the next best thing!!! - Al-Anon Family Group

Gailey · ~*Service Worker*~

the next best thing!!!

QnJoan · Veteran Member

Hi Gailey,

For me, the next best thing is turning my life and my will over to my higher power. When I am being the director of my own show, I am doing what I want to do, listening to my own will. And my history has told me that I don't usually make the best choices. Often my choices are based in fear or resentment. So when I ask God to lead me and guide to to do the next right thing, and I listen to what he directs me to do, I make the right choice, the one based on healthy behavior and attitudes.

Hope that helps.

Love and peace in the program,

Joan

Rita G · ~*Service Worker*~

Gailey,

The next best thing - to me sounds a little like the next right thing. Which is a tool to keep me focused and out of the obsession mode. Such as, the next right thing . . . did I go to work on time, did I buy the groceries, feed the kids, clean the kitchen, read some literature, journal, take a walk, pray to my HP, go to a f2f meeting, etc.

What would be the best or right thing for me to do if I was concerned, worried, about the A in my life? I try to focus on that for the next few minutes.

That's how I look at that slogan,

wishing you the best of recovery,

Rita

Gailey · ~*Service Worker*~

thanks Rita and QnJoan

I meant "the next right thing"

Christy · ~*Service Worker*~

"The next best thing can mean "many things depending on the situation..

For example:
When I was new in Alanon I just couldn't get detachment down (I'd been too mouthy for too long). No matter how hard I tried eventually I would blow and something sarcastic would fly out of my mouth.

Everytime it happened I felt as if I had failed myself and the program. The next best thing for me to do was leave, remove myself from the situation before I had regrets.

Often I would go to a park, for a drive, whatever. I didn't accomplish detachment back then, but I did attain my goal, and that was not to fight and get upset.

Christy

jennneeefffurrr · Senior Member

It is the title of a really sucky movie that I saw once...BUT

To me I guess it means...progress yourself (?)

If the next best thing to complaining about being overweight is losing it,

If the next best thing to being rich is living well,

If the next best thing to fulfillment is acceptance,

If the next best thing to grief is healing,

If the next best thing to getting everything you ever wanted is being grateful for what you have,

THEN progress yourself and your thinking to "THE NEXT BEST THING"

That is what I think it means to me....

XOXOXOXOXOXOXOXOXO

Jen

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.