"Let go, let God" is often said in Al-Anon. I'm not religious, and don't believe in anything even remotely like God, but I realized something about that saying that lets me get past the G word. The idea behind "Let go, let God" is that the more I try to control situations myself, and the more I try to take responsibility for others, the more things slip from my grasp, and the more mistakes I make. If I let them go and allow others deal with their own problems, things get easier. It occurred to me the other day that when I am focused on other people's problems, I am focusing on the bad stuff. I see *only* the bad stuff, and miss things that are good, things that are fine. In fact, something good can stare me in the face, and I won't see it. When I step back, let go of other people's problems, the good things suddenly spring out at me. When I'm not focusing on problems, suddenly I can see things that aren't problems. I see the world as it really is, not distorted by my assumptions that everywhere there is a problem waiting for me to fix it. Now when I hear "Let go, let God" I think "Let go, get real." If you have one, then may your God go with you. If you don't have one, then remember that there is no point in worrying about the Universe, because it's not going to worry about you. Look after yourself, and let the laws of physics look after the Universe.

Hello Joat- when I first came into Al-Anon  the word God was not something that impressed me much , I didn't come here looking for a God and I  didn't want to talk about God or listen to anyone else talk about God either. I would get so upset I left meetings if I thought there was too much God stuff.

My Higher Power was the group I attended, together they were alot smarter than me.  So I would simply"  Let Go. "  didn't care where it went just knew I couldn't fix it.

Over the yrs I have come to a God of my understanding that I can live with-I still don't get into conversations about it , the beauty of this prog for me was I could stay wether I believed in anything or not. Have always been grateful for the freedom our prog allows in this area .

Let God works      thanks for your post  Louise

Hello Joat,

I am for whatever works for anyone. I just hope when I say God Bless to people or that I am praying for them that they don't take offense. I hope they know that however I send positive energy that I am doing it in a caring and concerned way. When I say God Bless, I hope they know to transfer that into what they believe and just know that my words are from my heart. Everyone is entitled to believe what they want and that is what is so great. Thanks for your post. your friend in recovery, cdb :)

Wow, what good responses.  I am Catholic, but God isn't my higher power.  Catholic is my birth religion, my faith however waivers.  I too had trouble with this.  My group is my higher power.

Although, I never take offense to any reference of religion when anyone else say it.  Thanks Joat for sharing, because of your share, tiredtonite shared, because of that share, I was tremendously helped by the analogy given, "Good orderly Direction!!!"   I really can relate to this!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Have a good day today. 

Joat,

I'm not comfortable with the word "God" either.  The way I think of it is this:  It goes along with the "good orderly direction."  I try to think that I have a place in this universe or thinking that it's a destiny-type thing.  The universe has an order & that's where I belong, on MY path in the universe.

I think there is a way things SHOULD be.  I pray that I stay on MY path & my A or others stay on THEIR path.

just my 2 cents 

catherine

Hi Joat,

I know for me, my HP is my God. For anyone else, they have to find what a HP is to them.

To a person who does not believe in God, I assume that they have their own thoughts on how we arrived here, either by science or nature or however. Your HP should be whatever makes you comfortable and gives you strength.

Alanon can work no matter what your beliefs are.

Whatever works for you and can bring you serenity is a good thing.

                     Love Jeannie

Hi Joat, many people in alanon have issues with the "God" thing.  That's what is nice about this program is that you can take what you like and leave the rest.  You can also see God or the universe in whatever manner appeals to you.  I prefer to refer to "God" as a Higher Power because I don't really have a definition of God.  I am not religious and I don't care to define my Higher Power.  I just know that I am not in charge, and that I need directions in order to get through this life.  Thanks for being here Joat. SenoraBob

Joat,

Great post.

Lanchas