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 C2C reading for October 30 speaks about practicing gratitude and each day looking for things to be grateful for.
The quote is from One Day at a Time: When things look blackest, it is within my power to brighten them with the light of understanding and gratitude."
I know when I first came into program I could not even say the word grateful . In my arrogance. I felt that I had worked hard for everything I had achieved and that I had nothing to be grateful for . Thanks first to sponsors and meetings, and Al-Anon members, I learned to let go my ego and become grateful for the fact that I was alive, had my health, a lovely apartment and a good job.
Some people say there grateful that alcoholism was in their lives because that was how they found Al-Anon and a Higher Power . It took me a few years to be able to feel grateful for the alcoholism in my life but I finally did reach that point that I understood that alcoholism brought me to the Al-Anon program and revealed a Higher Power to me and for that I'm eternally grateful.
Having an attitude of gratitude for even the smallest of things works.
Gratitude lists and asset lists are both my daily practice today. I do this because they reinforce all the goodness that I have been given in my life.
((((Betty)))) Thank you. I can feel HP speaking right to me. After really bad news, I went to a meeting and a share about gratitude really helped me feel a weight lifting. It reminded me why I will get through this (my gratitude list). To see the same message echoed in today's C2C is such a comfort and confirmation that I will get through this.
Good morning Betty & MIP Family! I can relate to the lack of gratitude when I arrived. I felt my life was a mess and placed blame beyond my own control and was angry all the time...
Recovery gave me a new set of frames to see my part, the see my attitude and to see how great this life truly is. Accepting life on life's terms, understanding the imperfect element to my existence and finding gratitude for what is vs. what isn't has been one of many blessings resulting from working this program and keep my focus directed on me.
Gratitude lists help me see in black and white how blessed I truly am. Gratitude lists propel me to another state of attitude with grace. Lastly, it is through the practice of gratitude and program work that I became able and willing to forgive all that held my heart hostage. I am so grateful I no longer live in a state of blame, shame and anger towards others who live a life different than I.
Happy Sunday to one and all - off to a meeting in a bit, then the CHIEFS play @ noon and we have softball tonight. I already have my chiefs shirt on - ready for some football! Our weather is a bit more fall like this morning so puts me into the football mood! Make it a great day!
__________________
Practice the PAUSE...Pause before judging. Pause before assuming. Pause before accusing. Pause whenever you are about to react harshly and you will avoid doing and saying things you will later regret. ~~~~ Lori Deschene
Thank you for your sharing this powerful page and your ESH, Betty. Great reminder of the power of gratitude and the availability of it if we look for it, even in the darkest times.
I remember hearing at one of my first meetings a member stating they were grateful for the alcoholic in their life. The statement struck me as incredibly powerful and evidence of spiritual strength.
It reminded me of a parable of a man struck in the cheek who calmly turns the other rather than retaliate in kind; composure, acceptance, and belief in something bigger than self. I wanted that, but was far from feeling it...
I, too, had to wait to feel the gratitude for the lessons I learned from alcohol, but my gratitude has only grown as the lessons I continue to learn and grow from guide me to more healthy thoughts and behavior.
Trying to control alcohol in another was what allowed me to recognize my powerlessness, the first of a long list of things that only grows. If not for this lesson, I might still be out there, believing I could and should control others, that I actually knew what 'should' happen and how.
Truly humbling is this journey, full of discovery and rich with opportunities for gratitude
__________________
Paul
"...when we try to control others, we lose the ability to manage our own lives." - Paths to Recovery
Thank you for today's reading. This one really is very important to me because gratitude is how I tip-toed into the program.
Faced with steps, slogans and trying to grasp what Alanon was all about, I started with gratitude lists. I had to start with something that I could understand......and that was my launch.
Every night I make a mental list of what I am grateful for that day. I even list the maddening, "hard to be grateful for" stuff because there is a lesson there for me.
During the day, I try to pause and be grateful for many things along the way. It centers me and brings me back to reality, if I am having a rough time with something or am caught up in some daydream of how I think/wish it could be.
I don't know if I am quite there yet.....being grateful for the alcoholics in my life.....but I'm moving toward it, because Alanon is making such a positive impact in all areas of my life!
