"The process of recovery in Al-Anon has been likened to peeling an onion. We peel away a layer at a time, often shedding a few tears as we do. 

But recovery always makes me think of the bark of a birch tree. The birch's bark is necessary for protection, yet as the tree grows, the bark peels away gradually on its own accord. If it removed prematurely -- by a deer scraping his antlers or a porcupine searching for food -- the tree is wounded and becomes vulnerable to infection, fungus, and insects. 

Like the birch tree, I can be wounded if I am prematurely stripped of my defenses. Most of us have spent a significant amount of time trying to cope with these wounds from the past rather than growing and changing. But in Al-Anon I am encouraged to grow at my own pace. As I do, I find some of my defenses and ideas too tight, too limiting. And so I slough them off, just as the birch releases old skin. They are no longer needed."

TODAY'S REMINDER : 

I have an innate ability to heal and grow. I don't need to force myself to change. All I have to do is show up and be willing. When I am ready, the changes will come easily.

"... We all have our own answers within ourselves and can find them with the help of our Al-Anon program and a Higher Power."... In All Our Affairs.

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I needed these words today. Glad to share them here!

"All I need is to show up and be willing." 

&

   Thanks P. I had tears last week- tears of gratitude. I know I know I can grieve these days- of something comes up.

That is a blessing to know. I heard Brene Brown talk on you tube- about how she fretted and worried about the fate of her kids. If one as run over by a bus- that sort of thing.Not all that likely- but possible. I had a life od rehearsing what would happen if the A. had a bad accident. I did not think: "serves him right". I might have. Nah- I thought the worst, and how awful the repercussions would be.

I had a major human wound 4 or 5 years ago. It was more psychosomatic than medical. But it was like a big splinter under the skin. Just wanted together rid of it. So, in the end i had to deal to it. I was ready. I had had it. 

i was too muddled to deal with it sooner. Just surviving.

It is windy and cool here today. A bit more rain tomorrow... Sunday, in a long weekend. Looking forward to the week- working away from home. I have resources and people in my world these days. Not vanishing into the ether, on my own. Lost. 

I have mostly lost people like myself- who are grateful for the company.

But more than that- satisfied survivors. Successful at coping- even at enjoying stuff...

...even though i was just coping- sometimes falling apart- I set aside resources and assets that would help down the track.

Getting along to meeting time- keeps me focussed. On task... 

-thanks for the share...  ... ... ... 

Just learning to being here because I wanted and then needed to be here was powerful to my life.  I would have never made it unless I came to understand "One day at a time"; "One step at a time" and "Easy does it" which seemed so crazy to me because of all of the insanity that was going on everywhere all the time and then "Easy does it" was one something I could do with the help of the fellowship and family.  I noted the consequences in my life as I was able to do it easily and everything in my mind, body, spirit and emotions began to quiet down and I was able to do more for my own sanity.

I learned to practice courage and then practice it again and I could recognize the changes that came from it.  I made the decision to keep coming back and follow thru with what and how the elders were talking about and now...here I am continuing to practice our program.

Thanks family or in my culture "Mahalo Nui Loa" ....((((hugs))))