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.
Surrendering is a highly personal and spiritual experience.
Surrender is not something we can do in our heads. It is not something we can force or control by willpower. It is something we experience.
Acceptance, or surrender, is not a tidy package. Often, it is a package full of hard feelings - anger, rage, and sadness, followed by release and relief. As we surrender, we experience our frustration and anger at God, at other people, at ourselves, and at life. Then we come to the core of the pain and sadness, the heavy emotional burden inside that must come out before we can feel good. Often, these emotions are connected to healing and release at a deep level.
Surrender sets the wheels in motion. Our fear and anxiety about the future are released when we surrender.
We are protected. We are guided. Good things have been planned. The next step is now being taken. Surrender is the process that allows us to move forward. It is how our Higher Power moves us forward. Trust in the rightness of timing, and the freedom at the other end, as you struggle humanly through this spiritual experience.
I will be open to the process of surrender in my life. I will allow myself all the awkward and potent emotions that must be released.
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Giving to others, from the heart..is what its all about..
Ive been on these boards since John started this site...Im a recovering A...and have been a member of both programs for some time..
Over the past few years...a beautiful lady in my life, and myself...both shared in Alanon...and on these boards..
We tried to both climb the mountain of joy love and living...But because our back packs were heavy...we got so far..and and fell...We tried many times...and each time, we went through difficult periods...we quit..tried again...and fell
Through these periods, I beleive that we both learned and grew...but there was a lot of pain involved, and emotional turmoil...We were almost at the top of that mountain...but we didnt make it...No blame involved...
Since that time there have been a lot of growing pains involved...People were put in my life temporarily.. to guide me through that process...plus the programs of AA and Alanon..
Over the past year I have come to the Alanon board many times...but the pain that I saw others going through...I couldnt handle...and I couldnt watch..
Today......In the same manner others have helped me..it is my turn..and responsibility ..to humbly reach out to others with compassion and understanding...and help them...in some small way..if I can...
Its that simple....
And we all give to others...from our hearts..with love...
And thats what its all about.....
Have a good day...or the best yu can....
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Giving to others, from the heart..is what its all about..
I go to the AA board also.Have seen your posts there,gotta admit it was Indy that drew me, lol, but I like your posts also, as well as a few others there.
I have been reading the postings here and on the AA and the ACOA site for more than 2 years. I really appreciate the courage of all those who share themselves and who share the well thought out wisdom in books like "the Language of Letting Go." These are wonderful thoughts and directions for adults. However, at one of the very first 12 step meetings I ever went to I remember an adult man talking about how it felt as a child for his mother to say things to him, like "let go and let God," when he had an issue with his alcoholic father's behavior.
Anyone who is a parent and living with an alcoholic, has a responsibility first and foremost to protect their children. Every parent must be accountable for the care of his or her child or children.
Most people who come to these boards and programs are making an effort to work the steps and recover. A parent needs to take care of him or herself, but there is an equal duty to care for our minor children and protect them from the addict. Janet Woititz has a chapter in her book "Adult Children of Alcoholics" that is chock full of wisdom for parents.
I have a sister who believes everything is in God's hands. Well, yes, but that doesn't mean you let your children get into a car with a drunk father and asking God to protect them as she does. God gave us common sense too.
We all can benefit from surrendering, but we also have to have the courage to change the things we can.