but it would not go away. As a young adult she joined alanon and confided in her sponsor. In the beginning she felt worse for having divulged this secret. Over time though, she began to heal and began to rely more on her Higher Power than other humans for relief from pain. Before that could happen though, she had to share with another person. There is a sentence in this reading that jumped out at me here: By not talking with someone, I was prolonging the pain. There are many reasons people keep traumatic events and anxious feelings to themselves, but finding out that we dont have to shoulder burdens alone is such a great relief.
There is a quotation about the freedom in breaking isolation that I will add next; I think realizing that the anxiety that comes along with grappling with things by ourselves is immediately alleviated when we find ourselves in a group of people nodding with I understand. In fact, those two words along with you are not alone can be quite empowering when we are feeling isolated.
The quotation from In All Our Affairs (p.32): The only way to release ourselves from the hold of these dark demons is to break the isolation and bring them into the light by sharing with others who understand.
I have found that "we are only as sick as our secrets" to be so true. Whether I share something with my HP,a professional or just a trusted friend getting out what I am holding inside is very freeing and feels like a ton of bricks have been lifted off my shoulders. It doesn't fix or change whatever it is but it definitely feels freeing to unburden.
I am grateful for this program to be able to share with those that listen and understand
Thank you Mary for your service and ESH and I totally agree with SunnyFrog . What also jumped out at me was carrying on as if nothing ever happened. I used fear being vulnerable and/or not being believed. Sharing with the appropriate person(s) allows for opportunities to release the pain, change perspective, and seek solutions. The added bonus is building honest, intimate relationships. Grateful.
