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 don't know about you, but I get tired of listening to health experts, behavior experts, drug companies and the like as they broadcast through the media and at private parties the way each of us can improve ourselves. Of course, there are always ads for gyms, exercise equipment, fat burners, rehabs, guru workshops, what drugs to tell your doctor you want through the media and unsolicited suggestions from people at private parties who believe you could benefit from whatever program they are involved in at the time.
One of the things I like about this program is that we begin to learn just how spirit draining it is to others for us to suggest to them what we think would benefit them - when they haven't asked for any input from us at all and need some work themselves. The other thing I like about this program is that all desired changes we learn begin with us.
I am tired, too. I will say quietly to myself, "shut the hell up, please". I know that "know it all person" very well I love that I can comfortably say "I don't know".
One of the things I like about this program is that we begin to learn just how spirit draining it is to others for us to suggest to them what we think would benefit them - when they haven't asked for any input from us at all and need some work themselves. The other thing I like about this program is that all desired changes we learn begin with us.
Refreshing.
Yep...agree....i wouldn't mind some of the other suggestions if they weren't money driven or on the private level, control oriented......if i want help, I will ask....i will say it in some way, reach out for it.....post a post that obviously is looking for feedback, etc.......that is why i tell most of my stuff to sponsor/BFF and here with you all, or in meeting......i know that lots of people mean well, but i also know that lots don't......program has taught me discernment too.....
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Live and let live and do it with peace and goodwill to all!!!!
I love this about al-anon too! That it works from the assumption that I have the answers inside me and so do you....so empowering.
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If I had a world of my own, everything would be nonsense. Nothing would be what it is, because everything would be what it isn't. And contrary wise, what is, it wouldn't be. And what it wouldn't be, it would. You see? (Lewis Caroll)
I couldn't agree more- it seems like we're living in an "expert era" where "experts" don't know what they don't know. Do this then do that, one imbalance of a healthy lifestyle traded for another imbalance, and no shortage of advice on what will create your new perfect balance next. It's very confusing. It's very noisy. And, it doesn't live up to the claims, but drives an unhealthy process. In addition to what everyone has already mentioned, I also love that it's ok for me to say, "this or that isn't right for me" and without having to justify myself.
I'm standing right alongside you on this one Grateful!
When I say 'I don't know' it opens the gates to learning something.
As for advertisers and news services feeding our fears to fuel their bank balances - don't get me started on that!!!! It is my quiet revolution - I don't think that my ancestors honed and passed on their grey cells to have me look for happiness in another handbag.
-- Edited by milkwood on Wednesday 24th of December 2014 04:54:54 AM
I hear you Catherine! I have noticed that I can't stand situation comedies that use manipulation as their main comedic tactic anymore.
And I went to volunteer at a charity near us, and their were 18 year old kids there trying to proselytize for their religion. I have no problem with evangelism, but they were trying to get me to talk about their religion by manipulating me into it, I couldn't stand it and cut them off.
The gift of being able to see manipulation and not put up with it, whether in others or in me, is one of the gifts I have taken from this program.
To know that we are good enough and everybody else is, too, for me is blessed relief and peace. To look for those things we can praise rather than those things that bring us or another down raises my gratitude level to seeing life as a celebration rather than a funeral dirge. Give me laughter. Give me joy. Give me peace. And............leave me alone about what I can do to improve my looks, my bank account, my children, my children's children, the neighbors or my sex appeal. I'm gonna keep my yellowed teeth, my bulges, my scars, my modest home and modest car, my friends and family as they are and I am going to celebrate my existence and all the peace and beauty that is there if I want to see it. You are all such beautiful people and I'm so very grateful to you all for being exactly who you are and what you give. Merry Christmas, everybody, who celebrates it. Much love to all of you who might not.
I love that I can comfortably say "I don't know".