I must say that since I turned my will and life over to the care of God, my life has changed a great deal.

Through the fellowship of Al-anon and working the steps I have learned to ask myself question like…

1. what is going on with me?
2. what hurts?
3. what feels good?
4. what do I want?
5. what do I need?
6. what don’t I like?
7. what I’m I running from?
8. what I’m I drawn to?
9. what do I believe and why?
10. what do I need to do to take care of myself?
11. what I’m I hiding?
12. why I’m I hiding?
13. why I’m I so concerned about what others think of me?
14. why do I let other people steal my peace?
15. why does my worth depend on my performance?
16. why do I let other people shut me down?
17. why do I doubt the love and care of my HP?
18. what would my HP say to me?

Through the fellowship of Al-anon and working the steps I have learned that…

1. I am part of the problem.
2. I am part of the solution.
3. I’m okay.
4. I am lovable.
5. I am acceptable.
6. I need my HP to change my defects of character.
7. I need my HP to guide me.
8. I can trust my HP even when it doesn’t feel like it.
9. I need the fellowship for encouragement, strength, and hope.
10. I need people.
11. I don’t have to fix anyone.
12. I don’t have to hold the world together.
13. I can’t hold the world together.
14. I don’t have to be superwoman.
15. I don’t have to take on other people’s responsibilities.
16. I don’t have to live in fear.
17. I can make mistakes.
18. I need to mind my own business.
19. I need to let people make their own decisions and mistakes.
20. I don’t know everything.
21. I can’t know everything.
22. I can live one day at a time.

Through the fellowship of Al-anon and working the steps I now know that…

1. this too shall pass.
2. easy does it.
3. everything is okay.
4. most people are doing the best they can.
5. it is not all about me.
6. I can have peace throughout the storm.
7. I have the power to choose.
8. I can choose what I think.
9. I can choose what to do.
10. I can choose what to say.
11. other people don’t always have to know what I’m thinking or feeling.
12. I don’t have to make other people understand.
13. other people can’t take away my serenity without my permission.
14. I can be real.
15. I can be me.
16. I can be a kind, thoughtful friend.
17. I can let go and let God.

Through the fellowship of Al-anon and working the steps I have learned to…

1. reach out to others when I feel like I am drowning.
2. ask for help.
3. keep it simple.
4. forgive other people.
5. forgive myself.
6. relax.
7. trust.
8. accept.
9. be still.
10. know God.

I would say that deserves a big…

Thank You God!

AND

Thank you to the people in the online meetings, chat, and board that have helped me when I reached out for a lifeline.

BLESSINGS!!!!!

-- Edited by BeBlessed at 15:37, 2006-09-03