The material presented
here is not Al-Anon Conference Approved Literature. It is a method
to exchange
information, ideas, feelings, problems and solutions on a personal
level.
Hi everyone! I have been gone from this site for quite a while, as my computer had crashed. Nice to be back.
It's enough to say that alcohol and mental illness has affected me all my life ... father was an alcoholic, husband was an A and drug dealer; children involved with alcohol/drugs, son bipolar/schizo affective ....etc. etc. Anymore info, you can click on my name and read some of my past postings.
The 1 thing I see is .. the names change.... but the stories and the pain are all the same. We all need each other ... we need the support and encouragement. We can't make it alone!
Glad to see familiar "names" and very glad to see new ones!!!
welcome back, (((irish))); glad to see you back in this place of healing. you are right about the stories and the pain, and we do, at least, have each other to lean on.
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time to stop going to the hardware store to buy bread.
Irish, I notice this, too. In a way, it hardly matters who it is because its all the same thing over and over and over again. Its really pretty remarkable. Its a very predictable pattern and sequence of events, isn't it? In a way, this is so comforting to me- like the cycle of the seasons- when its winter, I know that spring will come. When I feel horrible, I can see that the day will come when I feel good. Also, this helps me not to take things so personally- its a disease with a set course and pattern. Hugs, J.
You could be right and as Bettina reminds us that is true until we get a new pair of glasses that give us a different vision. If we don't get those new glasses and the willingness to attain a new perspective based on faith, hope and works...we doom ourselves. "It all changes when we change."
This thread also reminds me that when I first came to al anon, I didn't think anyone would understand or believe what I was dealing with for so long on my own. Then I learned to focus that attention on who I could change, myself! Now I know that there are so many who suffer alone but here we can help ourselves and each other to make changes on how we view things. It is so wonderful to no longer be isolated or feel so alone about all this.
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"Choices are the hinges of destiny." Pythagoras You can't change the past, but you can change the future.
Thank you all for all the kinds words. ((((((HUGS)))))
Yes, I agree, if nothing changes..nothing changes. My point was/is that we are not alone ..... that's actually a huge comfort to me! It is, however, terribly sad to see so many of us affected with so much pain by this dreadful disease.
Al-Anon has helped me tremendously!!! However, I still have those days when it's 1 step forward and 3 back. The situations with my children have not changed for any better ... as far as I can see. They continue their path .... and tho I know the slogans and all, and most days I can work it....I am human, and there are some days....!!!!!
Just so thankful I DO know there is something and I DO have a HP!!!
You know I used to imagine I'd be a great great mother because I could empathise. I realise now that being a mother is a such a huge undertaking. What a task we ask of them. I know I would have been totally dysfunctional at the job, what an ego I had. Of course I've been totally dysfunctional at most things.
I am so grateful I came to al anon and discoverd this family who take me as I am, warts and all and love me regardless. I have learned all the tools, tasks and steps I need to go out there in the world. I so enjoy being human with you. Thank you so much for coming back and updating.