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.
I've been thinking about this a lot lately and someone shared something at the meeting today and what they said really hit me ..
"Pain is touchstone of spiritual and emotional growth."
Pain has hurled me forward and down the rabbit hole of growth even when I was kicking, screaming and clinging to the edge by my finger nails the whole way through. It wasn't until I got to the other side took a breath and said .. oh wow .. that wasn't as bad as I thought it was. Wouldn't want to go there again .. as far as the level of pain that first time around .. at least it motivated me to do something, .. anything .. different. As we all know .. nothing changes .. nothing changes and I can't live stagnate anymore.
What I have noticed is that the level of pain that is needed for me to start saying umm .. something needs to change (and of course that something is ME!!!) is much lower than what it was a year ago. I no longer need to be Nearly Headless Nick (Harry Potter fans out there) in order to go hmm .. something might not be ok and I may need to start doing things differently.
Anyway, great great meeting I am so grateful when open AA meetings are offered as another portal to my own healing. I go for very selfish reasons as to listen and see what kernels of knowledge I gain for myself. It's always such a great experience.
Thanks for letting me share, hugs P :)
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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
Great share my friend and I am so glad you are growing so much, I too have less of a pain threshold these days before I budge! Sending you love and support on your journey!
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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."
Oh, you have grown so much! I guess I should let go of the ledge on that rabbit hole and let myself slide more gently down the hole since hanging on by my fingernails sounds painful, LOL! I guess pain is inevitable to some degree but what we learn through the process is what's important. And, yes, pain has definitely been my motivator. I put off going to Al Anon for at least a year until it got so bad that I knew I needed help.
i agree I have to be in such enormous pain to be willing to make changes. Minor twinges don't do it. I have an extremely high tolerance for bad behavior and was a doormat most of my life.
