Service and recovery -- the author of today's page finds that service to the Al-Anon group is essential to personal recovery, specifically because it brings them into contact with newcomers, which is a reminder of what is really important. Remembering what it was like to first come into Al-Anon, today's trivial problems fall into perspective. Being approachable and talking to newcomers is a reminder of reality -- the past that was struggling alone with alcoholism, and the present living with a fellowship and having tools to cope. Service helps to have gratitude for how far we have come.
Today's reminder: The Al-Anon program was there for me when I needed it. I will do what I can to ensure that it continues to thrive. I know that any service I offer will strengthen my own recovery.
Quote from In All Our Affairs: "God did for me what I couldn't do for myself. He got me involved in service work... It saved my life, may family, my sanity.
------------------------------------------
Today I am so grateful for service and what it has done for me. I'm grateful that I was in the middle of a service task for my Al-Anon district, and had to take a break from it to write this post. I'm grateful that I have more service tasks ahead of me, and that people actually express their appreciation of me! I am grateful that I have the health and resources to be of service.
When I have had some rough spots while doing service -- as stressful as those were -- I have grown from that, and I even realized that I could have a service sponsor and bounce things off them, so the thing I was worried about became manageable or even disappeared altogether.
I especially love the tradition that we have rotation of leadership. I think it's why Al-Anon has been around so long, because it is not dependent on any one person, and we have to keep changing who's in charge. It makes me give up a role that I have enjoyed, and got comfortable with, but it also gives me the opportunity to take on a new role and go through that learning process so I can get comfortable again. I have met some people in service that I thought were difficult, or not my type -- and have actually come to like, admire, and appreciate them.
I will get off my soapbox now, but I just have to say, looking back at the night I walked into that room at a church, in a state of shock and despair that alcoholism had removed all my hope for joy in life -- to now, when each day has joy, productivity, and self-care -- I am humbled with gratitude for this program, and will serve whenever and however I am able.
DavidG said
Oct 2, 2020
Service just creeps up on us. My experience with our home group here was devastating.
I found that often a group takes 18 to 24 months to build up... and losing gone is a big loss!
But we do live and learn. "no use crying over spilt milk" my mum used to say.
But it does take time to take stock- and try approaches that are less scary.
I really like it here, because there are so many seasoned members. And though we do make mistakes, I am sure
there is always a way through; through personal change, through patience, and through a pretty awesome group
conscience.
Part of the problem for a lot of us is that we try far too hard... too earnest. Having been around perfectionists a lot-
who won't ever admit then they fall short. And with is picking this up as a norm.
...With all of us around who have Step 10 under our belts, much of the time this seems to get easier and easier to understand.. ...
We had a big winter snap- with snow last week- but now heading back into spring.
Going to sailing apopo [tomorrow, that is...]... to see a grand-son row- but it is so windy-
that may be called off...
mais c'est la vie... one day at a time...
Thanks Freetime... ...
Lyne said
Oct 2, 2020
Thanks FT for your service! My weekly service on the board here makes me happy, and I often lead meetings at my F2F now zoom meetings. I always feel grateful for everyone else who not only do official service, but just by folks sharing. All the shares and service help me become a better person. THANK YOU EVERYONE!
Iamhere said
Oct 2, 2020
Thank you FT for your service and the daily. There is a huge return on investment for me when I am of service to others. I did not realize how self-serving and selfish I was with my thoughts and deeds before recovery and practice doing better. I can still be 'extreme' and have to be mindful of over-committing - a pesky little defect - which then has me neglecting my self-care. I just seem to do best when I stick to my routines as best as possible, which do leave open time each day for 'unexpected life'.
I feel that when I am able to be of service to another in need, I am my best self. I have learned that I do enjoy giving to others, and as I've matured, and gotten healthier, I consider doing something of service every day part of my routine.
With this pandemic, it can be as simple as reaching out to others - members, friends, etc. or even here. I feel it takes all of us to stay serene, sane and on track - so grateful for MIP and all of you! Happy Friday all - I decided to skip golf today and catch up around here on some things. It's definitely fall now - our temps. this morning were hovering around 40 with some wind from the North - not optimal golf weather for this warm-weather-loving gal. Love and light all - (((Hugs))) too!
Maresie888 said
Oct 3, 2020
I.am defintely someone who tends to be.over committed to service. Unfortunately because I had.not done the work needed on myself I had to learn how to back off.
Indeed in these days I work really hard to reign myself in
Nevertheless I am beginning to see that my being in recovery is a service to others.
