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 5 expresses we have but one purpose in al-anon, helping friends and families effected by alcoholism. God put us here to serve and love each other, however our own recovery programs have to come first, before we can serve others. You can not give away what you do not have, so putting on your own oxygen mask is the best decision to make, then you can help others to put on their own, thus helping more people, because you are able to breathe also. Al-anon is about paying it forward with your time and energy, we however can't be all things to all people and need to practice self care.
It is important to stay focused on your very own personal recovery by loving yourself to heal the past hurts and by working the steps with a sponsor when ready. When I accept myself, human faults and all I am better able to accept and love other humans fully. I express God's love through my service which helps me to work my own program. We all have limitations, but given the opportunity, desire, ability and time we can do whatever God has assigned us, if we are working a strong personal recovery program within ourselves. If we lose sight of tradition 5 we need to humbly accept once again our human limitations. It is about progress not perfection.
Thought for the Day: Deciphering whether we are acting on our own or as an al-anoner is a very important part of working this recovery program. The quote states if we were to individualize our purpose it would dilute our program thus separating us from relating to each other for the greater good of our program and thus we would suffer.
As I summarized the reading for today I am reminded to keep my ego in check as to be able to work my program to the best of my ability and not to water it down for others. I can relate to all others who have been greatly effected by alcoholism as I have and I do not need to look for the differences, they only separate us. A lot of our stories whether Mother, brother, Father, sister, grandparents, cousins, Aunts or Uncles all have the same heart wrenching likeness and hurts to relate to each other. The anguish and dysfunctions that come with growing up with or being married to an alcoholic takes a toll on us all. I love coming here to give and receive from MIP and I can relate to almost everyone and want to serve others to wipe away the dysfunctions of old and to move into using the al-anon tools while living the life we dare to break out into moving forward with an al-anon tool belt prepared to function from a healthier more positive place. I am glad I am here with you all. BF
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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."
Dear BF, thank you for sharing your thoughts on H FT as well as the essence of the reading.
I love the Traditions as they outline how we can meet together, connect with each other and still maintain our individuality and sanity.
As you pointed out in this reading, Tradition Five identifies the entire purpose of Al-Anon. To help families of alcoholics. It then goes on to explain how we do this. I find it interesting that the traditions clearly identifies that the most important first action we must take is to practice the 12 steps of AA ourselves, then after we have done this and found some degree of recovery in ourselves ,we are then able to understand the alcoholic and welcome and give comfort to families.
I love how you pointed out the fact that we've all been affected by this dreadful disease and to look for similarity and not the differences and I was reminded of the slogan identify and don't compare
So good to read this this morning, thank you BF. I benefit so much from the support of al-anon and it helps to remember that working the program helps me get out of myself. I am in a funk despite being in this program almost 2 years now. I have an AH who is celebrating 1 year of sobriety, but I am in a deep funk. And I know I need to work on me, and connect with others who have been affected so deeply by this disease. I forget about the traditions and how much support can come from them. Thank you for reminding me I am not alone, but I have the power to help myself with my work in this program. You gave me hope. :)
(((((((((((BF)))))))))) thanks, lady....I got my Hope for today book today, but since you posted today, I want to say "thank you" b/c i am soo tired today, LOL....gonna hit the bed early......
nice share......hugs and more hugs
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Live and let live and do it with peace and goodwill to all!!!!
