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 C2C reading asks Al-anon members to take an honest assessment of their recovery. The person in the reading refers back to their 4th step inventory. Although they feel they still have things they would like to work on, they realize their progress as well. They come to understand that to hold their progress up to an "idealized standard," is expecting perfection of themself. Instead, they look to their past and are able to recognize their healthy changes that are part of their present recovery. One example is their ability to let go of resentments more easily than they had in the past. Their progress is in the realization that progress is recognition of the positive direction in which their recovery is moving rather than working recovery "perfectly." "Today, I am no longer seeking perfection; the only thing that matters is the direction in which I am moving," the reading states.
"Keep adding little by little and you will soon have a big hoard." Latin Proverb
The reading is a nice reminder that Al-anon is a gentle program to be worked One Day at a Time. It can be difficult especially when new to Al-anon to see progress. When I was moving from crisis to crisis, feeling little to no serenity I could never have envisioned a happy, joyous and free life could be mine if I continued my Al-anon meeting attendance and worked the program with an Al-anon sponsor. I was frustrated as a newcomer that I was not experiencing the same serenity as others in the program. It was only through step work that I was able to gain self knowledge and do the footwork One Day at a Time to learn healthier ways to take responsibility for myself. A loving sponsor and others both in the program and outside of it showed me by example how I could utilize Al-anon tools to meet my physical, emotional and spiritual needs in healthier ways. I recall someone at one of my f2f meetings jokingly shouting during their sharing "SERENITY NOW!!!!" Well, I sure related to that! Having always been short on patience, I wanted to "cured" of everything that was impeding my progress immediately. :) Progress is in being able to find humor in this today. My progress has come with my willingness to surrender myself as a work in progress to my loving hp. It's become easier to seek guidance, judge less, let go and practice gratitude. Where would I be if I hadn't found Al-anon. I'm very grateful.
-- Edited by tiredtonite on Saturday 16th of March 2024 08:41:07 AM
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Surround yourself with people and elements that support your destiny, not just your history.
Thank you so much TT for your reading and share. Progress not perfection is possibly my favorite slogan. For most of my life I felt profoundly inadequate, and often verbally criticized and shamed myself. As I've grown in program I've learned to look back to see where I've been, and see where I am today. And there is progress--a ton of it!! And it doesn't matter that I'll never do things perfectly. If I keep trying to see my shortcomings and change them as I can, that's the best I can do. And it's good enough. Grateful member always. :)
