Courage to Change (Yesterdays Reading) - Al-Anon Family Group

John · ~*Service Worker*~

Courage to Change (Yesterdays Reading)

hotrod · ~*Service Worker*~

Thanks John

The reading from the Courage to Change.is inspiring. I too tried to fix and help the alcoholicsin my life by doing for them what they could do so for themselves. I also thought this was helping until my sponsor suggested that I" examine my motives". It was here that I discovered my true self and why I did what I did and said what I said. As the Courage to Change indicates, I was feeling anxiety and fear of the actions and behavior of the alcoholic and to alleviate that anxiety and fear I fixed others problems-- not too noble or compassionate.

Thank you Al-Anon and HP for giving me the tools to express my compassion, empathy and love in an appropriate manner. One of these ways was to attend Al-Anon meeting and learn to focus on myself.

Today's reading in the Courage to Change suggests that I remember to accept myself and my defects understanding than I am human and working a program to recover. It reminds me also that the members of the Alanon fellowship will love me until I learn to love myself.

What a gift this program is.

Thank you John MIP and what you do

-- Edited by hotrod on Sunday 19th of January 2014 09:55:01 AM

ryanhearted · Senior Member

Great point John! So glad I am here and getting the ESH from you all. It is hard to remember that I don't have it "right" yet. Nor may I ever. But I have learned that my way is not the right way at this point. So I am trying something different. Thank you.

Jerry F · ~*Service Worker*~

Thanks John...great memory...I also remember that changing it was exhilarating(?) and awesome because of what it did for me and for my alcoholic/addict. (((hugs))) smile

neshema2 · ~*Service Worker*~

I have this book....with my others, of course and I devour this one in particular b/c it is such an awesome book.....it was one of my first study books advised by my old, on line sponsor who was a male, LOL and one I loved dearly...he was of the old school and he was my 2nd, actually, sponsor after my first got married and left me, lol...anyway "R" taught me "old school" programme...he was a step a holic...big on literature and sharing my share on what i read....slogan maniac, he was, (smiling) 12 steps worksheets, and oh yea, i had to attend at LEAST 3-4 meets a week, but ya know what??? this book was his favorite, I could tell b/c he would have me read a portion and I had to write out a kinda step 4 share on it......

Courage to change to me was my beginning , that book is buried treasure.....thanks John for sharing it...I think of my "R" when i read it or see a share.....I had him for years, now he is nearly blind and cannot use his computer anymore...I call him from time to time to check up on him and he now is with alzheimers b/c his sister is with him, caring for him and even tho he remembers me, you can tell he is failing.....When I pull out courage to change and read and meditate on its wisdom, I think of my dear ole "R" who "raised me up right" in this program.....Your share made me think of him....I owe him so much...how do i pay him back??? by spreading the good news of the program by my example....

Melly1248 · ~*Service Worker*~

I found a Courage to Change facebook page just today, that posts the daily reading to my page every morning. Is this cheating?
lol

oldergal · Senior Member

Thank You John, love to hear from you on our board. Thank you for all you do and your expertise and wisdom..... og

Debilyn · ~*Service Worker*~

biggrin yes! biggrin hugs deb

Debilyn · ~*Service Worker*~

hugs John, hope all is well in your home!!

DavidG · ~*Service Worker*~

Hmmm. I used to say to myself: 'neither provoke nor avoid a crisis'.

Was never sure if it was kosher for Alanon until last year, when it was discussed here...

... is basically says the same thing in 'Courage To Change'.

Keeping the focus on myself: I heard long ago that 'it is a selfish programme'. I didn't go along with that. I still wanted to be caring and compassionate. So I went home from my meeting and decided: I don't want to be self-centred, but centered on self. For me this was the best prescription for detachment.

This bought me some challenges. My dad once said 'you don't care for me any more...' well I never ever stopped caring, but especially when family came along I had to make them my priority.

Thanks for the share aww

Da.

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.