Todays reading is about being willing to do the work we need to do in order to make the changes we want in our lives. The writer describes getting a sponsor after a long time and noticing that her recovery accelerated with the help of another person. This got me thinking about how living with alcoholism can be so isolating. The A can become consumed with the drinking cycle and the person loving the A can be consumed with every part of the drinking cycle of the A. It becomes difficult to be part of a normal and loving relationship without chaos, trying to fix another person, etc.
Many years ago I was at a meeting and one of the people sharing was a woman who described some situations in her life that anyone would have said were quite negative. In spite of this, the aura about her was relaxed, content, positive. I remember thinking Ill have what shes having. As the writer of todays page suggests, I decided to do the work I needed to do in order to get closer to a serene life. Showing up at meetings, doing the readings, working the steps, consistent work with my sponsor, have all been helpful ways to keep steering me on that path.
I love the quotation at the end of todays page from How Alanon Works for Families and Friends of Alcoholics (p37):
The most important thing is to be willing to reach out and ask for the help we need, human to human.
I hope everyone enjoys their Sunday!
M
Iamhere said
Nov 24, 2019
Thank you Mary for your service and the daily! Have a lovely Sunday - I plan to do so!!
I can be stubborn and resist change, yet can readily testify that my serenity, joy and sanity are directly related to my willingness of action. I have slowly learned by practicing that I don't have to be a step guru or spend extreme amounts of time/energy in practicing recovery - I just need to be willing to do some things each/every day. I love my local support I've gained in recovery. I am grateful each day for the many persons who've become a part of my journey. I read a quote today -
Spider Robinson, b. 1948. Shared pain is lessened. Shared joy is increased. Thus we refute entropy.
This spoke to me as it has been my experience! I am off to a meeting shortly - so grateful for the beautiful sun shine, warmer temperatures today, a meeting on the horizon and an afternoon of football!!! A lovely Sunday indeed! (((Hugs)))
DavidG said
Nov 24, 2019
Thanks Mary, and hi Iam...
I was hankering for our own hometown group- but wanted to do this one one day at a time. Thanksgiving is arriving to North America. In NZ and OZ all our family dreams are invested in Christmas and New Year. A good time to reach out to people who are still living with drinking and/or drugging... ...but, again I have to look after me, and my own family. I did raise the issue of out-reach with the group down the road... ...and I am certain I don't want to go it alone. Or maybe time to put my readers back on the bookshelf and slip into retirement from active recovery?
I plan to work on step 12 through December- including a visit to ta F@F meeting. Gratitude time. And to have a good look at Tradition 5, maybe in the New Year. One message [right now] coming from my higher power- "wait to be asked".
Yep, okay- who is going to ask? Where is the balance between giving and getting?
If I keep sharing I might start getting answers... ???
PosiesandPuppies said
Nov 24, 2019
Good morning all! Thank you for your insights!
Thank you Mary for your service today!
I am more content, more serene when I do the "work" needed. I tend to slip into old patterns, so always attending to the "work" is a good thing for me!
Good morning Everyone-
Todays reading is about being willing to do the work we need to do in order to make the changes we want in our lives. The writer describes getting a sponsor after a long time and noticing that her recovery accelerated with the help of another person. This got me thinking about how living with alcoholism can be so isolating. The A can become consumed with the drinking cycle and the person loving the A can be consumed with every part of the drinking cycle of the A. It becomes difficult to be part of a normal and loving relationship without chaos, trying to fix another person, etc.
Many years ago I was at a meeting and one of the people sharing was a woman who described some situations in her life that anyone would have said were quite negative. In spite of this, the aura about her was relaxed, content, positive. I remember thinking Ill have what shes having. As the writer of todays page suggests, I decided to do the work I needed to do in order to get closer to a serene life. Showing up at meetings, doing the readings, working the steps, consistent work with my sponsor, have all been helpful ways to keep steering me on that path.
I love the quotation at the end of todays page from How Alanon Works for Families and Friends of Alcoholics (p37):
The most important thing is to be willing to reach out and ask for the help we need, human to human.
I hope everyone enjoys their Sunday!
M
I can be stubborn and resist change, yet can readily testify that my serenity, joy and sanity are directly related to my willingness of action. I have slowly learned by practicing that I don't have to be a step guru or spend extreme amounts of time/energy in practicing recovery - I just need to be willing to do some things each/every day. I love my local support I've gained in recovery. I am grateful each day for the many persons who've become a part of my journey. I read a quote today -
Spider Robinson, b. 1948. Shared pain is lessened. Shared joy is increased. Thus we refute entropy.
This spoke to me as it has been my experience! I am off to a meeting shortly - so grateful for the beautiful sun shine, warmer temperatures today, a meeting on the horizon and an afternoon of football!!! A lovely Sunday indeed! (((Hugs)))
I was hankering for our own hometown group- but wanted to do this one one day at a time. Thanksgiving is arriving to North America. In NZ and OZ all our family dreams are invested in Christmas and New Year. A good time to reach out to people who are still living with drinking and/or drugging... ...but, again I have to look after me, and my own family. I did raise the issue of out-reach with the group down the road... ...and I am certain I don't want to go it alone. Or maybe time to put my readers back on the bookshelf and slip into retirement from active recovery?
I plan to work on step 12 through December- including a visit to ta F@F meeting. Gratitude time. And to have a good look at Tradition 5, maybe in the New Year. One message [right now] coming from my higher power- "wait to be asked".
Yep, okay- who is going to ask? Where is the balance between giving and getting?
If I keep sharing I might start getting answers... ???
Good morning all! Thank you for your insights!
Thank you Mary for your service today!
I am more content, more serene when I do the "work" needed. I tend to slip into old patterns, so always attending to the "work" is a good thing for me!
I hope you all enjoy your Sunday, Funday too!