Courage To Change: 06/14/14
Behold the power of NO
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: WA
Posts: 7,764
Courage To Change: 06/14/14
Slowly, as I began to recover, I realized what a wonderful gift the Al-Anon program was. It gave me an understanding of this disease, the tools to change my life, the courage to use them, and a place to talk about my secrets and to hear others share theirs. I wanted my family and friends to have all of these things as well. Then I read the Twelfth Step, about carrying the message to others, and began my missionary work. I dragged people to meetings. I preached what I’d learned to anyone who would listen—and even those who wouldn’t. Of course, I made a fool of myself and none of this worked. Then I read the Twelfth Step again. This time I noticed the part about practicing these principles in all my affairs. Slowly I came to understand that in living these principles I would carry the message by example.
Today’s Reminder
It’s only natural to want to share what works for me with those I love. But when I must share it now, I may be more interested in changing others than in sharing my experience, strength, and hope. If I am insistent on carrying the message, I can work on improving the message my own
example conveys.
“We ought not to insist on everyone following in our footsteps, nor to take upon ourselves to give instructions in spirituality when, perhaps, we do not even know what it is.”
Teresa of Avila
It’s only natural to want to share what works for me with those I love. But when I must share it now, I may be more interested in changing others than in sharing my experience, strength, and hope. If I am insistent on carrying the message, I can work on improving the message my own
example conveys.
“We ought not to insist on everyone following in our footsteps, nor to take upon ourselves to give instructions in spirituality when, perhaps, we do not even know what it is.”
Teresa of Avila
Behold the power of NO
Thread Starter
Join Date: Jan 2013
Location: WA
Posts: 7,764
Great reading today: I especially like the quote.
I secretary a meeting on Saturday in another fellowship which is basically a beginner meeting and quite laid back (mainly women who are new and whose partners are still drinking/using so it leans toward a beginner "Friends of Lois and Bill"' meeting).
Last week, that obnoxious woman with years of sobriety popped up and started preaching and I was just grinding my teeth...she kept saying the answers were in the bible. I am completely cool with everyone's faith but that kind of heavy handed thing at a beginner meeting is what chases newbies away. I also was (my own character defects) borderline to using sarcasm and start talking about the song of Salomon to shut her up LOLOL >yep Bible porn at a 12 steps meeting..thank goodness I shut my trap<
I think if she comes back today I will mention that quote in my share, hopefully she will chill...
I secretary a meeting on Saturday in another fellowship which is basically a beginner meeting and quite laid back (mainly women who are new and whose partners are still drinking/using so it leans toward a beginner "Friends of Lois and Bill"' meeting).
Last week, that obnoxious woman with years of sobriety popped up and started preaching and I was just grinding my teeth...she kept saying the answers were in the bible. I am completely cool with everyone's faith but that kind of heavy handed thing at a beginner meeting is what chases newbies away. I also was (my own character defects) borderline to using sarcasm and start talking about the song of Salomon to shut her up LOLOL >yep Bible porn at a 12 steps meeting..thank goodness I shut my trap<
I think if she comes back today I will mention that quote in my share, hopefully she will chill...
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