My taking care of myself is a service to others. Moreover my showing up.for my life is a service to others. I am part of the solution rather than the problem
As someone who was scapegoated religiously as a child this is.a new.paradigm for me.
I work hard on being functional. I.cannot say I have always been capable.of doing that. The more.functional.I.am the less.of.a target I am. Being a target was.indeed my life.mission in the past
I would only walk.away from certain interactions.when I was practically destroyed. Now I know that there are certain fights I do not need to show up for. The beginning was with my family of origin.
I am so grateful to al anon for providing me with the tools and framework to gradually withdraw from the victim mode.
Now I am beginning to have the Live and let live mode adopted by al.anon founders. I most certainly could not have conceived of that.philpsophy when I.came into.the program
Maresie
Service and recovery -- the author of today's page finds that service to the Al-Anon group is essential to personal recovery, specifically because it brings them into contact with newcomers, which is a reminder of what is really important. Remembering what it was like to first come into Al-Anon, today's trivial problems fall into perspective. Being approachable and talking to newcomers is a reminder of reality -- the past that was struggling alone with alcoholism, and the present living with a fellowship and having tools to cope. Service helps to have gratitude for how far we have come.
Today's reminder: The Al-Anon program was there for me when I needed it. I will do what I can to ensure that it continues to thrive. I know that any service I offer will strengthen my own recovery.
Quote from In All Our Affairs: "God did for me what I couldn't do for myself. He got me involved in service work... It saved my life, may family, my sanity.
------------------------------------------
Today I am so grateful for service and what it has done for me. I'm grateful that I was in the middle of a service task for my Al-Anon district, and had to take a break from it to write this post. I'm grateful that I have more service tasks ahead of me, and that people actually express their appreciation of me! I am grateful that I have the health and resources to be of service.
When I have had some rough spots while doing service -- as stressful as those were -- I have grown from that, and I even realized that I could have a service sponsor and bounce things off them, so the thing I was worried about became manageable or even disappeared altogether.
I especially love the tradition that we have rotation of leadership. I think it's why Al-Anon has been around so long, because it is not dependent on any one person, and we have to keep changing who's in charge. It makes me give up a role that I have enjoyed, and got comfortable with, but it also gives me the opportunity to take on a new role and go through that learning process so I can get comfortable again. I have met some people in service that I thought were difficult, or not my type -- and have actually come to like, admire, and appreciate them.
I will get off my soapbox now, but I just have to say, looking back at the night I walked into that room at a church, in a state of shock and despair that alcoholism had removed all my hope for joy in life -- to now, when each day has joy, productivity, and self-care -- I am humbled with gratitude for this program, and will serve whenever and however I am able.
I found that often a group takes 18 to 24 months to build up... and losing gone is a big loss!
But we do live and learn. "no use crying over spilt milk" my mum used to say.
But it does take time to take stock- and try approaches that are less scary.
I really like it here, because there are so many seasoned members. And though we do make mistakes, I am sure
there is always a way through; through personal change, through patience, and through a pretty awesome group
conscience.
Part of the problem for a lot of us is that we try far too hard... too earnest. Having been around perfectionists a lot-
who won't ever admit then they fall short. And with is picking this up as a norm.
...With all of us around who have Step 10 under our belts, much of the time this seems to get easier and easier to understand..
...
We had a big winter snap- with snow last week- but now heading back into spring.
Going to sailing apopo [tomorrow, that is...]... to see a grand-son row- but it is so windy-
that may be called off...
mais c'est la vie... one day at a time...
Thank you FT for your service and the daily. There is a huge return on investment for me when I am of service to others. I did not realize how self-serving and selfish I was with my thoughts and deeds before recovery and practice doing better. I can still be 'extreme' and have to be mindful of over-committing - a pesky little defect - which then has me neglecting my self-care. I just seem to do best when I stick to my routines as best as possible, which do leave open time each day for 'unexpected life'.
I feel that when I am able to be of service to another in need, I am my best self. I have learned that I do enjoy giving to others, and as I've matured, and gotten healthier, I consider doing something of service every day part of my routine.
With this pandemic, it can be as simple as reaching out to others - members, friends, etc. or even here. I feel it takes all of us to stay serene, sane and on track - so grateful for MIP and all of you! Happy Friday all - I decided to skip golf today and catch up around here on some things. It's definitely fall now - our temps. this morning were hovering around 40 with some wind from the North - not optimal golf weather for this warm-weather-loving gal. Love and light all - (((Hugs))) too!