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.
The ODAT reading for today speaks about learning to accept" life on life's terms' . It points out that this simple statement opens many doors and helps us to stop trying to change people, places and things over which we have no control or power.
Acceptance is an interesting word I found it simply means I now understand that I cannot change the facts of the situation and therefore must deal with it as it is.. Most importantly I discovered that I did not have to like something to accept it as true..
The reading indicates that there will always be difficulties in life that we must face. Using program tools , and facing these difficulties as opportunities to grow, we can grow in wisdom and experience .
The Al-Anon tools that I find most helpful are: talking things over, reasoning things out , looking at my motives , acting not reacting and validating myself , so that I can learn the lessons within each difficulty and not repeat them. I have then gained wisdom and courage from the experience and that's all that was necessary.
The quote is; "let me never forget to be grateful for the good things in my life, and especially for the sobriety that will help restore our whole family to sanity and serenity
C2C reading for today talks about Al-Anon's suggestion that we make no major life changes until we are in program for at least six months. The main reason for this suggestion is that when we first enter the rooms of Al-Anon, we are filled with so much confusion, and anxiety that our ability to make wise choices has been compromised. Continuing to attend meetings and working the program we will soon find that , we are growing through the emotional support of members, who understand is so few others can.
We also learn to practice the new healthy constructive tools of the program such as:" keep the focus on ourselves, listen to the small voice within , talk things over and reason things out. These enabled me to be confident enough to make healthy decisions in my best interest and not one based on my pain.
Today's quote is; "guide me in all I do to remember that waiting is the answer to some of my prayers
Just thus once I am going to Post cause This is one if my lifelines. Thank you Betty for always being on top of things dedicated & a blessing to all of us!
I decided to visit my folks in Florida for a weeK. It was not an easy choice, as my dad has not ever been easy to spend time with and now he has dementia. However, I was nudged to go. I had an awareness that much of my energy has always been in bondage wanting him to be different than he is. The beginning of this week I made arrangements to fly down on wed with a changed perspective. So far, it has been a lovely trip and I am grateful.
Dear Paula I am glad that you listened to the small voice within and visited. Not having to like the situation but accepting it as a reality really helps
It is wonderful thatyour visit is working out and with your alanon tools it should continue that way .
I am sure the sun feels great. :)
Positive thoughts and prayers for you and your family on the way.
Thank you Betty for sharing and posting the topic today;) thanks pp and hootnanny for the shares as well. I so understand the bondage of wanting my mom to be different than she is. I've made some progress and set boundaries and try to have compassion that she is suffering with the disease. I still struggle here and there though with it...but progress not perfection. Courage to change...when I first came into the program I had a succession of sponsors, they all told me to throw the bum out. I wasn't able to make a decision so I waited, something told me to wait..intuition I guess although I wasn't in tune with my intuition at that time. I didn't realize that God would be able to communicate with me in so many ways. I learned from that experience and I never encourage others to make a decision regarding a relationship anymore. For one I don't live with them...I don't know what goes on behind closed doors and also I don't want to be responsible with others decisions. I'm busy enough with my own decisions. This readimg also makes me think about how much I used to look outside myself when making even simple decisions and how I would make quick decisons without praying and meditating. I learned in Alanon sometimes I need to give myself the gift of time and wait even a few months before making a decison.
Odat I love the reminder to be grateful. There is so much to be grateful for and today I am grateful that my partner is sober and our home is serene. I deserve a good life and there was a time when I didn't believe that. I also liked the part of the reading where it talks about life continuing to happen. I can accept life on life's terms even the struggles and use them as learning experiences or I can resist them. Resistance gets me into trouble every time. Some slogans come to mind let go m let God and then this too shall pass because the bad times and the good do pass like clouds passing. When I am able to find my calm center and live from there I am able to keep my serenity and inner peace. Thankyou for allowing me to share;) this board and the daily readings are a blessing;) thankyou
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I needed these behaviors in my past they helped me survive I'm finding new and better ways to not just survive but thrive
Betty, so timely that you post this particular subject. Was driving home from work today, repeating to myself that I must accept the things that I cannot change and place my fears and anxieties in the hands of my HP because only then will I have the peace and serenity that I so need!! Thank you.
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"Forgiveness doesn't excuse bad behavior, but it
does prevent bad behavior from destroying your heart". ~ unknown
