Today's reading in the ODAT is an inspiring reminder of how little time practicing program takes in comparison to the number of hours we have in a week.The reading goes on to explain that we spend many disturbing hours filled with painful experiences and unfulfilled needs and that there are ways to overcome much of this distress and Al-Anon offers us the way.
The reading suggests that when we are feeling hurt, angry or filled with self pity we can attend a meeting, which will lift our fears and spirits, we can take the time to read from the daily readers and meditate on what we've read and then we can make Al-Anon phone call to another member to break the isolation The reading goes on to point out that it takes so little time out of the week to learn how Al-Anon applies to us and our chaotic life so that the changes that we can bring about will seem like miracles. Living the Al-Anon way is an every day program and the more thought we put into it,the greater the rewards. We must remember that every minute that we use in thinking and using the program makes all the hours of the week more livable.
I know when I first entered program I took this reading very seriously and attended one meeting a day.for the first two years. I heard it said the 90 meetings in 90 days but I surpassed that requirement and it paid off. Using the steps, the slogans, my sponsor and meetings, I found my life becoming more livable and the peace and serenity of the program more real
Keep coming back because it works if we work-- is so very true
Iamhere said
Dec 19, 2017
Thank you Betty for your service, ESH and the daily. When I work it, it works for me. I am so grateful that I landed here as it has really given me back my life. I can't even suggest that one part is better than another as each tool taught to me has been used and worked.
Happy Tuesday to one and all - I'm still sick and really tired of 'this' already! Make it a great day all!
Skorpi said
Dec 19, 2017
Good morning MIP! Thanks for this important topic and share, Betty.
I am pretty amused by today's topic. This is a crazy time of year for me at work, and while I usually start my time at work (where I am for over 9 hours a day due to the commute schedule) with AlAnon readings, journaling, and MIP, I have not been very consistent about doing so of late. This morning, I took care of a few "pressing" work things, and found myself feeling pretty frantic. At that point, I decided that I would stop and hop over ti MIP, where I found today's topic abotu the importance of taking time for AlAnon in our full schedules and running around. Just the affirmation I needed to hear today, and I am sure that my day will be much more manageable having stopped by and paused to think about how I want to approach my day and how I want to be today.
Lyne said
Dec 19, 2017
Thank you Betty for your ESH. It not only takes very little time to practice program, but the reading made me think of the hours and hours I spent upset in the past, obsessing about my A and feeling absolutely depressed, hopeless, and resentful. My new alanon life is so much better, productive, and healthier. I'm a grateful member of alanon, Lyne
Jill said
Dec 19, 2017
All of this is marvelous. i'm grateful to all.
I used to spend so much time fussing. I have my life back.
Aline said
Dec 19, 2017
Thank you for your service, Betty, and all the ESH above. Wonderful reminder today. To think of the hours, days and years I used to spend miserable and crazy, now more of that coming to be replaced with recovery and hope. Thank you all for being here :)
mamalioness said
Dec 19, 2017
(((((((((((((((Betty))))))))))))))))))) Thank you for your continued service...
And Oh yea, I needed this today....another plumbing disaster is gonna take my Christmas bonuses away as of today when plumber arrives....At first I had to feel the feelings of anger then decided that it serves me not to go beyond the "healthy" expression of anger, disappointment and just say "oh well" and it sucks but I can't do anything about it.....I am doing meditations to get quiet within, using program and what its taught me, clearing my mind with breathing and slogans, and yea, I can get to a level where I just get trhough today, and Ok...I will cut back on a few things and pay my emergency fund back.....My BFF doesn't get it...she doesn't understand why i don't just go out and blow money and have fun.....I told her that I have NOONE but me to help me...she lives with this gay guy who is backing her....I have NOBODY but me and I know what I have to have saved in order to feel some semblance of safety in the event that I get ill, or lose a client.....and i told her "accept me as is as I do you" She hasn't walked in my shoes, so she cannot understand my need to feel some semblance of security....I am doing what is right by ME...not to impress her or anyone else......I told her that I was gonna share less of my feelings, angst, anger with her and more into my recovery rooms because I don't need anyone telling me that "we go through this with you each time something happens" (feeling the anger and fear when I gotta fix this "elephant of a house again) yea, I am gonna be with my feelings...WORK my program....TAKE CARE of me and doing the "next right thing for me" is to "pay me back" so I have that emergency fund to cover me in case of emergency.......
