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.
Hello and Hugs,This month makes one year since HP guided me to MIP. That is my #1 on my gratitude list today. Even though the last year has been a tough one, it has been one of the best ones. As many newbies do, I came here hopeless and desperate of learning how to deal with the alcoholic in my life. What a surprise it was to learn that I needed to focus on myself and let HP take care of the rest. I'd come here with much faith for HP. Over the years, it's through my trials that my faith had been sharpened. That part was easy for me. Although it wasn't easy to step out of the way and let HP do his job. I was so eager to do step four. The blueprints for progress were in the first set of books I bought. It still sits in the drawer of my nightstand unopened. Like many, I've been doing the 1.2.3 dance. I think I am now ready for step four. Maybe even ready for a sponsor. Alanon has given me many gifts. The most important gift to me has been gratitude. I am so fortunate and I didn't know it before I came here. I was never satisfied, I always wanted more. Today, I feel truly blessed.Alanon has also given me myself back. I've forgotten about me before I came here. I was just an empty spirit, unfulfilled, ungrateful, full of expectations in others and wanting something that only HP could give me. I had lost pride in my own self and it hurt to smile. I'm not perfect today by any means. But I do take better care of myself. I try my best to fill my spirit and by no means do I put expectations on people. Anonymity! That's a big one! Who would have ever thought that anonymity was so important. Before Alanon, I thought if someone asked, "how are you?", I had to open my mouth and spill the beans. Not anymore, I simply reply, "unbelievable". And that basically covers everything!One day at time! WHOO HOO...imagine that. I just live in today or the next 10 minutes if that's all I can handle. I work really hard on staying in this moment. When I am successful at living ODAT, even the rainy days are beautiful days. I've learned that Projection and Rationalization are two of my biggest enemies. I've been blessed to learn that there are tools that help me defend myself against those enemies.I've learned how about the dreadful disease of alcoholism. It breaks my heart and it scares me. I used to only be judgmental and angry at alcoholism. Although I have not completely broken my case of isolation, I am not as lonely as I was before. I have found a bunch of new friends in alanon. I feel understood and I feel loved. Many people have touched my life and I will be a better person for having shared in their ESH. Progress Not Perfection! I realize now that all the things I've been tested with are not to beat me down. They are to build me up. Each trial I go through only leads to progress.Thank you, to everyone here! My heart is Happy!Sincerely,Tonya
Wow, what a great post Sincerely/Tonya! I am also so grateful- and it keeps getting so much better. I LOVE living ODAT. It makes so much sense. It is so amazing to me that no adult taught me how valuable and logical ODAT actually is as a child or teen or young adult. In August, it will be my 4 year anniversary. Your post inspires me to write a long post for my anniversary, too. Its such a special time and its something that can really only be shared and truly understood in the rooms, I think. Thank you so much for posting in such a glowing way- it shines like the sun! hugs, J.
I am feeling a bit more hopeful after reading your post. Am finding it very difficult to bring myself to go to a face to face meeting. I looked at your subject "My 1 year Alanon Anniversary" and all I did at first was cry as I am, in a few days ,facing My 1 year wedding Anniversary and am feeling drained upset angry and so unbelievably sad that it is hard to function. My husband is in rehab at the moment but I am no fool and know that this does not mean all is well. While he is pouring all of his energy into feeling better I feel like I am sinking lower and lower. I find it so hard to tell anyone what has happened in my life over the past few years an don't know where to start. Your positive attitude has made me ,for the first time ,in a long time believe that there may be some hope and that hehas not ruined me forever. Thank You,
