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.
This is the slogan that has protected my mind, body, spirit and emotions and was passed on to me right after my very first AGF meeting. It has caused me to understand Step One and in response have a much different life than when I started recovery around 2/8/79 and get totally involved on many levels including services.
When I started recovery I learned that I didn't know and didn't know that I didn't what alcoholism was not even how to say it or spell it and such. The word we used in my families was "drunk" and then that was disrespectful and dangerous as a young person to say...punishment was severe from the alcoholic and the parent enablers which aided the form of dangerous personality I carried up to, thru and including program until I could learn and follow the suggestions I work now including going to college, finding and using counselors and program sponsors and practice, practice, practice.
Inventory and doing enabling practice keeps me in front of me with a desire to keep working it, the program. The resulting freedom from living with our deadly disease is more than worth it.
I stay with and rely on my real Higher Power 24/7. I make myself available to His needs continually.
To say I am deeply grateful to MIP and this family would be a reminder of how I got here and need to stay.
Thank you Jerry for your share and I'm grateful that you keep coming back as your spirit and example of recovery often shows me what to do (vs. what my first thought is). The journey has been painful yet blessed, humbling, exciting and peaceful all at the same time. It's my plan, just for today, to keep coming back. I try to stay out of tomorrow - it's not where my peace is.
(((Hugs))) and much love brother...
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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