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 ODAT reading for April 10 speaks about our attitudes and suggests new tools to help us grow.
The reading asks the question, what am I really looking for in life? Is it interesting activities,? to meet my obligations to family or do I want to make myself into the kind of person I will enjoy being with?
It is important to realize that we may not reach all of these goals but that watching ourselves grow little by little, is a great gift of the program.
The reading goes on to point out that the another way is to use a searching inventory and to examine our motives. This process will help us to realize the kind of person we are and give us some constructive ideas on what we need to change.. It is important to understand that it is difficult to be honest with ourselves looking objectively at our actions,might cause us to be dishonest about our motives. The steps and slogans are the tools,that have given me a glimpse of the person I could be.
I know that prior to program I did not have the courage to be honest regarding my thoughts and actions-- Learning to honestly examine my motives was a real eye opener. In the beginning I could only look at my motives in retrospect, however I learned to practice waiting and not reacting, so that it became easier and easier to ask myself about my motives in each situation.
Good morning, MIP! Betty, thank you for your service.
examining my motives while working the steps was really eye opening for me. I wanted my life to be a certain way, and was trying to control others in order to make that happen. I had to let go of the image I had for my life in order to see how my life could be better and how I could be the kind of person I wanted to be around.
I'm thankful to AlAnon for providing the tools I need to become the best version of myself and to HP for providing me the opportunities to practice using them.
It's been a chilly start to April but I think most of the latest batch of snow is gone now. Hoping for some warmer temperatures later this week!
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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
Good morning skorpi and Betty - thanks for your ESH and shares. Thank you also Betty for your service - your head friend makes me smile each time I see your avatar now!!! So love it!
Today's reading is powerful and touches for me what it's truly all about. The more I know me and change me, the more I 'see' and 'feel' truly blessed by this program of recovery. I too wanted my life, my family, my future, my...my....my ____________ a certain way. My ego and my selfish thinking blocked me from the sunlight of the spirit that exists all around me and within me.
Working the steps, looking at my motives and humbling myself enough to separate my needs from my wants leads me to the priceless gift of serenity. In my program, none of this is possible unless I believe in a power greater than myself that can restore me to sanity. Nothing happens by mistake in my life today, and I too am grateful for an opportunity to grow and become a better person each day.
It's been cold/cool here too skorpi. I believe we will finally turn the corner today for a few days! I'm really excited for the sunshine and warmer weather....feels like it's been a long time coming. Make it a great day all!
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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
