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.
Reading the stories helped me a lot with understanding my AH and the disease itself. I would definitely not want to be in his shoes. It helps me to remember how much of a struggle they have when I read those stories. Thank you for the reminder of the difficulty he has living with this disease. I needed that right now.
Hopes
I agree, reading the stories of alcoholics and their struggles, is a powerful tool in developing the acceptance that I needed so as to understand how truly powerless over alcoholism I was. Knowing this, I was also able to accept that this is indeed a dreadful disease that could be arrested but never cured and I was free to act in a more compassionate manner..
I really loved the reading in the ODAT today It talked about Courtesy and suggested that a new tone in the home could be set by simply practicing courtesy to each member even the littlest . It defined courtesy as treating everyone in the family with consistent, gentle kindness and respect. It suggested that by so doing I will not do anything to make a situation more difficult and that the atmosphere in the home lightens considerably. This is another benefit from knowing about this disease and being able to act in a constructive manner and not react to the disease.
Another benefit of the knowledge of the disease was that it enabled me to accept the principles of alanon and begin to keep the focus on myself and live one day at a time.
I think this kind of awareness has helped me not to feel like a victim or someone who is unworthy of love , respect, kindness. Knowing that this disease is in the driving seat lets me feel okay about myself, its not about me, none of it really. The part that is about me is the taking care of me and setting boundaries. Not letting the disease disrespect or mistreat me. This program is powerful stuff.x
Thanks for the talk about compassion. I've been to very few meetings on the subject because so many people would rather feel the victim and don't-or can't see their part in this horrible illness "Compassion is suffering with someone and not because of them"
One of the best thingsI heard at a meeting was "I don't let anyone push me around any more, but I don't blame them for trying. "
