Today's reading discusses Step Seven - Humbly asked HiWm to remove our shortcomings." Often times, we consider this step with seriousness, dread and humility. Instead, we are asked to consider joy and even humor.
The author suggests that a sign that we've actually gotten humble enough to ask our HP to remove a shortcoming is that we can laugh about it. A past action or past decision might seem ludicrous today when at that time, it felt and appeared so serious! When this happens, we realize that our HP has lessened the impact of a shortcoming - real change often comes in the form of laughter.
When we are willing to step back and see humor even in areas that fall short of our expectations, we get out of the way and give HP room to work.
This reading reminds me that I often feel as if I am standing still yet when I humbly and honestly assess where I am today and what's important to me today, I then find growth and progress. I am doing laundry today and while looking for stains to spot treat, I got a chuckle out of how differently I and my AH are...
I get so super frustrated when an item comes out of the wash/dry process with stains/spots. I certainly won't wear that item even if the spot is super small (this is that OCD in me). My AH doesn't see all 'this' the same way. If an item comes out with a spot, he'll wear it - anywhere - with no concern or care in the world.
I laughed because in spite of how differently we see the world, this is one of many examples of our extremes. The beauty of this program is that neither of us and our views are right or wrong -- it just is. A stain on a favorite shirt is not a reflection on me, nor a sign that I 'failed' at laundry or more. It's a stain - nothing more and nothing less. If there's a word for it, I am not alone and it's certainly happened to others before me.
Grateful that this program has helped me find humor and joy in the strangest places. When I focus on my own attitude and outlook, my day is viewed as a blessing! Happy Saturday MIP - make it a great one!!
Debb said
Mar 13, 2021
Thank you to you IAH for your service, today's reading and your ESH.
It is funny, this morning I had one of those moments as well with AH, it was not as humorous, but one that
I was able to see how Al-Anon has worked it's magic on me over the years. Since it is time to "spring ahead"
this week-end it is also time to change the 9V batteries in the smoke detectors. We have two detectors, one
newer one on the second floor which does not require a battery, but the one on the first floor is older and
when AH went to change the battery, he discovered it is not longer working. He said he would order one
via the internet with a gift card he has and I suggested that knowing the detector is not working that maybe
he should purchase one from a local store rather than wait for it to be delivered. Of course that was not
what he wanted to do/hear and I got the disapproving looks and as he walked away he was shaking his
head like I just made this unreasonable/unnecessary request. I smiled and dropped it because I voiced
my opinion and if AH did not like it, so be it. Thank you Al-Anon, I was able to hand it over to HP and
move on with my life. {{HUGS to everyone}}
Enigmatic said
Mar 14, 2021
Thank you for your service and shares IAH and Debb, great page...
Humor is not my first approach to this issue, and therein lies my problem: thinking too much about me me me, and having unreasonable expectations of my performance...a lack of humility at times.
AlAnon reminds me that I am often (an great improvement over 'almost always' before AlAnon!) ridiculous in my pettiness and concern with how others 'should' live their lives, when I don't know how I should run mine...That it IS pretty funny when I am reminded to see it that way, and I can always use the laugh
Lyne said
Mar 14, 2021
Thanks IAH for your service and this is a great thread of shares. Program has helped me learn to laugh at myself and at many things. I used to be way to serious. I can relate to the stained clothes and getting something important right away, vs. alcoholic spouses doing things their way. And our collective progress is that we can let it go: live and let live, let go and let God. Grateful member.
Today's reading discusses Step Seven - Humbly asked HiWm to remove our shortcomings." Often times, we consider this step with seriousness, dread and humility. Instead, we are asked to consider joy and even humor.
The author suggests that a sign that we've actually gotten humble enough to ask our HP to remove a shortcoming is that we can laugh about it. A past action or past decision might seem ludicrous today when at that time, it felt and appeared so serious! When this happens, we realize that our HP has lessened the impact of a shortcoming - real change often comes in the form of laughter.
When we are willing to step back and see humor even in areas that fall short of our expectations, we get out of the way and give HP room to work.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This reading reminds me that I often feel as if I am standing still yet when I humbly and honestly assess where I am today and what's important to me today, I then find growth and progress. I am doing laundry today and while looking for stains to spot treat, I got a chuckle out of how differently I and my AH are...
I get so super frustrated when an item comes out of the wash/dry process with stains/spots. I certainly won't wear that item even if the spot is super small (this is that OCD in me). My AH doesn't see all 'this' the same way. If an item comes out with a spot, he'll wear it - anywhere - with no concern or care in the world.
I laughed because in spite of how differently we see the world, this is one of many examples of our extremes. The beauty of this program is that neither of us and our views are right or wrong -- it just is. A stain on a favorite shirt is not a reflection on me, nor a sign that I 'failed' at laundry or more. It's a stain - nothing more and nothing less. If there's a word for it, I am not alone and it's certainly happened to others before me.
Grateful that this program has helped me find humor and joy in the strangest places. When I focus on my own attitude and outlook, my day is viewed as a blessing! Happy Saturday MIP - make it a great one!!
It is funny, this morning I had one of those moments as well with AH, it was not as humorous, but one that
I was able to see how Al-Anon has worked it's magic on me over the years. Since it is time to "spring ahead"
this week-end it is also time to change the 9V batteries in the smoke detectors. We have two detectors, one
newer one on the second floor which does not require a battery, but the one on the first floor is older and
when AH went to change the battery, he discovered it is not longer working. He said he would order one
via the internet with a gift card he has and I suggested that knowing the detector is not working that maybe
he should purchase one from a local store rather than wait for it to be delivered. Of course that was not
what he wanted to do/hear and I got the disapproving looks and as he walked away he was shaking his
head like I just made this unreasonable/unnecessary request. I smiled and dropped it because I voiced
my opinion and if AH did not like it, so be it. Thank you Al-Anon, I was able to hand it over to HP and
move on with my life. {{HUGS to everyone}}
Humor is not my first approach to this issue, and therein lies my problem: thinking too much about me me me, and having unreasonable expectations of my performance...a lack of humility at times.
AlAnon reminds me that I am often (an great improvement over 'almost always' before AlAnon!) ridiculous in my pettiness and concern with how others 'should' live their lives, when I don't know how I should run mine...That it IS pretty funny when I am reminded to see it that way, and I can always use the laugh