The December 31 reading in Hope for Today  reflects on the consistently repeated phrases heard in the Suggested Welcome and Closing at Al-Anon meetings.

• No situation is really hopeless, and we can find contentment and even happiness whether the alcoholic is still drinking or not
• We can put our problem in its true perspective, and it loses its power to dominate our thoughts and our lives
• Take what you like and leave the rest
• We already love you in a special way, even if you don't like all of us (or yourself)
• A loving interchange of help among members

Today's author found that these words and phrases, persistently repeated and heard, gradually came true.

Thought for the day: When I count my blessings, I remember to count Al-Anon's gift of hope.

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I remember noticing that Al-Anon meetings seemed to have a lot of repetition. Welcome script, Steps, one Tradition or all of them, Do's & Don'ts, Crosstalk reminder, Conference-Approved Literature reminder, Obstacles to Success, Newcomers welcome -- good grief, that's a lot of reading, same thing at every meeting. And announcements -- do I really care what was discussed at the District business meeting, or about some event happening in the future? At times I thought, why don't we skip all that and get straight to the sharing?  

Now I've come to acceptance and appreciation of those repeated readings.  I remember clearly when I first really heard some of those phrases and they sank in.  It wasn't at my first, second, or third meeting -- it took a while. 

I remember the times when consistency felt so good, in those times when my life was in chaos and I never knew what to expect when I came home or when I got up in the morning. There was comfort in something that was always the same. I could count on consistency in my Al-Anon meeting.

I can see how having members volunteer to read these selections gives people a chance to participate and be part of the group, even if they don't feel ready to give a personal share. 

I am grateful to whatever person or committee composed those words. How did they come up with something so good? 

Whatever the next year brings, I can feel confident that I will hear these same repeated words in meetings I attend.

Even the announcements -- they remind me that I am part of something bigger than me, I am not alone, and hundreds of people are voluntarily working on things that could support my recovery.  Now that's a miracle.

MIP has been part of my recovery.  I wish all my MIP friends a serene and joyful new year, one day at a time.