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.
In today's reading in Courage to Change, the author shares their perspective on the slogan "Let go and let God".
The author reflects on the pain and exhaustion they cause them selves by holding only something too tightly. On the other hand, by letting go and trusting in their HP, they are free to engage in healthy, loving, enjoyable activities. The author shares that, when they are complaining about their suffering, they examine themself for the pain they are causing by not letting go.
Today's Reminder: How much can God give me if I am not open to receive? When I hold onto a problem, a fear, a resentment, I shut myself off to the help that is available to me. I will loosen my grip on something today. I will let go and let god.
Today's Quote: "All I had to so was become the least bit willing to open my clenched fist a tiny, grudging bit and miracles happened. That's God as I understand Him today." As We Understood...
I discovered a talent I had for holding on to pain. I could hold on to the pain of childhood bullying, the pain of losing loved ones, the pain and resentment of not having my life go the way I had planned, and the pain and resentment of not getting out of my marriage what I wanted and thought I needed. Holding on to the pain kept me stagnant, and unable to make any kind of progress or see other opportunities that my HP had for me. When I remembered to let go of the pain, just a little bit, and let go of the resentment, just a little bit, I saw beautiful opportunities unfold for me in my life. My life isn't want I planned or could have predicted, but it is good, I have a fantastic job (that I didn't expect), wonderful friends in and out of the AlAnon Program (who I didn't expect to connect with), and great opportunities for personal growth. As I learn to let go a little more, I see improvements in my life, because I can deal with and take advantage of what is, instead of living with the pain of wanting what is not.
I love spring! This morning, I started to see little shoots coming up out of my garden planters, a true affirmation of renewal and growth, and warmer days to come. I hope you make today a great day!
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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
Thank you for your service and ESH. I too was a master at obsessing over past issues that kept me in misery-guilt, regret, beating myself up in essence. I have come to respect the slogans and Let go and Let God is a wonderful example of how program works and how I can help myself. I can help myself if I use the tools of this program. What a concept !
Spring is arriving in my neighborhood too. My daffodils are not open but up through the dirt. I'm seeing more and more robins. I find it fascinating and exciting. Wishing everyone a great day, Lyne
Good morning MIP! Thanks Skorpi for your service and the daily. Thanks to both for your ESH. We've got some 'stuff' coming up from the ground - no color yet....I love spring with the 'renewal' of all things that go dormant in the winter...
I was a 'score-keeper' always. I held onto all things 'done to me' and used them to defend my behaviors, reactions, attitudes and opinions. I am grateful that working the program, especially the steps gave me freedom from the bondage of 'self'. Life for me is so much easier when I can use our tools and recall quickly that someone else is in charge and I am not!
Let Go and Let God enters my mind daily....as do many other slogans. I recall vividly in my beginnings of recovery that I found the slogans silly or NA for me. I was wrong, that was my ego still wanting to control others and outcomes. Today, it helps tremendously for me to practice a pause long enough to recall I am on a different path and it's serving me quite well!
Happy hump day all - busy day + little people this evening + softball games late! (((Hugs)))
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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
Thankful for your service, Skorpi. I have found letting go hard for me... but then I find that I am not alone here! LOL! I work on letting go every day... sometimes with my teenaged son who is about to graduate, it is VERY hard! But our relationship is so much better since I have been strongly applying Al-Anon principles to my life. This one in particular helps that relationship a ton!
Here in SoCal, it seems like it's been a perpetual spring... all the plants are all mixed up! Saw a bird at my feeder yesterday I had never, ever seen before!! Such a small thing makes me so happy! Enjoy 'Hump Day' everyone!
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"The wolf that thrives, is the one you feed." - Cherokee legend
"Hello, sun in my face. Hello you who made the morning and spread it over the fields... Watch, now, how I start the day in happiness, in kindness." Mary Oliver
