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.
Today I saw a former neighbor of mine on the street. I have been angry at her for years about her behavior, drama and chaos. She was absolutely hell to live with. Naturally she takes no reponsibility for that so she wasn't exactly pleased to see me. In the past when she indicated that I had some retort. Today it was obvious her drug use and drama had taken her down the path for many alcoholics/addicts. At first I was annoyed to see her because after all I have enough stress in my life. However this time for the very first time I felt I did not need to be angry with her anymore. I could acknowledge she was ill and not able to stop.
I never thought I would get to that point of detachment of being able to stop personalizing it all. I took it so personally when I had to deal with an addict. Admitedly I work very very hard not to interact with addicts as much as I can. I remove myself as much as possible. At the same time they are everywhere and sometimes the right response is to pray for them. Needless to say I have never been at the point of praying for an addict before and that's a first for me.
That's real honest to goodness growth and program in the works, IMO. It truly feels so much better on so many levels, especially mentally and spritually.
WTG,
Christy
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If we think that miracles are normal, we will expect them. And expecting a miracle is the surest way to get one.
Aloha Maresie...Thanks much for that share on your growth. The program surely does work when you work it and the consequences are stunning. Keep coming back and adding additional prayers for the alcoholics and addicts you haven't met...yet. (((((hugs)))))
Wonderful share Maresie. When I could detach it liberated me to see and feel the sad impact of the disease on the alcoholic as well as myself. What we do next with that liberation is even more important.
I should add that I see very little of this former neighbor these days. I don't dread bumping into her. So the detachment for this is simpler. Nevertheless I had tremendous resentment towards her and now its gone.
