Courage to Change 10.4.14
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Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Silicon Valley, CA
Posts: 2,066
Courage to Change 10.4.14
Courage to Change 10.4.14
I've heard it said that in Al-Anon we try to concentrate on our similarities rather than our differences. This doesn't mean that we don't have differences. What it does suggest is that, by remembering why we are all here, we need never feel alone.
Like so many others, I came to Al-Anon feeling that my problems set me apart from everyone else. As time passed, I realized that it was my own fear and shame, not the embarrassing details of my problems, that kept me at a distance. I learned that when I reached beyond these details, I could clasp the hands of others affected by alcoholism and thus find help.
We are all as unique as our fingerprints, but as our fingers join in the closing prayer, each of us is part of a circle of hope that is greater than any of our individual differences.
Today's Reminder
Although we have our unique qualities, all hearts beat the same under the skin. Your heart reaches out to mine as you share your story and your faith. I know that the part of myself which I share with you is taken to heart. Today I will cherish our collective strength.
"For the body is one and has many members, but all the members of the body, being many, are one body."
Quoted from the Bible
I've heard it said that in Al-Anon we try to concentrate on our similarities rather than our differences. This doesn't mean that we don't have differences. What it does suggest is that, by remembering why we are all here, we need never feel alone.
Like so many others, I came to Al-Anon feeling that my problems set me apart from everyone else. As time passed, I realized that it was my own fear and shame, not the embarrassing details of my problems, that kept me at a distance. I learned that when I reached beyond these details, I could clasp the hands of others affected by alcoholism and thus find help.
We are all as unique as our fingerprints, but as our fingers join in the closing prayer, each of us is part of a circle of hope that is greater than any of our individual differences.
Today's Reminder
Although we have our unique qualities, all hearts beat the same under the skin. Your heart reaches out to mine as you share your story and your faith. I know that the part of myself which I share with you is taken to heart. Today I will cherish our collective strength.
"For the body is one and has many members, but all the members of the body, being many, are one body."
Quoted from the Bible
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Dec 2013
Location: Silicon Valley, CA
Posts: 2,066
One Day At A Time 10.4.14
One Day At A Time 10.4.14
Heard at an Al-Anon meeting:
"I have only one person's guilt to carry: my own. If the alcoholic blames me for his difficulties, I will not accept the blame, but I will not defend myself, either, for that would only start a fruitless battle. I know he blames me because of his painful need to unload some of his remorse on somebody else. This should generate only compassion in me - not resentment or anger."
Another member responds: "I wish I could believe that! When my husband gets through telling me off I feel as though the devil were sitting on my back with a fifty pound lead weight in each pocket!"
Today's Reminder
There is no need for me to accept blame for another person's irrational actions. I will deal with my own shortcomings. If I do this honestly - following the Fourth to Tenth Steps - the change in me will be reflected in every person whose life touches mine.
"Let me weigh my misdeeds on an honest scale and make restitution as well as I can. But let not the scale be unbalanced by the weight of what others have done."
Heard at an Al-Anon meeting:
"I have only one person's guilt to carry: my own. If the alcoholic blames me for his difficulties, I will not accept the blame, but I will not defend myself, either, for that would only start a fruitless battle. I know he blames me because of his painful need to unload some of his remorse on somebody else. This should generate only compassion in me - not resentment or anger."
Another member responds: "I wish I could believe that! When my husband gets through telling me off I feel as though the devil were sitting on my back with a fifty pound lead weight in each pocket!"
Today's Reminder
There is no need for me to accept blame for another person's irrational actions. I will deal with my own shortcomings. If I do this honestly - following the Fourth to Tenth Steps - the change in me will be reflected in every person whose life touches mine.
"Let me weigh my misdeeds on an honest scale and make restitution as well as I can. But let not the scale be unbalanced by the weight of what others have done."
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