Happy are those who think before acting and pray before thinking, they will avoid many blunders. 
Sharing is healing. --Cathy Stone It's not easy to share the intimate details of our lives. We have guarded our secrets for years. But now it's suggested that we tell our secrets to people whose names we barely know. That's certainly not the way we were raised, and listening to others reveal their awful truths startles us initially. However, we can't help but notice how much better than us other people seem to feel. We eventually understand that the more we open up, the less encumbered we'll feel by the past. The magic in sharing our experience, strength, and hope with others is hard to define. We simply know that when we do it, we feel relieved of our burden and we help someone else feel less isolated. We have come together because we want to get well. I will make sure I'm not keeping something to myself today that's causing me pain. Whoever I share it with will be helped too. |
In Lieu of a Cure
I sometimes think of Al-Anon meetings as an emergency room or infirmary where I can get treatment for my anxiety, anger, fear and uncertainty. I come when I need a dose of Al-Anon medicine. I come because I need to hear someone share their problem, which may resemble mine. It helps to know that I’m not the only one who has it. I want to hear and feel members’ experience, strength and hope if they are up for it. And if not, it’s okay to hear about their hurting, too, because we can bond through our pain, as well as our joy.
I know I will feel better after the meeting—no matter what I hear or say. I think of it as a treatment to help me deal with the effects of the family disease of alcoholism. It is good medicine that helps me get better. As I listen to people share and get healthier, I get healthier. I try not to forget that this is not a short-term healing process. Even though I will make more trips to the emergency room, I don’t need to call for an appointment—I can just walk in to attend an Al-Anon meeting. By Robert H., Virginia November,2018 Reprinted with permission of The Forum Al-Anon Family Groups Incorporated, Virginia Beach, VA 
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Today's Hope is a Recovery themed site with a focus on Friends and Families of Alcoholics and problem drinkers. We are not affiliated with any 12 Step program. The daily sharings contain a reading from
Al-Anon's Conference Approved publication The Forum, an inspirational quote/saying and a recovery based reading/meditation. The intent of Today's Hope is to share experience, strength and hope. Please take what you like and leave the rest. |