Today's author talks about taking Step Three over and over again.  They reflect that they often wait until a problem becomes overwhelming before finally giving in and turning it over to their Higher Power.  However they also reflect that the awareness they have gained in Al-Anon lets them know that their way has seldom worked in the past. It's only when they let go and trust their inner voice that quietly nudges them in the direction of their Higher Power's choosing that their life becomes fulfilling.

Today's Reminder - Is there any area in my life that I treat as though it were too important to turn over to a Higher Power?  Are my efforts to control that area making my life better and more manageable? Are they doing any good at all? I can hold on to my will until the situation becomes so painful that I am forced to submit, or I can put my energy where it can do some good right now and surrender to my Higher Power's care.

"I have held many things in my hands, and I have lost them all: but whatever I have placed in God's hands, that I still posses" - Martin Luther

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For me the decision to turn my will over to my HP only happened when my life has become so chaotic and unmanageable that I couldn't cope any more.  I was like a full cup of water - one more drop sent the whole lot spilling over.  My whole life had spiralled out of control.  It was almost as if this was the last thing I could possibly do.

The part of this reading which really resonates with me is about looking at where I am putting my energy.  Many times in the past I focused my energy on things which were outside of my control and I just ended up frustrated and exhausted.  Now with the help of the programme, I let go of things, turn them over to my HP and keep my energy for myself and my own wellbeing. 

I imagine my HP as having not just me, but my AH in His care.  This also helps to build my compassion for my AH.  Letting go helps me to keep my worries more manageable and focus on what I truly can control.

Thank you BT for your service, today's reading and your wonderful ESH!

Greetings to the MIP Family!

I still let stuff overwhelm me and do not always automatically hand over my problems to HP when it is

obvious that I cannot control a particular situation, but I definitely recognize when I have arrived at

those uncontrollable times much quicker thanks to Al-Anon and am able to ask HP for help.

I think it is, for me, difficult to always let things go without giving it my best shot, something inside

me feels like, when I hand it over that I am giving up. There are times, like when AH out and out

lies or flies off the handle at me that I can see there is nothing I can do. Then there are times when,

say for instance the cat needed to go the vets and I just had surgery and needed AH to carry that

big carrier, and he refused, then I had to put my foot down cause the cat had an ear infection. After

the verbal abuse subsides, then I can hand my frustrations over to HP, but prior to that, it is a

very trying time. Oh well ... for me every circumstance has a different approach, but I do try to

minimize the damage.  {{HUGS}}