As we start the month of March, this daily reading addresses the pitfalls of seeking knowledge, waiting for insight as a way to avoid action, and trying to analyze alcoholism. Analyzing and insisting on answers could prevent us from accepting the reality of our situation and facing the fact that we may never fully understand the disease of alcoholism. We could also falter by waiting for a clear understanding of a Higher Power, and letting that stand in the way of taking action and praying.
Today's Reminder: Information can be wonderfully enlightening, but it is not the answer to every problem. I will be honest about my motives today.
Quote: "If you understand, things are as they are; if you do not understand, things are just as they are." - Zen Proverb
The reminder to check my motives is, for me, the key to this topic. I remember when I came across information about the science behind alcoholism, what happens in the brain, the chemistry, etc. We don't discuss that type of literature in Al-Anon meetings, and I understand why, as it could easily distract from our main purpose. It was a good thing I didn't come across this scientific information until I'd had some time in the program and had read all the Al-Anon books I could get my hands on, and after I was no longer in crisis mode. If I had found this information earlier, when I still thought I could change my husband, I might have said, "Look, honey, here's a book that explains what is wrong with you." That would not have gone over well. Instead, I found it at a time when all I could do was increase my own understanding of the cunning, baffling, and powerful disease.
As the Zen proverb says, this understanding did not change my situation. But it did change me. It increased my empathy and forgiveness.
hotrod said
Mar 1, 2019
Good Morning freetime _ i never thoughtt o" honestly" examine my moives until I embraced alanon's principles-- Wha a fantastic Spiritual practic!!!e
Thanks for your service
Iamhere said
Mar 1, 2019
Thank you freetime for your service and the daily. Thank you and Betty for your shares and ESH. I too never thought to consider my motives until it was suggested in recovery. I went through life working hard, and expecting 'the best' from everyone and everything. When that did not happen, I always looked to blame/shame others as I did not 'see' or 'understand' that I played a part in most life events and my actions directly affected many outcomes.
One day at a time, today, I feel almost as if I have a 'do-over'! I can pause, pray and then proceed. That pause to consider the facts, my motives and staying present help me to better respond vs. react. I am truly grateful for our program, our principles, steps, etc. What a better way to 'do life on life's terms'...
Happy Friday all - we have a warmer day today and then more weather over the weekend. I am hanging with my little people again this evening - what joy children are!!! Make it a great day all...
PosiesandPuppies said
Mar 1, 2019
Thank you, Freetime for your service with the Daily!! It has become a touchstone for me!
I appreciate the ESH from Betty and IAH as well. I now utilize 'The Pause' as well, as in doing so, it keep me out of the "reacting" phase, and allows me time to understand myself.
I must admit, it took me a LONG time to understand fully, that I will never be able to truly explain or understand the disease of addiction. I have always been in the medical field in some fashion, and took all sorts of science classes with my education, as that is my bliss. So part of me gently disagrees with the POV provided above. FOR ME, I had to know, and I felt more at ease learning about the scientific angles/explanations of addiction. Did that help me with acceptance of where MY life was at that very moment... NO! So in a very real sense, the veterans on this board where correct... no amount of searching out knowledge helped change the situation.
I found that what the knowledge DID help with, was my ability to begin to see my ExH as a struggling person... not someone who was doing this to me on purpose. Not the villain, but a very sick individual that needs a treatment plan... not just detox, or 30 day rehab etc.
There was one point made in the OP that was entirely true for me... it took me a long time to just accept that a Higher Power is at work in my life. I truly thought I was forsaken. I still hate to put a name on it... but I know that fostering the faith in my HP is important.
I hope everyone has a wonderful Friday! I am thanking the heavens that the rain has held off for my morning commute, but looking forward to the showers tomorrow!
As we start the month of March, this daily reading addresses the pitfalls of seeking knowledge, waiting for insight as a way to avoid action, and trying to analyze alcoholism. Analyzing and insisting on answers could prevent us from accepting the reality of our situation and facing the fact that we may never fully understand the disease of alcoholism. We could also falter by waiting for a clear understanding of a Higher Power, and letting that stand in the way of taking action and praying.
Today's Reminder: Information can be wonderfully enlightening, but it is not the answer to every problem. I will be honest about my motives today.
Quote: "If you understand, things are as they are; if you do not understand, things are just as they are." - Zen Proverb
------------------------------------------------------
The reminder to check my motives is, for me, the key to this topic. I remember when I came across information about the science behind alcoholism, what happens in the brain, the chemistry, etc. We don't discuss that type of literature in Al-Anon meetings, and I understand why, as it could easily distract from our main purpose. It was a good thing I didn't come across this scientific information until I'd had some time in the program and had read all the Al-Anon books I could get my hands on, and after I was no longer in crisis mode. If I had found this information earlier, when I still thought I could change my husband, I might have said, "Look, honey, here's a book that explains what is wrong with you." That would not have gone over well. Instead, I found it at a time when all I could do was increase my own understanding of the cunning, baffling, and powerful disease.
As the Zen proverb says, this understanding did not change my situation. But it did change me. It increased my empathy and forgiveness.
Thanks for your service
One day at a time, today, I feel almost as if I have a 'do-over'! I can pause, pray and then proceed. That pause to consider the facts, my motives and staying present help me to better respond vs. react. I am truly grateful for our program, our principles, steps, etc. What a better way to 'do life on life's terms'...
Happy Friday all - we have a warmer day today and then more weather over the weekend. I am hanging with my little people again this evening - what joy children are!!! Make it a great day all...
Thank you, Freetime for your service with the Daily!! It has become a touchstone for me!
I appreciate the ESH from Betty and IAH as well. I now utilize 'The Pause' as well, as in doing so, it keep me out of the "reacting" phase, and allows me time to understand myself.
I must admit, it took me a LONG time to understand fully, that I will never be able to truly explain or understand the disease of addiction. I have always been in the medical field in some fashion, and took all sorts of science classes with my education, as that is my bliss. So part of me gently disagrees with the POV provided above. FOR ME, I had to know, and I felt more at ease learning about the scientific angles/explanations of addiction.
Did that help me with acceptance of where MY life was at that very moment... NO! So in a very real sense, the veterans on this board where correct... no amount of searching out knowledge helped change the situation.
I found that what the knowledge DID help with, was my ability to begin to see my ExH as a struggling person... not someone who was doing this to me on purpose. Not the villain, but a very sick individual that needs a treatment plan... not just detox, or 30 day rehab etc.
There was one point made in the OP that was entirely true for me... it took me a long time to just accept that a Higher Power is at work in my life. I truly thought I was forsaken. I still hate to put a name on it... but I know that fostering the faith in my HP is important.
I hope everyone has a wonderful Friday! I am thanking the heavens that the rain has held off for my morning commute, but looking forward to the showers tomorrow!