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.
Today's page focuses our responsibility to help others by narrowing it to spiritual advice and guidance, not suggesting specific action. In plain terms: it is not our right.
Regardless of our intention, inserting our thoughts on what another should do may unleash unintended repercussions or persecution that person is not prepared for.
Reminder Even good friends may unintentionally encourage me to hold onto resentment, complaints, or bad will.
"We must not be easy in giving credit to every word and suggestion, but carefully and leisurely weigh the matter according to God." - Thomas a'Kempis ---------------- I cringe at how hard I leaned on people to convince them they should follow my guidance in the past; I insisted they did, or told them they didn't really want to make their life better...I did that...a lot.
The entire concept of letting others find their way, on their own, was new to me. As I reflect on how much better my relationships are when I let others find their way as I wish to find mine, I am very grateful for the wisdom of the program. It works when I work it
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Paul
"...when we try to control others, we lose the ability to manage our own lives." - Paths to Recovery
Thank you Paul for your service and share. I've also had to learn to stop trying to force solutions with my will, my suggestions, and/or my so-called "good advice.". This program has taught me that's it OK to share what I'm doing to resolve something, but otherwise I try to live and let live, and let go and let God. With luck, I can figure out what I can be doing in this lifetime, and let others' figure out their paths. :)
