This program is for a lifetime. Once you become a member you are always a member. Even when you slip, you can come back. Even when someone is not attending meetings(speaking for myself) It never goes away. You will remember something that you heard at a meeting like the slogans or the serenity prayer that will remind you of where you NEED to be. I would not recommend not going to meetings. I have slipped so many times lately. I forget to work the program. I just want to share a little bit on what I believe. Nothing is as important than being in this program. YOU can try to do other things, but because this is a lifetime program you can't really do anything that gets in the way of your recovery.
I feel welcome wherever I go. Whenever I go to any state or even country, the hand of Al anon. We are all working the 12 steps in any language.
Sometimes I feel like a newcomer even though I have going to meetings for years. I have slipped & sometimes fallen, I have always been picked up by the Al anon program. I never stop learning & growing. I guess I am still a work in progress. Sometimes I am not in a good head-space & I have many difficulties. The I use the serenity prayer or some slogan.
I am finding that even though my AH is in recovery, he can still use his disease to get to me. Just yesterday he said once again that I am a one way street. Other words come right of his mouth that hurt me deeply. I try not to engage but when I do, I say things like you must not know who you are talking to. & the comparison to my mother is out of line.
He even says that we are arguing even when we aren't. It is hard for me to say anything. I try to keep myself in check.
I have to admit I can't be there for others at times. I want to work the 12 step but I am not always prepared for facing another person. But it is nice to see a newcomer come in & 'get' the program. I have an obligation to carry the message to those who want it. I know that I can't give away something I haven't got.
I have a lot of program friends who remind me when I don't have the program or don't work it. I am grateful for the people that have been along the road to the path of wellness.
Take what you like & leave the rest. I am not perfect. Some of these words might be my own opinion. I am human. I make mistakes.
In the meantime I will trudge the road to happy destiny. I hope I will find you there.
Iamhere said
Apr 16, 2018
Great share Kathleen - so so true! I too am trudging along expecting progress daily vs. perfection. I have learned from all I encounter - new members, long-term members, etc. So grateful that I'm a work in progress in a fellowship of like-minded imperfect lovely people. (((Hugs)))
hotrod said
Apr 17, 2018
Hi kathleen I agree. I too have found a slogan or the serenity prayer pop into my head in times of crisis instead of my former anger or panic and am extremely grateful ,
This program is for a lifetime. Once you become a member you are always a member. Even when you slip, you can come back. Even when someone is not attending meetings(speaking for myself) It never goes away. You will remember something that you heard at a meeting like the slogans or the serenity prayer that will remind you of where you NEED to be. I would not recommend not going to meetings. I have slipped so many times lately. I forget to work the program. I just want to share a little bit on what I believe. Nothing is as important than being in this program. YOU can try to do other things, but because this is a lifetime program you can't really do anything that gets in the way of your recovery.
I feel welcome wherever I go. Whenever I go to any state or even country, the hand of Al anon. We are all working the 12 steps in any language.
Sometimes I feel like a newcomer even though I have going to meetings for years. I have slipped & sometimes fallen, I have always been picked up by the Al anon program. I never stop learning & growing. I guess I am still a work in progress. Sometimes I am not in a good head-space & I have many difficulties. The I use the serenity prayer or some slogan.
I am finding that even though my AH is in recovery, he can still use his disease to get to me. Just yesterday he said once again that I am a one way street. Other words come right of his mouth that hurt me deeply. I try not to engage but when I do, I say things like you must not know who you are talking to. & the comparison to my mother is out of line.
He even says that we are arguing even when we aren't. It is hard for me to say anything. I try to keep myself in check.
I have to admit I can't be there for others at times. I want to work the 12 step but I am not always prepared for facing another person. But it is nice to see a newcomer come in & 'get' the program. I have an obligation to carry the message to those who want it. I know that I can't give away something I haven't got.
I have a lot of program friends who remind me when I don't have the program or don't work it. I am grateful for the people that have been along the road to the path of wellness.
Take what you like & leave the rest. I am not perfect. Some of these words might be my own opinion. I am human. I make mistakes.
In the meantime I will trudge the road to happy destiny. I hope I will find you there.