Today's reading discusses diversity and autonomy in our fellowship. As we have heard, Tradition 4 suggests that each group is autonomous, free to conduct meetings in a way that suits its members as long as it abides by the Traditions and doesn't harm the overall unity of Al-Anon. Some groups stick to the suggested format; others use a slightly different structure.
We are reminded that keeping an open mind will help us gain and grow from all/any meeting we attend even when it's different than we are used to. There is no difference in the principles of the program, even when the format changes. We each play a part and a role in our wonderful worldwide fellowship. We support each other as we recover from the effects of alcoholism. Our foundation of love and support in spite of our differences make us richer as a whole.
Today's reminder -- In the perfect order of my Higher Power's world, all things are beautiful. I will pray to let go of my own rigidity, that I might see the beauty of unity in diversity.
Today's quote comes from Ralph Waldo Emerson ~~~ "A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds."
I have always been amazed at how people can come together from all different walks of life and support each other in recovery. No matter your title, background, race, religion, gender, etc. you are welcomed, loved and supported. Recovery works because we learn how to embrace what is and let go of what is not.
We are a stockpot full of flavorful pieces that when blended together and simmered, do become excellent in so many ways! There are people in recovery that I would not embrace outside of 'it' yet learn from because I've been taught to always keep an open mind and listen for the similarities.
Recovery rooms put me at ease as there is no comparing and competing. Instead, we embrace each other as peers with one common goal. I'm grateful for the program, the rooms, the steps, traditions and all I've learned. Glad you are all part of my journey!
MeTwo2 said
Apr 21, 2017
We are reminded that keeping an open mind will help us gain and grow from all/any meeting we attend even when it's different than we are used to. There is no difference in the principles of the program, even when the format changes. (or even stays the same)
have been reflecting on this a lot for a long time .. sort of a love / hard thing .. If we keep an open mind to possibilities of change and transformation .. (set aside our egos and self rights) .. always heard in alanon our greatest gifts (assets) are hiding behind are greatest weaknesses (defects) .. the tradition above is hard sometimes because it causes me to get honest with me .. coming into alanon .. wanting to change the alcoholic .. then wanting to change and transform the meetings etc .. because the newcomer ? would be more comfortable ? ugh grr .. wanting to change sometimes .. maybe most of the times .. the closing prayer our father as my alcoholic would flash before my eyes or in my mind .. then suddenly (but not) realizing wanting to change the alcoholic and the format was really an excuse for me to justify my unwillingness to get honest with me or accept what is on a deeper layer .. if only the alc would change .. if only the format were different than I could be abc .. today I recognize the program or alc etc .. didn't need to change I did .. if I am honest if I have a resentment toward any of those things searching myself on the 4th step could offer me gifts if I let it .. I believe it's the freedom to choose that brings the healing in alanon hence I would always be willing to allow chair to decide how to open or close so that neither end is placed above or below (wrong or right) the other .. if I can't do that ugh the problem rests with my unwillingness to accept what is .. refusal to keep n open mind and heart to possibilities of change beginning with my own 'distorted thinking etc ... grr .. only saying the autonomy in meetings is there except in matter affecting alanon or aa as a whole .. for me i had to become aware of the humility that if any one person is discluded from the freedom to choose how to open or close even then the unity is effected .. how could it not be thrown off balance .. hardest thing i have had to do is put the things i resent on my 4th .. the alc .. our father .. people who punished me and distorted my beliefs .. etc .. religious abusers ugh grr oye .. but like the alcoholic we become grateful for over time .. who knows .. maybe i'll continue to grow the gratitude more for every abuser .. or situations that makes 'me (if i am honest with myself) uncomfortable .. which remain my excuse .. this is not easy to admit out-loud especially online for me . i was very very angry at some of those persons in my own past .. i am glad i at least chose to work on growing forgiveness in some areas instead of continuing to practice angry detachment ..
great thread .. thanks for sharing .. definitely a work in progress (process) here ..
MeTwo2 said
Apr 21, 2017
just recognizing even if i don't grow the gratitude i will then at least be growing the love for the fellowship .. every person in it ..
Aline said
Apr 21, 2017
Thank you for the share... I'm so grateful for the program and what it's done and continues to do to restore my sanity, piece by piece. Yes, we are all different, but all the same I often feel grateful for each person I meet at f2f meetings and here on the board, simply for existing and so making me NOT ALONE. Hugs to you all :)
Stan1 said
Apr 21, 2017
Thank you IAH and those before me for ESH on Tradition 4. Alcoholism isn't selective of who you are or where you came from. We do see as IAH mentioned a smorgasbord of people in our meeting rooms and to me that is how HP teaches us humility and paves the way for growth. Just as we learned from our peers on the school playground we Listen and Learn in the rooms of Al Anon. As children we heard from hearsay which wasn't always true or accurate and minus guidelines. Tradition 4 gives us a structured formula to follow that gives us all equal opportunity to share ESH.
hotrod said
Apr 21, 2017
Hello Iam I love the concept of unity in diversity and am so pleased when I attend an alaon meeting and witness it in practice. It is beautiful to behold and i believe that is why program truly works. The traditions are a grand design that keep the meetings safe and members focused on Spiritual growth.
