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 reading for Monday, 2/15, talks about working the program and how one actually can accomplish this:
-going to meetings and learning about alcoholism
-reading the literature and listening
-being around people who speak the alanon language
-being patient and putting in effort
Eventually program will sink in and become second nature. The reminder says we need to make a commitment and practice, practice, practice.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Its interesting to me to see this in writing. Had I been given this list at my first F2F, it would have made NO sense. What language, what will I be practicing, cant I have answers now????
Living with an alcoholic is a challenge every day. Im presented with the opportunities to practice. I have the choice to sink or swim. I choose sanity over chaos. I welcome peace. All the meetings, all the steps and slogans, and all the people in meetings and on this board, show me the way, ODAT. There wont ever be perfection, but I do have hope and healing. Thank you!
Thank you to all who have shared and added to my personal growth!
Let's start off the week in peace, gratitude and patience!
&
__________________
"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. Thanks to all of you for your ESH & shares. I am reminded that this program does work when we work it. We are not promised any change in anyone other than ourselves and that message was so disappointing to me when I arrived. I had a mindset that if only others would ................. then I would ............(be happy, have peace, etc.)
It was a slow process for me to let go of old habits and practice suggested ones. I am so grateful for all who kept showing up and listening and sharing. It is the program as designed (not my way) that has helped me grow and change and heal. I am reminded of the line from the other side of the house, in Chapter 5, How it Works: "Rarely have we seen a person fail who has thoroughly followed our path." Such a simple sentence yet so, so profound.
Often, if I am discontent and can honestly assess what's going on, I have skipped, stopped or diminished my program efforts in some way. It is through one day at a time practice of this program and the tools that I now know I do best when I make practicing this program a priority each day. When I allow 'life' to take priority or another person, it doesn't take long for me to feel some of that negative energy that fueled me (poorly) before recovery.
I so prefer the serenity, sanity and peace this program promises and am willing today to make that a priority. I have more realistic expectations of life, people, etc. so am rarely disappointed. I know that it's OK to feel what I feel and to trust in faith, a HP and better days. I feel blessed most of the time, in spite of the reality that this disease remains 'alive and well' all around me.
Happy Monday all - it's -4 degrees herw with a feels like of -22 degrees - frozen tundra yet again! Stay warm, stay safe and make it a great day! That's my plan!!
__________________
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 for the warm welcome and the service, ESH on this board.
I appreciate the emphasis on progress not perfection plus hanging with program people.
The other day I started my day with prayer, meditation and floating on a serenity cloud. I went shopping and without warning, dressed down the cashier for making a mistake. On my way home, I was snarky to a panhandler.
Before I got home, I thought yikes, was it necessary to be so mean to that young lady and mean-spirited to a person in need?
So much for practicing these principles in all of my affairs.
I will apologize to the young woman next shopping day and remember how fortunate I am that I have been graced with a home and steady income.
Funny how I snap at strangers but lack the gumption to be assertive at home.
I can't wait for f2f meetings to resume so I can get a sponsor.
Stay safe and my fave "stay positive and test negative "
Honestly,I am afraid to not do my best to work this program every single day now. I am so afraid of going back to my old ways.
This evening I felt disrespected by AH. I let him know that what he said was disrespectful. Out of self respect no way was I going to continue the conversation and I walked away from him. Wow,was that really me that did that? I'm amazed at myself. No way could I have done that even just a few weeks ago. It was such a disrespectful thing that I probably would have thrown something at him,tbh.
I know I'm probably not working the program in the way others have or do. I'm just coming here,reading the literature and trying to work the steps on my own for right now. And practicing what I'm learning. but it is making a difference for me. And that's what matters most.
& 