December 3 in The Little Blue Book ONE DAY at a TIME in AL-ANON
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Join Date: Apr 2011
Location: "Happy Rock" (Gladstone) Oregon
Posts: 1,360
December 3 in The Little Blue Book ONE DAY at a TIME in AL-ANON
December 3 in The Little Blue Book ONE DAY at a TIME in AL-ANON:
There are questions – and many of us ask them – that lead us straight down the dead-end street of frustration: “Why can’t he…?” – “What is he up to?” – “Why can’t I make him see…?”
They’re simple, but they say a lot. They reveal our conviction that we’re in control – that we know what ought to be done – that our wisdom is greater than someone else’s. They lead to frustration because we’re not in control – of anyone or anything but ourselves.
In his book, The Sign of Jonas, the noted writer Thomas Merton says, “Stop asking yourself questions that have no meaning. Or, if they have, you’ll find out when you need to – find out both the questions and the answers.”
TODAY’S REMINDER
I will rather ask myself: “What prompts me to do or say things that cause trouble?” – “Why do I concentrate on someone else’s shortcomings instead of my own?” To such questions I can find the answers – if I dig deeply and honestly enough.
“Speculating on other people’s attitudes and motives is a waste of time and effort. To search out the reasons for my own is a voyage of discovery!”
There are questions – and many of us ask them – that lead us straight down the dead-end street of frustration: “Why can’t he…?” – “What is he up to?” – “Why can’t I make him see…?”
They’re simple, but they say a lot. They reveal our conviction that we’re in control – that we know what ought to be done – that our wisdom is greater than someone else’s. They lead to frustration because we’re not in control – of anyone or anything but ourselves.
In his book, The Sign of Jonas, the noted writer Thomas Merton says, “Stop asking yourself questions that have no meaning. Or, if they have, you’ll find out when you need to – find out both the questions and the answers.”
TODAY’S REMINDER
I will rather ask myself: “What prompts me to do or say things that cause trouble?” – “Why do I concentrate on someone else’s shortcomings instead of my own?” To such questions I can find the answers – if I dig deeply and honestly enough.
“Speculating on other people’s attitudes and motives is a waste of time and effort. To search out the reasons for my own is a voyage of discovery!”
Member
Join Date: Jan 2011
Location: Anchorage, Alaska
Posts: 4,719
Originally Posted by MeredithD1 
“Speculating on other people’s attitudes and motives is a waste of time and effort. To search out the reasons for my own is a voyage of discovery!”
It led to my own hurt anger, and frustration and wrecked my serenity! Thanks, Meredith! This quote is one for my fridge, right at eye level!
Member
Join Date: Oct 2011
Location: northwest
Posts: 33
Needed that one too today. I got on my AH crazy bus again for a week.
I know I just need to stay off the bus. My thoughts went to if he would
just stop drinking. Im staying off the crazy bus for good this time.
I know I just need to stay off the bus. My thoughts went to if he would
just stop drinking. Im staying off the crazy bus for good this time.
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