Friday 4/19/24
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Laughter can cure a physical condition; it can and will positively affect an emotional illness as well. Laughter ushers in a new perspective which gives vent to a changed attitude. And our attitude toward any situation, any individual, is all-powerful. A negative, critical attitude toward our financial situation, toward our disease, toward our boss, or spouse, or children, determines how we feel moment by moment. In like manner, when we raise our sights, look at the world with lightness in our hearts, expecting to enjoy the day, the people, the activity, we'll succeed. Finding humor in a situation, any situation prevents us from succumbing to feelings of powerlessness. Feeling powerless, behaving as victims, came easily for many of us before we chose this program and the Twelve Steps to live by. Choosing a humorous response, opting to laugh at our situation, at any point in time, keeps our personal power where it belongs-with ourselves. My emotional health depends on my active involvement in deciding who I am, right now. Deciding to chuckle rather than snarl will give me an unexpected emotional boost. |
Loving Interchanges
When I arrived at Al-Anon, I was desperate. I was unable to control anything or anybody, yet my words of justification were, “Somebody had to,” or, “They made me do it.” I kept coming back, listening to others share about their powerlessness. They talked about all the things they had tried before they came to Al-Anon, and none of it worked.
Gradually I was able to accept my own powerlessness and to recognize that many of the happenings in my daily life were none of my business. Fortunately my attitude changed and so did my behavior. I found serenity when I used the slogans, “Live and Let Live” or “How Important Is It?” also, a saying that helped me was, “Say what you mean, mean what you say, and don’t say it mean.” I turned my will and my life over to my Higher Power, took it back, turned it over, and took it back again. Finally I acknowledged that my Higher Power was in charge and that I needed to “Listen and Learn.” Lots of meetings, a Sponsor, and a Step study helped me work through the Twelve Steps. Al-Anon groups introduced me to the Twelve Traditions, but service taught me how to incorporate them into my daily life. Al-Anon is so different from other organizations. We are all equal but we learn to put our common welfare first to achieve the greatest good for the greatest number. I learned humility by watching members put principles before personalities as they performed Al-Anon service work. Through my own service work I experienced growth, recovery—and I learned that my efforts were good enough! A wonderful bonus came in the form of fun, fellowship, and the many new friends I made throughout the district and our area. Loving interchanges have guided me and allowed me to learn from my mistakes in an atmosphere of trust and safety. The trusted servants who helped me did not make me feel I was less than they were just to make themselves seem important. I’ve made mistakes and been able to say so, realizing it doesn’t make me bad or stupid. I’ve needed to make both public and private amends, but I’m okay when I do the best I can and my motives are clean. Al-Anon changed my life because it changed my attitudes and my behavior. Al-Anon saved my life by showing me how to forgive myself and others, and to live one day at a time. I keep coming back because I need the positive reinforcement I receive when I recognize myself in someone else’s sharing. I need a place where I know people love me just as I am. Today I face the same problems and people that I faced before I found Al-Anon. The difference is I have the tools of the program to help me keep my serenity. I take responsibility for my actions while letting go of trying to control the things I cannot change. If I truly live my life, it becomes easier to let other people live theirs. My daughter is back at home after another trip to a treatment center. Presently she is working a recovery program and so am I. When we both use program tools and give each other unconditional love, everything is serene. What creates disharmony is our anger if we don’t get our own way, or the moment when we fear a relapse is going to happen for either of us. Al-Anon has helped me be honest with myself and my daughter. Her program has helped her do the same. I am so grateful that we know how much we love each other. My daughter realizes how much Al-Anon has helped change me, and she wants some of what I’ve got. To help herself with her relationships, she has begun to attend her own Al-Anon meeting. I took my daughter with me when the Al-Anon International Convention was in Salt Lake City. I remember the theme for the opening meeting was “The Language of Love.” Now we speak the language of love in our family. I am so grateful to be a part of this wonderful worldwide fellowship. I love knowing that life is a great adventure, a journey. I am eager to experience tomorrow while still savoring the joys of today. By Joy D., Florida August, 2003 Reprinted with permission of The Forum, Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc., Virginia Beach, VA. |
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. |