![]() ![]() As I no longer lived with abuse, I gained a sense of self-respect that led to a sense of self-worth. Each One Day at a Time did not seem very significant, but when we added them together they became the building blocks to recovery. My choices brought painful changes to my life and the lives of my children, but we made progress in every area. What a difference a seed of hope can make.Įventually I made some very difficult decisions. It was as if I’d gone from black midnight to a sunny day in the blink of an eye. I heard the message that if I was willing to listen and keep an open mind, maybe my life would get better. Before entering the meeting, I could not have felt more unloved-yet these people genuinely seemed to like me and to show concern for me. I was thrilled to be treated as an equal and a worthwhile human being. I was shown respect instead of humiliation. When members greeted me with dignity and maturity, it was the greatest “carrot” they could have offered to encourage me to keep coming back. I lived in a terrible situation with physical and emotional abuse. Al-Anon people did not try to shove some specific creed or slant-on-life at me. I’ll never forget how shocked I was at my first meeting. Not unlike the power of electricity, I can plug into the source of the "light" of understanding and for the strength to see my way through any experience today. My understanding of God and the power of that presence is proportionate to my reliance on that power. The more we rely on God to see us through the mundane activities as well as the troubling experiences, the greater will be our certainty that all is well, our lives are on course, and a plan is unfolding little by little that has our best interests at its center. The blows teach us they are the lessons the inner self has requested, and let us never forget we have a ready tutor to see us through every assignment. Knowledge that we are never alone, that in every circumstance our best interests are being cared for, softens whatever blow we encounter. Recognizing our partnership with our higher power makes every decision easier, facilitates the completion of every task, and removes all uncertainty about our value to this world, particularly to those persons around us. The more we are in concert with God, the greater will be our pleasures in life. The thorns of my insecurities may lead to the blossoming of a friendship.Give as much of yourself as you can to as much of your higher power, as you can understand. I am reminded of the saying, “Thank you God, now I know that thorns have roses.” The roses of my friendships are worth the thorns of the difficulties and painful moments I have had along the way. I believe all these friendships are gifts from God-gifts I had to be present to receive. And I am filled with wonder at the many good people in this program whose paths only briefly crossed mine. I am grateful for the friends I have made. I would not be living but merely surviving, just like before entering this program. ![]() ![]() If I had not been willing to risk rejection and feel some very uncomfortable feelings along the way, I would still be isolated, lonely, and stunted in my ability to have meaningful relationships. Regardless, my hunger for connection did not go away, so I resolved to keep reaching out. Sometimes a friendship didn’t work out and I felt deeply discouraged, fearing that I had done something wrong. Sometimes a great friendship would blossom. Despite my insecurity and awkward emotions, I gradually reached out to others within the fellowship. “Throughout all of these ups and downs, I have had one huge blessing.I have had the loving support of the SAA fellowship.”Īfter joining SAA and stopping my acting out, I discovered a deep hunger for connection.
0 Comments
Leave a Reply. |
AuthorWrite something about yourself. No need to be fancy, just an overview. ArchivesCategories |