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 reading from C2C is about spiritual freedom. The author shares that they received spiritual freedom through Al-Anon because the program encourages us each to find a personal understanding of a Higher power, and to allow others to do the same.
A personal understanding of HP and a meaningful relationship with the HP of our understanding enables many of us to truly turn our lives over to a Higher Power. The author shares as well that their understanding of their HP changes and grows as they themselves change and grow. Their HP has become as alive as they are. With a grounding in faith, the author has found that they are able to hold tight to their courage and meet the future with confidence.
Today's Reminder: Once upon a time I was afraid to live life for myself. This was because I did not know how to do it and thought that there was no one to show me. Now I have a resource deep within me to guide me along lifes many roads. I am not alone on my journey.
Today's Quote: In the midst of winter, I finally learned that there was in me an invincible summer. Albert Camus
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One of the most appealing parts of Al-Anon to me initially was that there was not a spiritual dogma or a set of spiritual values that everyone was expected to adopt. I appreciated the freedom to define my Higher Power for myself, although there are some readings with more overt religious tones particular to a certain religious tradition that I tend to struggle with. Still, the program creates the space for me to take what I like and leave the rest, and the freedom to define my higher power for myself. I find this makes Al-Anon especially effective - members don't need to be burdened by the dogma or by trying to come to a unified understanding of their Higher Power - everyone has the freedom to define their HP for themselves, and the tradition of staying out of the relationship other members develop with their HP.
In the midst of quarantine, I've managed to develop a cold, so I'm looking forward to a day of hot tea and an early night.
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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
Skorpi, thanks for your service and share, and may you feel relief from your cold quickly.
I came to alanon having had a spiritual experience about 30 yrs ago. Although Ive had no formal religious training, I do have a strong belief in some of the Christian teachings. But Ive seen many people struggling with how to connect with an HP, both in my F2F meeting and in general in life. My view of the freedom we are given here in program, to find an HP of our understanding, is magnificent. Because I feel that alanon in general is one of my HPs. I also see the ocean as being a force in nature that touches me each time I am lucky enough to to stand in front of it. So I think we all can find a fit that works for us in the HP dept. :)
Happy hump day MIP family! Thank you Skorpi for your service and the daily. Thanks to all for your ESH & shares. I grew up with organized religion including 12 years of private schooling. I found it all a bit extreme, and never really felt like I fit in or benefited from 'that'...I stepped away as fast as I possibly could for a variety of reasons, mostly what I viewed to be extreme hypocrisy. It was very confusing to be a teenager with a fake ID, be hit on in bars by older men, then see them in mass the next morning!! Just one aspect that sent me packing.
When I first arrived at recovery, I literally shuddered at the word God in the steps. I immediately wanted to run as I had no interest in another organized attempt to sway me towards beliefs I had no interest in. I'm very, very grateful that those in my first step suggested recovery is spiritual, not religious and that I get to determine my own path towards ANY POWER greater than self. I was still extremely skeptical but did not turn tail and run.
My concept of my HP has evolved greatly in recovery. I began with the simple concept of 'Good Orderly Direction' as that helped my mind not relate this program to my youth. As I matured and became less insane, I found gratitude in the foundation of faith of my youth. I no longer shudder at the word God, I actually feel extreme peace within and around me and am grateful for that too.
There are many, many things today that give me that feeling of extreme peace within - nature, miracles, service, etc. - depends on the day and my spiritual fitness. What I know now that I didn't know for a long, long while is that my creator loves and accepts me unconditionally. My creator does not punish me for being human and good/bad happen to all of us. Embracing this program as best I can exactly as it's suggested has given me spiritual freedom to just be me.
Enjoy your day all - off to golf again today and then typical winter weather returns. Choose Joy, just for today!
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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
Thank you Skorpi and to all those who shared and will share.
IMHO, I don't think this reading could be said enough! Because as a newbie, I really struggled with some of the more pointed religious overtones. There were meetings that I just couldn't keep attending. I was raised in a Catholic household/faith and once I was finished with Catechism late in high school, I began to rebel against that religion. My adult years weren't devoid of Faith, just a strong dislike of organized religion. So much hypocrisy... but I digress. I thought I had a good relationship with God, but the unraveling of my life (years after the realization of drug use & subsequent rehab in my spouse) due to addiction to alcohol by same spouse just broke me. I harbored such hatred for God. My faith was broken. I was broken.
I am so thankful that this program allows for freedom of faith! Without that, I think I would've turned away long ago. Me working this program was rocky at first, b/c I didn't know how to navigate without some sort of faith. But my sponsor helped me to act "As If." This helped me get past my religious roadblock. Today, although it may look different than in my younger years, I have my spiritualism back.
Somehow, it works if we are willing to "work it!"
Another Hump Day... I am really looking forward to the weekend... not sure why, no special plans. LOL!
&
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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 Skorpi.
Today I woke up unsettled. I woke from a dream of the very chaos Ive climbed out of. I began reading the headlines and realize my detachment needs attention. Im experiencing a lack of security on a grand scale. This reading reminds me I am not alone and dont have to figure it all out or fix it. HP is on it. This is security. I need to focus on me using the tools I have. Today is the say to turn the big stuff over.
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Skorpi... and y'all...
...
Thanks...