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.
C2C reading for today speaks about the Al-Anon fourth step, bookL":Blueprint for Progress."and explained the chapter which is entitled self-worth.
The meditation points out that we have probably always measured our self-worth and value by our accomplishment or what others have thought about us. With this need. We had to work all the time to make ourselves the center of attention, and thisr satisfaction was fleeting.
In the chapter entitled self-worth, the Blueprint for Progress points out that part of self-worth can be based on our ability to love other people. Saying a kind word ,writing a considerate note or taking out time to appreciate another person enriches our entire day. We have the power to feel good about ourselves.regardless of our achievement. whether or not other people validate our worthiness.
The quote for today is from Abraham Lincoln; "it is difficult to make a man miserable while the feast feels worthy of himself and claims kindred to the great God who made him".
This is a powerful concept and one that eluded me for many years. Before program I always thought my ability to show compassion, kindness, understanding to others was a defect and I learned in Al-Anon that it was because I made myself and my needs invisible in order to please others and take care of them My motives were to manipulate the situation and not out of genuine love.
. Al-Anon showed me the middle ground. I had to first, love myself, take care myself ,cherish myself and then share that with others. That worked to my advantage and to theirs and it was a win-win all around.
Thank you hotrod for this great reminder that loving others can increase self-worth. Appreciate your sharing that, as I am seeking the middle way in my own recovery and this was helpful.
