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.
Today's reminder -- The times I most want to hide out with my secrets are probably the times I most need to reach out and share them with others. When facing a difficult situation, let me remember that my Higher Power speaks through other people. I don't have to face it alone.
Today's quote -- from . . . In All Our Affairs -- "We move from being at the mercy of any problem that comes along to an inner certainty that no matter what happens in our lives, we will be able to face it, deal with it, and learn from it with the help of our Higher Power."
Today's reading discusses how alcoholism is similar to a tornado - we have to watch out for the tremendous winds as well as what is picked up and thrown our way. This disease can present a variety of problems - verbal, physical or sexual abuse, illness, debt, prison, infidelity and more. We often find some so embarrassing and don't want to talk about them, but Al-Anon teaches us that we are only as sick as our secrets. Until we let them out into the light, they keep us trapped.
No matter how hopeless, different, or ashamed we may feel, there are Al-Anon members who have been through similar crises and are willing to listen and help.
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For me, isolation was a huge part of my insanity and denial. I am a private person to begin with and wasn't sure I wanted to share my secrets with others. It took me a while to trust the program and the process and even a bit longer to trust others. I did not realize how trapped and stifled I was in my recovery until I unloaded my 'stuff' through step work. For me, harboring issues, secrets, resentments and the like keep me from the sunlight of the spirit - blocking my spiritual growth.
I'm grateful that Al-Anon gave me a safe place to heal/deal from the insanity I had/have from living with this disease. I'm grateful that I no longer have to keep inside all that festers and boils out negatively. I'm grateful for a Higher Power who guides me away from 'the insanity' of the disease towards a better way and I'm grateful for MIP.
We have cold weather again today - I plan to hibernate and make chili. Enjoy your day all - thanks for being a part of my journey.
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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
Good Morning IAH great reading today I love how alanon is a fellowship of equals. The feeling that I experienced upon entering the rooms remains to this day -- I was not alone and I was understood . What a great gift this program truly is!!!
Enjoy your chilli and Thanks for your service
this is such a good timed reading for me ... I relate to the embarrassment of sharing in meeting settings and letting the blocks to serenity go. Pretty hard to have serenity if i don't let go but learning alot about why letting go doesn't happen just like 'that .. thanks for sharing this.
I can also relate to the embarrassment. I don't like having officers show up to check on probationers etc. I am grateful we have very nice officers though. They are friendly and I lately, always find something light to discuss etc. As of now, one even wants pet geese like mine for guard dogs lol. I am learning to take the embarrassing moments to strike up a friendly conversation. I don't imagine their job is always easy. At all.
Yesterday was embarrassing driving my AF's friends car in to get the breathalyzer installed on it. The thing goes off every 15 minutes and I noticed how much my "worrying what others thought" kicked in on the way home. She was the one who had to breathe into it to keep the car going just for that day. It helped me get out of self and think of what she was going to have to endure over the next two years.
It really is amazing over the years how much shame can creep in during times the "officers arrive" followed by the "next day" emotions of it all. I was not the person who did the crime.....interesting. That shame is no longer there today. Embarrassment I can live with as long as I do the next right thing and don't let the negative junk grow like I used to.
Have a great day everyone! Cold and windy, fuzzy PJs for housework today lol
Hugs!
Thank you for your service, IAH, and all the ESH above. The issue with feeling "different" or "unique" speaks to me today, as I find I do feel that way with regularity, including at meetings... Funny how knowing about the not so unique tendency of Al-Anons to feel this way doesn't really help me! I'm not there yet. I hope its on the horizon though.
hehe Tude .. i have a relative who also has geese for guards .. well .. her family back 'home // would imagine they make pretty Good guards if they are anything like the 'one i came in contact with lol
