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 THE EARLY YRS IN AL- ANON THE WORD SPIRITUAL AWAKENING USED TO CONFUSE ME ALOT I DIDN'T HAVE A CLUE WHAT IT WAS . THEN I FOUND A ONE LINER THAT SIMPLY SAID
A SPIRITUAL AWAKENING WAS AS SIMPLE AS HAVING A CHANGE IN ATTITUDE. (AND SUPRISE SUPRISE I HAD ACTUALLY HAD A FEW . HEHE
OUR CO FOUNDER LOIS DESCRIBES A SPIRITUAL AWAKENING THIS WAY
The word spirituality means so much it is hard to define---I think that spirituality is living alife tha has a deeper meaning than the serch for daily necessities. If we live spiritually in our daily life, then we find deeper fulfillment for ourelves --- Every activity can have a spiritual motive.
Hi Abbeyall! This is something of a joke, maybe--but then, maybe not. I first heard it from Judy Collins, the singer--who said she got it from learning about John Newman (who composed Amazing Grace). It goes like this:
"Religion is for those who are afraid of going to hell, and spirituality is for those who have already been there!"
Yes, I would agree that being able to be in touch with one's real self, and being able to make changes in one's life accordingly--I'd say that's pretty spiritual. They talk about that a lot in AA, I know. I read a little book called "As Bill Sees It" fairly regularly, and it sure cuts through any nonsense about what "spirituality" is supposed to mean.
I used to wonder about it a lot, but am finally accepting that it's such an integral part of living that it's not really a separate thing to be attained. It's just that I separate myself from it when I'm not being true to myself.
Spiritualilty is about becoming, it is about recovering. It is not about being someone different or better than who we already are. It is about loving ourselves again. It is loving kindness toward ourselves. It is finding passion once again from life experience, an attititude. Love your fate. It is about our heroic individual journies and how we have become peaceful warriors in the process. Not sure who said this...
There are many paths, but only one summit, I'll meet you there.
From Kahlil Gibran (my favorite) - "I have learned silence from the talkative; tolerance from the intolerant and kindness from the unkind. I should not be ungrateful to those teachers."
MAY WE ALL FIND SERENITY
Josey
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Julianne - It's best to move on. You cannot look back in anger in life. It's too short
WOW, abby and tom, can i EVER resonate with this!!!!! u two just solved the riddle for me re: step 11.........so i guess i AM progressing with step 11.....it used to just confuse the hell out of me, me with my "god thing" problems, but i can really really relate to this..........i feel ok, about my step 11 work now.......becuz i know i am progressing in BOTH of these.....thanks to U...rosie
I think for many people spirituality means different things. For me it is something within myself , cant quite pinpoint it but I "feel" it at different times. It could be a dew filled morning with the sun cresting in the east, or the fall leaves drifting down as I walk throught the woods, or just sitting and watching my grandchildren play. Spirituality is the warm I feel from something good, and putting one foot forward each day, seeking for peace and serenity.
