wisdom collected on the journey, with love from Lea
The reading in Courage to Change for January 2 reminds us that “Turning to an alcoholic for affection and support is like going to a hardware store for bread.” It explains that “While our loved ones may not meet our … Continue reading “Got Bread?” →
I’m ready for new experiences that I don’t need to heal from.
If you need to quickly lift your spirit, this video might do the trick to dig your way out. Give it a try.
“Al‑Anon is not allied with any sect or denomination. It is a spiritual program, based on no particular form of religion.” — from the pamphlet Alcoholism, the Family Disease © Al‑Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc., Virginia, 2005. Good quote, source … Continue reading “Spiritual not religious” →
This is a new one I heard recently, and it explains why Progress Not Perfection and PAUSE are important. The early bird gets the worm …
I’ve heard various versions of a fourth “C” for Al-Anon’s three Cs. This is my favorite so far: I didn’t Cause it, I can’t Cure it, and I can’t Control it, but I have Choices.
My dark days made me strong. Or maybe I already was strong, and they made me prove it. — quote featured on the app Today’s Hope
The only meeting you are late to is your first one. — Heard in a meeting
The Al-Anon books In All Our Affairs, From Survival to Recovery, and How Al-Anon Works all have a page on “A Special Word to Anyone Confronted with Violence.” One of the statements is: It is not necessary to decide how … Continue reading “A Special Word” →
The letter from the alcoholic is a classic and useful piece of Al-Anon literature, from the pamphlet “Three Views of Alcoholism” (P-15). An excerpt is Don’t let me provoke your anger. If you attack me verbally or physically, you will … Continue reading “Letter from the Alcoholic” →
There’s always another acronym: A new one recently heard is FEAR = Frantic Effort to Assume Responsibility. Read more acronyms here
To join Alcoholics Anonymous, you just need a desire to stop drinking. To join Al-Anon, you have to know someone.
The daily reader Courage to Change has a great reading on detachment with love. The author of the page for January 22 (page 22) shares that her alcoholic spouse would often fall out of bed, and she would always get … Continue reading “The Blanket” →
We delight in the beauty of the butterfly, but rarely admit the changes it has gone through to achieve that beauty. Maya Angelou
LOVE = Let Others Voluntarily Evolve
An apology without restitution/amends is like a burglar saying “I’m sorry I broke into your home. But I’m keeping your stuff.”
An aphorism is a short saying that observes a general truth. This is a growing collection of aphorisms I have heard in the rooms and other places. See also the conference-approved Al-Anon slogans at Al-Anon Slogans – Al-Anon Family Groups. The … Continue reading “Aphorisms” →
A growing list … DETACH = Don’t Even Think About Changing Him/HerFEAR = Forgetting Everything’s All RightFEAR = Frantic Effort to Assume ResponsibilityFEAR = Future Events Aren’t RealFLY = First Love YourselfGEMS = Gratitude, Exercise, Meditation, SleepGOD = Good Orderly … Continue reading “Acronyms” →
Here are three perspectives on this topic. The consensus seems to be that it is a matter of group conscience and of “take what you like and leave the rest.” Notes from the Northern California World Service Area (NCWSA) – … Continue reading “The Lord’s Prayer at Meetings” →
Some alternatives: GOD = Good Orderly DirectionGroup Of DetachersGroup Of DogsGift Of DesperationGrow Or DieGifts Offered DailyGrace Over DramaGive Others DignityGive Ourselves Dignity God is the name we give to the unknown.