B4 program , i wold have let her make me feel inferior or bad about me.....TODAY, I told her that I am proud of me that I came THIS far with MY disabilities and that NOBODY is gonna make me feel bad about having to feel the feelings and doing what I need to do to make me feel at least halfway safe......I think she was shocked..I stood up for me and said it KIND.........Program is my ALWAYS "go to" place when I am happy or being hit by yet another of life's boulders.......$250 to do this job.....Xmas money Gone!!! the good news?? I had it tucked away and HAD it to pay for this latest "blessing"......I am gonna do what is right and what works for me.....program taught me how to be my own person and to seek my own truth...whatever works for me?? its my right to embrace it
Sorry this is sorta off topic, but reading this kinda made me feel like bringing up today's "not so pleasant" convo with BFF
hotrod said
Dec 19, 2017
Good job validating yourself Rose I am very impressed that you said what you needed to without being "mean" Program works when we work it.
I also appreciate the fact that you worked a 10th Step an the incident looked at what you can do going forward to avoid this in the future and learned a valuable lesson
Thanks for sharing the journey.
The reading suggests that when we are feeling hurt, angry or filled with self pity we can attend a meeting, which will lift our fears and spirits, we can take the time to read from the daily readers and meditate on what we've read and then we can make Al-Anon phone call to another member to break the isolation
The reading goes on to point out that it takes so little time out of the week to learn how Al-Anon applies to us and our chaotic life so that the changes that we can bring about will seem like miracles. Living the Al-Anon way is an every day program and the more thought we put into it,the greater the rewards.
We must remember that every minute that we use in thinking and using the program makes all the hours of the week more livable.
Happy Tuesday to one and all - I'm still sick and really tired of 'this' already! Make it a great day all!
I am pretty amused by today's topic. This is a crazy time of year for me at work, and while I usually start my time at work (where I am for over 9 hours a day due to the commute schedule) with AlAnon readings, journaling, and MIP, I have not been very consistent about doing so of late. This morning, I took care of a few "pressing" work things, and found myself feeling pretty frantic. At that point, I decided that I would stop and hop over ti MIP, where I found today's topic abotu the importance of taking time for AlAnon in our full schedules and running around. Just the affirmation I needed to hear today, and I am sure that my day will be much more manageable having stopped by and paused to think about how I want to approach my day and how I want to be today.
I used to spend so much time fussing. I have my life back.
(((((((((((((((Betty))))))))))))))))))) Thank you for your continued service...
And Oh yea, I needed this today....another plumbing disaster is gonna take my Christmas bonuses away as of today when plumber arrives....At first I had to feel the feelings of anger then decided that it serves me not to go beyond the "healthy" expression of anger, disappointment and just say "oh well" and it sucks but I can't do anything about it.....I am doing meditations to get quiet within, using program and what its taught me, clearing my mind with breathing and slogans, and yea, I can get to a level where I just get trhough today, and Ok...I will cut back on a few things and pay my emergency fund back.....My BFF doesn't get it...she doesn't understand why i don't just go out and blow money and have fun.....I told her that I have NOONE but me to help me...she lives with this gay guy who is backing her....I have NOBODY but me and I know what I have to have saved in order to feel some semblance of safety in the event that I get ill, or lose a client.....and i told her "accept me as is as I do you" She hasn't walked in my shoes, so she cannot understand my need to feel some semblance of security....I am doing what is right by ME...not to impress her or anyone else......I told her that I was gonna share less of my feelings, angst, anger with her and more into my recovery rooms because I don't need anyone telling me that "we go through this with you each time something happens" (feeling the anger and fear when I gotta fix this "elephant of a house again) yea, I am gonna be with my feelings...WORK my program....TAKE CARE of me and doing the "next right thing for me" is to "pay me back" so I have that emergency fund to cover me in case of emergency.......
B4 program , i wold have let her make me feel inferior or bad about me.....TODAY, I told her that I am proud of me that I came THIS far with MY disabilities and that NOBODY is gonna make me feel bad about having to feel the feelings and doing what I need to do to make me feel at least halfway safe......I think she was shocked..I stood up for me and said it KIND.........Program is my ALWAYS "go to" place when I am happy or being hit by yet another of life's boulders.......$250 to do this job.....Xmas money Gone!!! the good news?? I had it tucked away and HAD it to pay for this latest "blessing"......I am gonna do what is right and what works for me.....program taught me how to be my own person and to seek my own truth...whatever works for me?? its my right to embrace it
Sorry this is sorta off topic, but reading this kinda made me feel like bringing up today's "not so pleasant" convo with BFF
I also appreciate the fact that you worked a 10th Step an the incident looked at what you can do going forward to avoid this in the future and learned a valuable lesson
Thanks for sharing the journey.