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.
Tradition Five helps me to set three goals to work the steps for myself; to have compassion for alcoholics; and to have compassion for those who come to Alanon. What strikes me is the amount of love to be found in these three goals. First, I love myself enough to try to heal and grow by working the Twelve Steps. Next, I call upon this strength to love those people I once thought were my enemies, recognizing that they too were struggling to cope with this terrible disease. Finally, I draw upon these experiences and extend love to those who are following a similar jounrey--the families and friends of alcoholics.
I know that I was pulled from despair by the love of strangers who quickly became friends. Now i have enough love and wholeness within myself to share it with others who suffer from the effects of alcoholism.
Todays Reminder:
I needed love before I even knew what it was. Now that I understand something about it, I need it even more. By loving myself, I not only take care of my own needs, but I lay a foundation for loving others. By loving others, I learn to treat myself well.
"Each alanon fmaily group has but one purpose: to help families of alcoholics. We do this by practicing the Twelve Steps of AA ourselves, by encouraging and understanding our alcoholic relatives, and by welcoming and giving comfort to families of alcoholics. Tadition Five.
Shared this reading this morning because it stands out to me .. when i think of the love others feel in these rooms, it truly stems from the traditions of the program being worked .. alanon works if we work them .. for years, i've secretly (subconsciously) viewed the alcs many times as my enemies .. as in they willfully make the choice to live as they are .. because of this judgment i've been angry for years .. hence many times judging is the true nature of my wrongs .. lacking understanding .. never could see the disease .. theirs or mine until the last year or so of my work in the steps .. it never ceases to baffle me ..
helping others by practicing the 12 steps ourselves ? only just began to recognise this over the past few months .. not understanding what love was .. etc .. i tried to do this so long without really having a clue what it was i was trying to do .. my perception of love has changed through the years .. still have lot of work to do, but seeing everything i did pass forward perceiving to be love .. it was distorted so therefore seeing my own effects on others too .. it's good for me to see it .. it all begins with awareness and admittance .. now that i am only beginning to see what love is truly having been taught by others through the program, i'm seeing how very much it's needed .. i can't give it til i see it clearer and work the 12 steps Myself: understanding .. willingness to keep an open mind, listening .. not giving advice opions .. no judging .. unconditional acceptance, hope, etc .. etc .. these are all the things i would need to do in order to give encouragement to the alcoholic and addict ..
Glad to be able to share this morning .. i shared in a meeting one day the alc quits growing when they take their first drink .. how can they grow they aren't even looking in themselves anymore .. i quit growing when i obsessed on the alc .. seeing my own personal need now to focus on me more period .. hard for me ..
