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.
In today's reading, the author shares some reflections on the 12th Step: Having had a Spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to others, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.
The author shares that they found real promise and hope in the 12th step. Like many of us, they came to Al-Anon to find out how to stop someone else from drinking. The 12th step gave the author the encouragement they needed to start at the beginning, to work the program and the steps slowly, at times painfully, but with hope.
Today's Reminder: The Steps offer me a road map for living that leads to a spiritual awakening and beyond. I can't skip ahead to the end of the journey - which can at times be a hard one - but I can put one foot in front of the other and follow the directions I've been given, knowing that others who have gone before me have receives more along the way than they had ever dreamed.
Today's Quote: "The first time I ever heard the 12 Steps read at a meeting, I became very still. I felt I was not breathing...I was just listening with my whole being ... I knew deep within me that I was home." - As We Understood ...
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The part of step 12 that stuck out to me most was "practicing these principles in all our affairs" Years of life with an active alcoholic had pulled me away from a way of being that I previously enjoyed. The disease of alcoholism had seeped into every aspect of my life, and I was excited to hear that Al-Anon could work on every aspect of my life, not just in my interactions with the alcoholic. After a few years in the program, it is my Al-Anon tools that I use most often, and my Al-Anon tools that I utilize most in my job, not because of the work environment, but because of the kid of work I do. Living my life, also at work, with the help of the program allows me to bring the message of Al-Anon, or at least a handy slogan or two - to others who might be in need without evangelizing the program.
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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
Good morning, Skorpi, and thank you for your service and this share. I love Step 12 -- and I know I have had a spiritual awakening. It was not a flash of light, just a quiet warm feeling growing gradually in the knowledge that I did not have to struggle against things that I was powerless to control.
Practicing but not evangelizing -- I love this concept, too. I am working on myself at the moment, regarding a good friend that I met in Al-Anon, who no longer goes to meetings although she is still in a relationship with an alcoholic. Part of me wants to say, "Go to meetings! Get a sponsor! Work the steps! You are going to need this if you stay in this relationship!" -- but of course I do not do that, and I am working on myself not to think it. All I can do is practice my program, and I am grateful that my friend is interested in hearing some of my 12 Step experience, so that is my way of carrying the message.
Thanks Skorpi for your service and for all the above ESH. Once I committed myself to alanon, I had a gut feeling to work the steps with a sponsor. I just knew this was something I needed and wanted to do. The first round as a newbie was painful and difficult. The second round, the year before Betty died, was such a different growing and appreciative experience. I love the steps, all of them, and in the future I will do them again. It helps to see my growth and know what I still need to learn. The steps=skills for living. Grateful member.
I'm late - yet thank you for your service Skorpi and for the daily. I love the reminder on this page simply because it suggests we work these steps, in our time frame, without a deadline, in order. Simply put in black & white, we are asked to just do what presented, in order, not skipping ahead, and voila!
I am a believer in the power of these steps simply because I did not know peace until I became willing to do the work. I return to Step one often and proceed from there simply because I tend to still want to try and control/change people, places and things. It comes from a good place in my heart yet has never turned out as desired and is really unhealthy for who I'm becoming.
Step 12 gives me the opportunity to truly practice this program in all my affairs. I am one who needs to be reminded often that I am powerless over so much more than just alcohol & the alcoholic. This program has given me a design for daily living which is a much healthier plan than how I was doing it before.
Grateful...for you all, MIP, Al-Anon & all that we get to experience with a new set of eyes!
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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
