TheeODATC reading for Tuesday, July 22 speaks about attempting to understand the disease of alcoholism because we think it will help us to better cope with the problem.
The reading suggests understanding the disease is not going to help us respond in a different fashion- we need to study the Al-Anon program and discover our own serenity which will have remarkable power to inspire others. the reading asked questions do I read up on alcoholism because I hope I can find a way to make my spouse stopped drinking..Tthe reading suggests we STOP Think of a Slogan such as:Keep it SIMPLE.
The reading suggests understanding the disease is not going to help us respond in a different fashion we need to study the Al-Anon program and discover our own serenity which will have remarkable power to inspire others. the reading asked questions do I read up on alcoholism because I hope I can find a way to make my spouse stopped drinking.
the quote is from Marcus Aurelius:"How much trouble ohe avoids it does not look to see what others say or do but only what he does himself that he may be just and pure.
i love the principles of his program and have learned to keep the focus on myself and trust HP
t
-- Edited by hotrod on Tuesday 23rd of July 2019 07:17:45 AM
Freetime said
Jul 23, 2019
Good morning, Betty, and thank you for this reading.
I agree that our motive is important when we think about understanding the disease of alcoholism. So true, that if we think it will help us make someone stop drinking, our time would be better spent meditating on our slogans, reading program literature, attending meetings.
My truth is that when I was in the depths of living with the disease, and someone shared scientific facts about alcoholism with me --- I didn't want to hear it or believe it. I was more comfortable with my fear and anger. I was trying hard to work my program, but often when I thought about a slogan, it was more like "One day at a time, dammit!!"
After my husband passed, I got the urge to read more about alcoholism as a disease. This information helped me understand why I had been powerless, and to have compassion. It helped me let go of anger. At that point, I was seeking to understand, but not to change someone else. Learning that information enhanced my spiritual growth.
Lyne said
Jul 23, 2019
Thanks Betty for your service and for the above shares. The concept of accepting that alcoholism was a disease did not help me the first couple years of my program. I was determined to hold onto my anger because my A was not willing to get help. As time passed and I was learning about myself and changing, as FT said, I was able to develop compassion. Whether addiction is a disease or not, my progress depends on me. I have to be willing to let go and let God, to live ODAT, to keep the focus on me, and with all my tools and program people I am becoming a much better person, Lyne
Iamhere said
Jul 23, 2019
Thank you Betty for your service and the daily! Thanks to all for your shares and ESH. I have been one who spent way too much time researching for the sake of problem solving and met my match with this disease. I will admit that prior to accepting the disease concept completely, I did a ton of research trying to 'cure' those I love with the disease. I will say that just made me crazy yet I also believe that nothing happens by mistake.
After time in recovery, with a bit of sanity and esteem restored, that research paid off. It gave me what I needed to accept, embrace, forgive and heal. I no longer had to blame the A or myself for what was or what has been; instead I could move forward using the steps and tools and embrace joy and serenity, one day at a time.
I recall being so stuck in anger, sadness, despair that I had to put away all photos of my boys as I broke down in tears each time I saw them. I had extreme/awful anxiety and had become an isolating shell of my former self. I carried so much shame and blame, switching between self and 'them' that I had no peace. Practicing a simpler life and a trusting in a God of my understanding has brought me far away from those former days of despair.
I do believe that an attitude of gratitude is absolutely necessary for me to live each day fully. I so prefer to focus on what's good in my life instead of where I was stuck for so long - what's broken in my life! Happy Tuesday all - we're continuing to have lovely weather for my area in July - I have my windows open....and I love window weather!!! (((Hugs))) to all!
Aloha said
Jul 25, 2019
I had to chew on this one for a while.
I think, as others have mentioned, that the motive around it is what makes this something to either not spend time on or to take the time to learn.
