Good morning everyone-

Todays reading is about how steps one, two and three are the beginning of meaningful change. The writer describes how the effects of being raised in an alcoholic family were completely embedded in him/her. The two traits that were especially difficult were turning to those who were emotionally unavailable for support and engaging in self-doubt/hate.  After work with a sponsor, the writer began to see that the traits (not other people) were the source of anguish.  The main change came about for the writer in step one.  Really admitting powerlessness in step one and then accepting only a HP could help (step two) was the beginning of real change. In step three- turning over thoughts, dreams, needs to the care of a HP, the writer found a new path.

Being able to really accept powerlessness, and simply ask for guidance, has consistently been very difficult and freeing at the same time.  Trusting that a HP is caring for us allows us to see that all we do: the good, the mistakes, the things we are proud of, the regrets- all are under our Hps care. For me this is reassuring because trying to manage all those thoughts can just be too much.  Its a relief to know I dont have to try and shoulder all of that.  When I first came to Al-anon I was trying to apply all of this to the qualifiers in my life.  The gentleness of the program helped me see that its about looking inward, not out.

The quotation from Having Had a Spiritual Awakening(p.159): The more I feel my smallness and powerlessness, the more I grow in spirituality.

It has been a pleasure to do these writings over the past several years, and I will look forward to others reflections going forward.

I hope everyone has a peaceful Sunday:)

Mary