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.
This reading begins with a comparison between choosing to ignore certain traffic rules in order to make our journeys a little shorter; taking some shortcuts and not following the suggested Traditions, guidelines and policies of Alanon. I am thinking about shortcuts and how in terms of recovery they do not serve us well. I was at a face to face meeting regularly and a woman spoke about being patient with ourselves--that it took some time for us to get where we are and it would take some time to recover. There are no shortcuts in recovery!
Like many others, I came to Alanon thinking I would change the behavior of my A, or change my behavior enough that my A would change as well. I learned that the changes happen only within me.
I like the Thought For the Day which reminds us to ask what we can share from our experience, strength and hope to help other people. I know every time I am at a meeting, talk to my sponsor, or read posts here I learn something new from the ESH around me, so I can only hope that I might offer that help as well.
Dear Mary, thank you for sharing your thoughts on today's reading in the Hope for Today.
I was an expert in looking for shortcuts, and easier way to do a task. So when I entered Al-Anon. I too thought, I could run through the steps, not get a sponsor, give lip service to the slogans, and then go back and fix my spouse. How wrong I was! I found that this is a powerful program that, like life is a process.
I cannot skip ahead to having a spiritual awakening until I worked all the steps. I could not get the benefits of this program without a sponsor and most importantly, no matter how much I learned or did, I would never be able to have power over the recovery of another.
I needed to examine my motives and determine that I was coming to Al-Anon to gain health for myself.
Love how the reading gently reminds us that when we share at a meeting,that it is essential to remember that the message of Hope and growth that we convey is important to other members recovery. This is a "we" program and since we are a fellowship of equals ,there are no leaders or experts to teach us the program, each of us holds the responsibility to convey the message of recovery to each other.
I find that I am able to express patience toward other people, but not with myself. But, I honestly do not have realistic expectations for myself and what I ought to be able to accomplish in 24 hours, either, lol!
Working this program, I am sure, will help me become patient with myself, as well.
__________________
Skorpi
If you are depressed, you are living in the past. If you are anxious, you are living in the future. If you are at peace, you are living in the present. - Lao Tzu
How wrong I was! I found that this is a powerful program that, like life is a process.