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.
To me it is having a strong foundation of Al Anon tools that come up when I need them without trying anymore.
It's being in a situation with someone who is upset and again the Al Anon ways come out of my mouth.
It has put balance in my life, I don't feel unsure anymore about most things. It helped me grow in to the mature, but nutty, eccentric woman I am today!
hugs,debilyn
__________________
Putting HP first, always <(*@*)>
"It's not so much being loved for ourselves, but more for being loved in spite of ourselves."
For me, it means being present in the moment and living one day, one hour, one minute or even one second at a time. It means letting go of the past and not projecting into the future. These are tools I didn't have and didn't know how to use until Al-Anon.
Grounded to me means to be seated well. Flexible and sturdy at the same time. I am not sure about Grounded in teh AlAnon program as I see Al Anon as a part of the whole that grounds me. I take the thoughts and feeling of the program, the slogans, the essence behind the slogans, and integrate them to my thought processes.
Being grounded for me is not just the Al Anon program, it is that plus ACoA stuff, therapy stuff, Tai Chi stuff, Zen stuff, appreciating the Now.
Standing firm without rigidness.
Being grounded is paramount in any spiritual work.
Being grounded for me means know it is o.k. to say I am a beginner. When I was new it was hard it was to admit I was a newcomer, not having all the answers. I thought I was less than because I grew up feeling like I had to have the answer for me and for you. Face to face Alanon meetings was the only place I know where people are so happy that you are a newcomer and are learning the program. I think that was part of the reason (along with tremendous pain) is why I chose a sponsor taking the risk of working the steps with her. Many years later, we are still working the steps together, she is my soft place to fall.
As it was mentioned, Alanon is a "WE" program. I cannot do it alone by reading several books, answering questions, and trying to solve my troubles myself. Face to face meetings alone will provide temporary relief, but the working the steps with a face to face sponsor is where recovery is found. When I acknowledged my thinking is broken, got a sponsor, and became willing to do what she asked for me to do, that is when all of the promises of the program started to come true for me.
Alanon has given me discipline for it is a daily program of action. I work the steps, go to meetings, am actively sponsored, hold area and group service positions, and am fortunate to be a sponsor to several women in my group. Focusing on what I can give to the program rather than what I can get is where I find the center of my program.
To me being grounded is just really being ok where I'm had, my feet has roots in to the ground and I'm not all floaty. I know people talk about being grounded in alanon and I don't know that is where I am at when I talk about being grounded.
I'm using my mind (not asking for someone else's permission to do or say something), I'm not giving away my power, I know who i am (or at least I'm learning .. lol), my feet are firmly planted where they are at and I'm just really ok with where I am at in the moment.
I like the idea of being grounded in alanon though it's a good place to be, I'm just happy to be grounded and not doing my floaty thing.
Hugs P :)
__________________
Stepping onto a brand-new path is difficult, but not more difficult than remaining in a situation, which is not nurturing to the whole woman.- Maya Angelo
For me, being grounded means having clarity and serenity even during times of confusion, chaos, or simply when things aren't going in the direction I expected/wanted.
Great post!!! Being grounded to me means feeling well balanced and serene. Thinking before acting and accepting life as it comes, not as I would have it come. Even in an arguement with my exAH this weekend I feel I stayed grounded. I said what I mean without saying it mean and took some verbal hits and still used my Al-anon tools and walked away with my dignity of not hitting back below the belt or getting louder thinking it helped make my point. I am really loving that I know I will be tested and I just may make it through being happy about the outcome of how I handled it all. I am handing things over to my HP that I can't handle and taking care of what I can and life just keeps getting better doing just that. When I slip I get back onto my side of the street and back to meetings and calling my sponsor and working my recovery program. I have some serious control issues that I am letting go of and that helps a lot. Sending you all love and support on your journeys.
__________________
Sending you love and support on your journey always! BreakingFree
Al-Anon/Alateen Family Group Headquarters, Inc. 800-344-2666
" Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional."
"Serenity is when your body and mind are in the same place."