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.
Home movies: The writer for today says you can view your life situation with major importance, like a technicolor movie , with your name up in lights. Or you can see yourself in your home movies, like many others, which makes your movie important, but not an extravaganza. The writer remarks they replaced melodrama with realism.
Today's Reminder: Alanon has given me an opportunity to share my home movies with others. My situation is neither the best nor the worst. Although I am unique in some ways, I am more like others than I ever suspected. I will appreciate this sense of fellowship today.
Quote from suggested Alanon/alateen welcome: as we learn to place our problem in its true perspective, we find it loses its power to dominate our thoughts and our lives.
I find this reading very interesting because I certainly had my shame and low self-esteem from my FOO. I learned over time that many people had it better than myself, but there were also those who have had it so much worse. "I will appreciate this sense of fellowship today." We have all suffered, and yet if we look we can find beauty, assets, and gratitude. Alanon has given me a new perspective on my home movie, Lyne
The fellowship aspect of alanon is so very important in my opinion. In my experience, it is the fellowship, from day one, moment one, that allows a newcomer/beginner to really have the best chance of seeing, feeling, etc., the experience, the strength, and most of all the hope, that exists inside the rooms of alanon. Seeing and knowing others have been where you've been, have felt what you are feeling, and have faced what you are facing...and that they got through it...can be a life-saver!!!
Thank you Lynne.
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Bo
Keep coming back...
God, grant me the serenity...to accept the PEOPLE I cannot change...the courage to change the ONE I can...and the wisdom to know it's ME...
Powerful reminder Lyne. Thank you for posting. Until Alanon I never felt safe sharing my feelings with another as I lived in denial and pretend most of my life. Learning to be Honest, Open and Willing was a true gift of this program and I am ever so grateful. Thanks for your service
Thank you Lyne for your service, and to all those who shared above.
I loved the fellowship for the sheer fact that I had people who knew exactly what I was going through, and most of all believed me!
It is a cool, very foggy morning.... I opened all the windows and am welcoming the respite from all the heat - I am ready to retire my AC!
Wishing you all Peace this week!
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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
Thank you Lyne for your service and the daily! I always felt less than or greater than in most settings before recovery. I tended to feel inferior around those who gave the appearance of the 'perfect life' and often gravitated towards those with less than me for kinship to feed my ego.
When I came to recovery, and others shared honestly and openly with me about what it was like, what happened and what it is like now without throwing shame and blame at their A(s), I was intrigued. Over time, I have found safety and comfort in the rooms, with like-minded persons who want to get better and keep the focus on self and recovery. I believe it's that element of recovery, fellowship and personalized recovery, that keep me coming back.
What I have come to accept is we all have crosses to bear and supporting each other instead of comparing helps me stay serene. I know if my family is in crisis today, I can share and get support without advice and judgement. In return, if another has a family crisis I too can over to be of service without advice or judgement. I am grateful for a higher power that has led me to the ultimate purpose for me - staying sane, serene, sober and to be of service.
Golfed this morning, gardening this afternoon and off for Tacos this evening. Hope all are having a great day - we have absolutely lovely weather this week - not too hot and not too cool! Make it count everyone!!
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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
I like the movie analogy. I've often heard a circus being used, as it relates to the drama, chaos, turmoil, and havoc; and I've also heard of a Broadway show analogy.
But I like and can relate to the reading very much. Thank you again for posting it.
__________________
Bo
Keep coming back...
God, grant me the serenity...to accept the PEOPLE I cannot change...the courage to change the ONE I can...and the wisdom to know it's ME...
When I do my tapping and deep breathing, I view an event that I am remembering and feeling the feelings for or trying to get in touch with my feelings, I watch the event as a bystander, someone who is just observing this poor little child, and I do my tapping, and deep breathing and I watch this and I actually can feel compassion for myself now. And yes, sharing these HomeMovies with others, safe others, I can notice that yes, I had it Horrible, but there are people who had it even worse than me.
And when I look at my video from a bystanders standpoint, I can see the reality how powerless I really was and how innocent I really was and I can feel the compassion for myself that I never could before. And I can share that compassion with my recovery mates. Knowing I am not alone, knowing that there are people who can relate to me is paramount to my recovery. And I like to call it caring and sharing
