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.
First I want to express gratitude for this space. When I came to this site a little over 10 years ago, I was lost. I mean LOST. What I found here was patience, grace, understanding, compassion and help. Its been a privilege to be part of the service through writings over these several years. That said, I have had the opportunity to write once a week for many years now and think its time to create space for someone else:). I am going to do todays reading and next Sundays and then this spot will be available for someone else. Thank you all for the fellowship here.
Todays reading is a focus on step 12: Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these Steps, we tried to carry the message to others, and to practice these principles in all our affairs. The writer describes how he/she tried quite insistently to let self/will try and be in charge and what kept happening was chaos. Specifically the writer believed that achieving a certain amount of money would eliminate the need for a HP. Finally the writer realized that he/she was looking to God to help eliminate the need for God! The writer then revisited the first 3 steps and accepted that his/her HP was on charge of all of it.
My personal belief is that all we need to do is look around and there is evidence that human beings cant be left to their own devices and will to be in charge of things! But thats me looking outside of my own personal arena again. I know in my own life when I have turned things over, not clung defiantly to the idea that I have the ability to steer things a certain way, life in general is clearer and more peaceful.
Both quotations at the bottom of todays page are helpful:
Thought for the Day: When I rely on self-will, I severely limited all of my resources. When I turn to my Higher Power, those limitations fall away.
and from Forum Favorites, Volume 3, p.40: We become capable of directing our destiny by surrendering to a will other than our own.
Thank you Mary for your service and for sharing. I have always looked forward to your Sunday postings and will miss them. Perhaps, I'll get to read your es&h, your wisdom in response to others. I hope you will keep coming back.
Today's reading is a wonderful reminder that progressing from unhealthy dependence to self-sufficiency does not mean I now have super capabilities and not in need of guidance from a power greater than myself. An early lesson I learned in Al-Anon was that it's OK to be in need of help. It's OK to ask for help, not have all the answers, not control everything in one's life nor the lives of others for that matter. Many of us chose to ask for help by simply showing up at our first Al-Anon meeting. I know that I can't do life alone nor would I want to. Thank goodness for the fellowship and a loving higher power. To carry the message as the 12th step suggests is a gift. To remain teachable an even greater one.
-- Edited by tiredtonite on Sunday 13th of August 2023 04:07:10 PM
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Surround yourself with people and elements that support your destiny, not just your history.
