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 C2C likens taking our own inventory and finding deficits or defects to finding an empty shelf in a supermarket. In this way the reading invites us to consider finding our shelves "empty" as an opportunity to replenish our stock much as a shop-keeper might do. The reading goes on to say if we don't take inventory, we won't be aware of these deficits and thus won't know that we need to take steps to fill them. Thus the reading suggests that taking inventory is a very positive tool when we are feeling doubt, fear or frustration.
The image of the empty supermarket shelves is certainly very easy to visualise at the moment; I don't know about you guys but rolling shortages are all the rage here lately and every month more things become unavailable. I think this adds to the message of the reading as we need to improvise and find new ways of meeting our needs even though we can't fill the shelves with the items we are used to using. So for example, I can't buy dog food at the moment and instead need to make my own which is actually cheaper and healthier for my dog. Finding dog food was unavailable was at first worrying but it has led me to a better way of feeding my dog. I think taking inventory is very much like this; when we find a deficit we will probably also find that our old coping mechanisms for that deficit dont fulfil the need anymore and we have to find new, better ones. it's a frightening process but a very rewarding one and it helps us to continually grown!
Now, I just need to figure out a way to make my own fuel for my car as judging by today's news, it appears the next shortage will be a real doozy, haha. I hope everyone is staying well and safe.
Thanks YKM for your service and share. I look at taking my inventory as a way to prevent denial, which I was in when I found alanon. If I hold fast to the belief that I am fine, and it is everyone else who needs to change, I cannot honestly see myself nor work on positive change. I held onto denial because I didn't know another way to cope and view life until I stepped into the rooms. I now try to see myself with my flaws and assets. As my sponsor says, she is perfectly imperfect and that's OK.
YKM, thank you for this reading, and thanks to everyone who has shared.
This reading really resonates with me -- and I hadn't been aware of this page before, so a good surprise for me today. When I first encountered the Steps, and noticed that I was going to make a "searching and fearless moral inventory" of myself -- that was an intimidating thought! How could I accept something that sounded so daunting, and so punitive? I found comfort in thinking, well, this is just like a store owner doing an inventory of what is on the shelves. It's not judgmental, it's just counting what I have and what I don't have.
That's how I talked myself into being OK with working the Steps. And I'm so glad I did. It has been a great healing experience.
Just like most everything else in Al-Anon, I discover that others have had the same ideas and feelings, and it's even in the conference-approved literature!
Thank you YKM for your service and the daily. When I first glanced at the inventory step, I truly wanted to side-step and equated it to 'confession' from my youth. As with most things I resisted, I found fear to be knocking on my head/heart.
What I've come to understand is that when we work these steps in the order provided and suggested, my fear subsided enough through the first 3 steps to make the best effort possible. I had more sanity, less fear and tried as best I could to set aside my ego so I could do the step.
As with so many things in my life, the experience was far less painful and scary than I projected it to be. I remain hopeful that one day, faith will arrive first in my mind when faced with life on life's terms; it's still not natural for me to embrace faith first. Those who came before me encourage me to keep showing up, keep finding willingness and keep striving for change/improvement.
The steps provide the framework for me to do that. No step is a 'one and done' event in my recovery, just a continuous journey when more is revealed. I strive to be open for more healing, humility, empathy, unconditional love and acceptance and so far, have not been disappointed. Thanks for being a part of my journey all!
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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
