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 page looks at an early tendency to think we are exceptions, that perhaps the steps don't apply to us. I'm not truly powerless, my life is not unmanageable, no need for me to return to sanity...right?
As we begin to understand the meaning of the steps and are able to be more honest, however, we see the unreasonableness of our own actions, the efforts to control...how fear, despair and resentment twisted our perceptions, thinking, and robbed us of our freedom to make good decisions.
Reminder: Each of the Steps challenges us to be completely honest in readiness to accept the help of our higher power to return us to sanity.
"The Twelve Steps will point a way to God and His infinite wisdom, by which I hope always to be guided". - unknown -------------------------- That I was acting irrationally never occurred to me before I found Alanon. I was convinced that the desperation I was feeling, the incredible fear that gripped me was a reasonable response to the actions of someone else...
Willingness got me to Alanon, the truths and insight I gained from working honestly through the steps kept me coming back.
The resistance has not disappeared, but by continually working honestly with the steps I have been able to return to sanity more quickly, realize that most likely it is within me that the problem lies.
Grateful for the wisdom of Alanon
__________________
Paul
"...when we try to control others, we lose the ability to manage our own lives." - Paths to Recovery
Thank you Paul for your service and share. I think desperation got me to alanon, but I too, was steeped in denial about my actions. I thought I would be able to fix my A if someone gave me the right formula. Living with a sometimes active and untreated alcoholic is no easy task, but ending the blame and working on a healthier path for myself is a blessing I have been given through this program.
