Todays reading is a focus on learning who we are and how we define ourselves. The writer describes growing up in an alcoholic home and as a result, having a false sense of self. The writer felt invisible and without a voice. When the writer felt something, it felt like the experience of someone else. Through program work, the writer began to focus on self, taking personal inventory and not getting into others business. The writer discovered through step 1 that he/she was someone who tried to control alcoholism, in step 2 the writer began considering the existence of a higher power who could help, in step 4 the writer began to define him/herself rather than be defined by others.
I have thought about how often I have reacted to what others are doing or saying in order to make decisions for myself. I have reacted to other situations and worked around what other people are doing or saying rather than make decisions for myself on my own terms. Working through the steps and working on a personal inventory were helpful in learning more about who I am. One of the most beneficial exercises I did with a sponsor was a a look at how I would I define positive characteristics of myself in addition to character defects I work on. For me it was another aspect of the gentleness of this program: most of us look incessantly at all the things we would characterize as defects, to balance that with positive traits is a way to see ourselves with better clarity.
The Thought for the Day reminds us: In Al-Anon I can safely do the work of defining myself rather than allowing others to do the job.
I hope everyone enjoys a peaceful Sunday:)
Mary
DM2021 said
Aug 28, 2022
{{Mary}} Happy Sunday and thank you for your service!!
For me, dealing with the alcoholic chaos felt like I was in a constant struggle to hang on to me and my integrity.
Al-Anon has taught me that no one can take my life or integrity away unless I let them!!
I learned in those first four steps that I do not need to fight, just the opposite. Let the alcoholic do for themselves
and mind my own business. Leaning on my HP and working the program is my absolute solution.
Grateful member!!! {{HUGS}} to the MIP Family!!
PosiesandPuppies said
Aug 28, 2022
Thank you Mary for your service, and Deb for your thoughts on how today's reading affects you.
I am always grateful to come here and get what I need. Support, validation, a path forward. Al-Anon showed me that I had lost myself during my long journey with an addicted spouse. Gaslighting took away the confidence I once had. In all honesty, it is still a huge trigger for me, but my program has shown me how to deal and heal.
I can really identify with Mary when she said she would work around what other people are doing/saying rather than make decisions for herself. That is what my adult life had grown into. And with my Step 4 work, I realized that was my pattern all along! I have done 3 serious Step 4's. Each one has brought me closer to who I really am and who I want to become. I am a work in progress!
I hope everyone enjoys their Sunday - however that is revealed to you!
Good morning everyone:
Todays reading is a focus on learning who we are and how we define ourselves. The writer describes growing up in an alcoholic home and as a result, having a false sense of self. The writer felt invisible and without a voice. When the writer felt something, it felt like the experience of someone else. Through program work, the writer began to focus on self, taking personal inventory and not getting into others business. The writer discovered through step 1 that he/she was someone who tried to control alcoholism, in step 2 the writer began considering the existence of a higher power who could help, in step 4 the writer began to define him/herself rather than be defined by others.
I have thought about how often I have reacted to what others are doing or saying in order to make decisions for myself. I have reacted to other situations and worked around what other people are doing or saying rather than make decisions for myself on my own terms. Working through the steps and working on a personal inventory were helpful in learning more about who I am. One of the most beneficial exercises I did with a sponsor was a a look at how I would I define positive characteristics of myself in addition to character defects I work on. For me it was another aspect of the gentleness of this program: most of us look incessantly at all the things we would characterize as defects, to balance that with positive traits is a way to see ourselves with better clarity.
The Thought for the Day reminds us: In Al-Anon I can safely do the work of defining myself rather than allowing others to do the job.
I hope everyone enjoys a peaceful Sunday:)
Mary
For me, dealing with the alcoholic chaos felt like I was in a constant struggle to hang on to me and my integrity.
Al-Anon has taught me that no one can take my life or integrity away unless I let them!!
I learned in those first four steps that I do not need to fight, just the opposite. Let the alcoholic do for themselves
and mind my own business. Leaning on my HP and working the program is my absolute solution.
Grateful member!!! {{HUGS}} to the MIP Family!!
Thank you Mary for your service, and Deb for your thoughts on how today's reading affects you.
I am always grateful to come here and get what I need. Support, validation, a path forward.
Al-Anon showed me that I had lost myself during my long journey with an addicted spouse. Gaslighting took away the confidence I once had. In all honesty, it is still a huge trigger for me, but my program has shown me how to deal and heal.
I can really identify with Mary when she said she would work around what other people are doing/saying rather than make decisions for herself. That is what my adult life had grown into. And with my Step 4 work, I realized that was my pattern all along! I have done 3 serious Step 4's. Each one has brought me closer to who I really am and who I want to become.
I am a work in progress!
I hope everyone enjoys their Sunday - however that is revealed to you!