I was encouraged by my sponsor, and I'm pretty sure I've seen it in our own literature, but I'll have to do a lot of digging - it may be in a pamphlet - but Al-Anon DOES say to take the time to learn about the disease of alcoholism.
But yes, nowhere does it say "learn about alcoholism so you can take focus off yourself and try to get your loved one to stop drinking."
Unlike the author, learning about the disease of alcoholism actually did help me, if even a tiny bit, to respond to the alcoholic differently. It gave me some understanding of the compulsion. But, I also learned about alcoholism through the Big Book and AA speakers and open AA meetings. Not through sterile medical texts and "professional opinions". I learned it from the men and women who ARE alcoholics, as they know better than anyone else what this disease does.
I think what was important through all of this is that I did this with a sponsor. She helped me keep my focus on myself. In fact, after reading through the Big Book the first time, she told me to go back and read it and find MYSELF in its pages. That really brought me back to focusing on myself.
I need to pull out this reading from C2C and absorb it first hand, I think. There's something in me that doesn't like hearing our members being discouraged to understand about alcoholism.
t
-- Edited by hotrod on Tuesday 23rd of July 2019 07:17:45 AM
I agree that our motive is important when we think about understanding the disease of alcoholism. So true, that if we think it will help us make someone stop drinking, our time would be better spent meditating on our slogans, reading program literature, attending meetings.
My truth is that when I was in the depths of living with the disease, and someone shared scientific facts about alcoholism with me --- I didn't want to hear it or believe it. I was more comfortable with my fear and anger. I was trying hard to work my program, but often when I thought about a slogan, it was more like "One day at a time, dammit!!"
After my husband passed, I got the urge to read more about alcoholism as a disease. This information helped me understand why I had been powerless, and to have compassion. It helped me let go of anger. At that point, I was seeking to understand, but not to change someone else. Learning that information enhanced my spiritual growth.
After time in recovery, with a bit of sanity and esteem restored, that research paid off. It gave me what I needed to accept, embrace, forgive and heal. I no longer had to blame the A or myself for what was or what has been; instead I could move forward using the steps and tools and embrace joy and serenity, one day at a time.
I recall being so stuck in anger, sadness, despair that I had to put away all photos of my boys as I broke down in tears each time I saw them. I had extreme/awful anxiety and had become an isolating shell of my former self. I carried so much shame and blame, switching between self and 'them' that I had no peace. Practicing a simpler life and a trusting in a God of my understanding has brought me far away from those former days of despair.
I do believe that an attitude of gratitude is absolutely necessary for me to live each day fully. I so prefer to focus on what's good in my life instead of where I was stuck for so long - what's broken in my life! Happy Tuesday all - we're continuing to have lovely weather for my area in July - I have my windows open....and I love window weather!!! (((Hugs))) to all!
I think, as others have mentioned, that the motive around it is what makes this something to either not spend time on or to take the time to learn.
I was encouraged by my sponsor, and I'm pretty sure I've seen it in our own literature, but I'll have to do a lot of digging - it may be in a pamphlet - but Al-Anon DOES say to take the time to learn about the disease of alcoholism.
But yes, nowhere does it say "learn about alcoholism so you can take focus off yourself and try to get your loved one to stop drinking."
Unlike the author, learning about the disease of alcoholism actually did help me, if even a tiny bit, to respond to the alcoholic differently. It gave me some understanding of the compulsion. But, I also learned about alcoholism through the Big Book and AA speakers and open AA meetings. Not through sterile medical texts and "professional opinions". I learned it from the men and women who ARE alcoholics, as they know better than anyone else what this disease does.
I think what was important through all of this is that I did this with a sponsor. She helped me keep my focus on myself. In fact, after reading through the Big Book the first time, she told me to go back and read it and find MYSELF in its pages. That really brought me back to focusing on myself.
I need to pull out this reading from C2C and absorb it first hand, I think. There's something in me that doesn't like hearing our members being discouraged to understand about alcoholism.
Thanks for the brain food!