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 reading speaks of the writer's fears when first attending al-anon, expecting a formal affair but instead arrived to a chaotic meeting where they realised a sense of humour and a carry-on attitude was far more valuable than doing things perfectly. The takeaway is that rather than feeling daunted by large tasks and events, we can look for the humour and get through not only accepting that things will go wrong but finding humour in them when they do.
I think this applies to any high-stress situation rather than just events and meetings, or when dealing with the problems alcoholism presents. I try to look for the humour in crisis, or when everything goes wrong. It feels a lot better than getting grumpy or upset, and it's nice to know we are putting others at ease by choosing to see the humour in problems/ hiccups rather than being agitated. Nothing diffuses tension or worry as much as a good laugh- as the reading says, "when I can laugh a little, I feel less afraid".
I'm usually pretty good at finding humor in the small things in life. Spill something or trip and fall in public, not a problem, I can laugh it off. Long wait lines at the doctor, stores, etc., same thing, I can find humor with others I'm waiting with. In general, the small, uncomfortable things, it's better to not let them get to me .
The big things though, that's different. If there's an emergency or crisis, I feel humor is inappropriate. Nothing annoys me more than someone trying to be funny or make me or others smile and laugh when it's time to be serious.
Thanks YKM for your service and above ESH. I was way too serious most of my life. As I spend time in alanon, I have noticed that my sense of humor exists! It is so much easier for me now to laugh at myself and see funny things all around me. My dog entertains me! I know that laughing can flood the brain with good hormones, just as prolonged stress depletes these hormones. And to my surprise, I come out with some funny things at times--it just comes out without my trying. My improved sense of humor is just another unexpected but appreciated result of program. Grateful member always.