-- Edited by Iamhere on Sunday 31st of January 2021 11:50:46 AM
Iamhere said
Apr 22, 2017
Huge (((Hugs))) to all - just to think that we are 'family' because of this tradition and this program brings me great joy! Thanks to all for your shares!
Today's reading discusses diversity and autonomy in our fellowship. As we have heard, Tradition 4 suggests that each group is autonomous, free to conduct meetings in a way that suits its members as long as it abides by the Traditions and doesn't harm the overall unity of Al-Anon. Some groups stick to the suggested format; others use a slightly different structure.
We are reminded that keeping an open mind will help us gain and grow from all/any meeting we attend even when it's different than we are used to. There is no difference in the principles of the program, even when the format changes. We each play a part and a role in our wonderful worldwide fellowship. We support each other as we recover from the effects of alcoholism. Our foundation of love and support in spite of our differences make us richer as a whole.
Today's reminder -- In the perfect order of my Higher Power's world, all things are beautiful. I will pray to let go of my own rigidity, that I might see the beauty of unity in diversity.
Today's quote comes from Ralph Waldo Emerson ~~~ "A foolish consistency is the hobgoblin of little minds."
__________________________________________________________________
I have always been amazed at how people can come together from all different walks of life and support each other in recovery. No matter your title, background, race, religion, gender, etc. you are welcomed, loved and supported. Recovery works because we learn how to embrace what is and let go of what is not.
We are a stockpot full of flavorful pieces that when blended together and simmered, do become excellent in so many ways! There are people in recovery that I would not embrace outside of 'it' yet learn from because I've been taught to always keep an open mind and listen for the similarities.
Recovery rooms put me at ease as there is no comparing and competing. Instead, we embrace each other as peers with one common goal. I'm grateful for the program, the rooms, the steps, traditions and all I've learned. Glad you are all part of my journey!
We are reminded that keeping an open mind will help us gain and grow from all/any meeting we attend even when it's different than we are used to. There is no difference in the principles of the program, even when the format changes. (or even stays the same)
have been reflecting on this a lot for a long time .. sort of a love / hard thing .. If we keep an open mind to possibilities of change and transformation .. (set aside our egos and self rights) .. always heard in alanon our greatest gifts (assets) are hiding behind are greatest weaknesses (defects) .. the tradition above is hard sometimes because it causes me to get honest with me .. coming into alanon .. wanting to change the alcoholic .. then wanting to change and transform the meetings etc .. because the newcomer ? would be more comfortable ? ugh grr .. wanting to change sometimes .. maybe most of the times .. the closing prayer our father as my alcoholic would flash before my eyes or in my mind .. then suddenly (but not) realizing wanting to change the alcoholic and the format was really an excuse for me to justify my unwillingness to get honest with me or accept what is on a deeper layer .. if only the alc would change .. if only the format were different than I could be abc .. today I recognize the program or alc etc .. didn't need to change I did .. if I am honest if I have a resentment toward any of those things searching myself on the 4th step could offer me gifts if I let it .. I believe it's the freedom to choose that brings the healing in alanon hence I would always be willing to allow chair to decide how to open or close so that neither end is placed above or below (wrong or right) the other .. if I can't do that ugh the problem rests with my unwillingness to accept what is .. refusal to keep n open mind and heart to possibilities of change beginning with my own 'distorted thinking etc ... grr .. only saying the autonomy in meetings is there except in matter affecting alanon or aa as a whole .. for me i had to become aware of the humility that if any one person is discluded from the freedom to choose how to open or close even then the unity is effected .. how could it not be thrown off balance .. hardest thing i have had to do is put the things i resent on my 4th .. the alc .. our father .. people who punished me and distorted my beliefs .. etc .. religious abusers ugh grr oye .. but like the alcoholic we become grateful for over time .. who knows .. maybe i'll continue to grow the gratitude more for every abuser .. or situations that makes 'me (if i am honest with myself) uncomfortable .. which remain my excuse .. this is not easy to admit out-loud especially online for me . i was very very angry at some of those persons in my own past .. i am glad i at least chose to work on growing forgiveness in some areas instead of continuing to practice angry detachment ..
great thread .. thanks for sharing .. definitely a work in progress (process) here ..
Hello Iam I love the concept of unity in diversity and am so pleased when I attend an alaon meeting and witness it in practice. It is beautiful to behold and i believe that is why program truly works. The traditions are a grand design that keep the meetings safe and members focused on Spiritual growth.
-- Edited by Iamhere on Sunday 31st of January 2021 11:50:46 AM