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.
This is such a great place for us to learn how to handle life and work on our own self-improvement. Sometimes, however, I find it hard to remember all of the tools we have at our disposal thanks to this program. This is especially important for newcomers who don't know much about al-anon. I thought it would be nice if we could try to list all of the tools we have learned and use regularly to improve ourselves and our lives.
My favorite slogan is "Nothing Changes if Nothing Changes," what tools do you use?
My most used tool is literature....Courage to change, One day at a time in Alanon, Paths to Recovery.
I use the slogans alot too. "Let go and let God" is my most used.
I also use a tool that people have told me about. It is not a tool of Alanon per se but I use it alot. When I am in despair about my A...I picture my HP putting his arms around him and taking care of him so I can let it go to HP. I love when I can actually do that and have a picture of it in my mind.
F2F meetings is a wonderful tool but I have been falling short on that one a little. I need to work a little harder on that one.
One of the most important tools, I believe, is picking up the phone and calling another Alanon member....something I very seldom do.
Thanks for the post Baby Steps. I can now look and see where I need to improve.
The tool I use most right now is prayer and meditation. Literature a close second. And the slogan I find myself focusing on most in the last year is Live and Let Live, it started with the let live part .... I read something awhile ago about not forgetting the LIVE part so now I am trying to remember to get off my hiney and live a little too LOL
I really needed to hear "Let Go and Let God" as I am sitting here listen to my AH snore at almost 11am instead of functioning. (If billing doesn't happen checks don't come in and no one gets paid!) I'm new at this and in the period of incredible growth and learning. What a discipline it is to "Let go" and what a blessing it is to "Let God." It's like an epiphany.
I find the slogan "How Important Is It" and "Easy Does It" very useful in my life. In my busy hectic life I have to take a step back a great deal of the time and ask myself How Important Is It that this get done or that I attend that function. If I don't prioritize these days according to what I need to maintain my serenity and sanity I get very overwhelmed. When I'm very overwhelmed by a situation or a crisis, Easy Does It gives me the peace and centered feeling I need to manage that problem one piece at a time.
Peace
Twinmom~
__________________
"The people who don't mind matter and the people who mind, don't matter". (Dr. Seuss)
"How important is it" and "keep my side of the street clean" are my main ones. I have also learned to recognize when I am getting anxious and likely to put a step wrong. In those cases, I am getting better at just fading back and waiting, not doing anything, even just removing myself from the situation. I have managed to keep myself from doing or saying things I would regret by doing this.
One of my favorite tools is the slogan "This to Shall Pass" It's not one I hear often but there is an older member in our group that reminds me of this. Unfortunatly this slogan doesn't only apply to the rough times but the great ones to.
I think my best tool is to step back and wait and watch. To realize that I don't have to act or react. I have gotten along for 5 months just living life every day and watching things unfold with my A as time goes on. So my favorite is when you don't know what to do, do nothing.
