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.
Step 10. Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.
Went to a f2f meeting this weekend and I was introduced to step 10. Who knew this was the message I needed to hear. I've been reacting to (exploding at) other people's negativity in general or personal criticism directed at me for awhile now. I didn't realize I was trying to prove myself so fiercely to others, and that I didn't have to defend myself to others every single time someone else is having a bad day.
I was so distressed about that photo album thing so I called my mother to get some insight, vent, and see my part in things. I told her I had appologized but I was stressed because I didn't know how things would turn out and actually assumed the worst. And she said that is between you and God. I don't know why that just hit home for me right at that moment. That comment just woke me and calmed me right down. I don't have to keep at people to get a response or confirmation that we are o.k. with one another. Who knew that?...I didn't. I can only do my part and Let Go And Let God. How often I have heard that and didn't fully get the meaning...until now.
A friend let me borrow Paths to Recovery and the Step Four Inventory Bluepint for Progress. I didn't understand how I was supposed to work the program until she gave me these 2 books to begin the process. I had just been sporadically reading Hope for Today and coming to this site hoping that would be enough. Guess what you have to do the work and use the tools. I have heard that one before but this time I understand where to begin. It's funny how we get in our own way of recovery.