Tuesday, December 9, 2008

Inspiring


I really enjoyed the Christmas festivities at the AA and Al-Anon meeting last night. The food and fellowship started at 7 PM followed by the meeting at 8 o'clock. I never seem to tire of hearing How it Works. It sends chills down my spine every time that it's read.

I enjoyed sharing my story with the group. I don't think that I ever tire of sharing the recovery part of my story. From my first Al-anon meeting, I heard people who were telling my story. I came to understand that I wasn’t alone.

And the most remarkable things began to happen. I learned that through acceptance the best things in my life can be realized. I also became less judgmental of others. I realize that each of us has to live our journey in our own way and in our own time. We all can support each other but need not walk the same road. Each of us has our own path.

Through all this, I gained gratitude for what I have is this life, the good and bad. I learned a lot from my mistakes. They taught me more about life than all the triumphs that I experienced. I feel such gratitude that I have been able to learn the tools to deal with living life. I feel gratitude for the deep friendships. I can step out of myself and truly be happy for others. My relationships are much richer because of what this program has taught me.

And perhaps the most remarkable thing was that I became a spiritual person. I began to feel the presence of a Higher Power. And to learn about a God who not only wanted the best for me but also wanted me to learn and grow. I learned about his will and how things happen in God's time and not mine. The promises of Al-Anon have begun to come true for me.

17 comments:

  1. I'm so glad things went well last night. Wonderful post....full of gratitude. Thank you.

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  2. The only way I ever learned anything was by making mistakes, What a shame that many people take no risks at all. jeNN

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  3. "I came to understand that I wasn't alone." You said it all. Before the program I thought I would feel alone forever. I cannot express in words how great it feels to be wrong about that. Thank you for the reminder.

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  4. hey..would like to throw out an invite to our NC/Bermuda Area 42 Convention in Feb. I'll email you the link offline! It's in Pinehurst. I don't golf but I hear the courses are good :-)

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  5. We say the Lord's Prayer at the end & I never tire of holding hands and doing that at the end. Nice post.

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  6. I think the main thing I identifiedwith is that the stories helped me to feel less alone as well and that was a huge part to my own success.

    I am glad it went well for you Syd I am sure you are a good speaker to listen to.

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  7. So true, and I can't wait to attend our small group tonight here in our small little town in NC.

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  8. I've always been good about learning from my mistakes. Thank god. Or HP. Or whatever. It probably saved my life that I knew that mistakes weren't the end of the world.

    You sound really good, Syd. It's great to read.

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  9. How It Works is my favourite piece.. It was always read out at meetings when I first came to AA. Now I hardly here it. It's Vision For You, The Promises, Keys to the Kingdom. Their nice but not my HIW. I can read gratitude, acceptance, smiles, happiness and God in your post. Glad you enjoyed the evening Syd. It's nice to know you.

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  10. What a great post, the gratitude the description of your meeting just sounds wonderful. I too love "how it works" it is the synopsis of all that helps us to grow whole again. Thank you for this wonderful post.

    G~*

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  11. I'm pretty tired so this comment will be brief.
    Thanks for the post. I loved hearing everything you had to say - loving hearing "How it Works", describing how the program changed you, and the growth of spirituality.

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  12. "How It Works" was the first words I heard, almost 35 years ago (March). And I shall never forget wondering , "Wow, this is really long, maybe they won't read it agaon." And I've come to LOVE it, and still find insights (revelations) which I had not previously 'seen'. As if the new thoughts 'appeared' on the pages.

    Thansk for all your thoughts on the blog.

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  13. I love this post..and not because I discovered Al-Anon but because my Mom did.And it not only changed her perspectives in many ways directed at alcoholism..but she inspired me through her courage to change.SOmething she never knew she had until her Al-Anon meetings.
    Great share!
    ps.As you know,I am a daily reader of her once daily reading book,the Courage To Change..it's just right for me!

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  14. a heartening post to read. it's great to hear your growth and how your thinking and perceptions have changed.

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  15. Rarely have we seen a person fail ...

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  16. I really liked this post, Syd. Last week when Cliff came home following his meeting, the first words out of his mouth were as yours..."I realized that I'm not the only one."

    Thank you.

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  17. You wrote, "And perhaps the most remarkable thing was that I became a spiritual person. I began to feel the presence of a Higher Power. And to learn about a God who not only wanted the best for me but also wanted me to learn and grow. I learned about his will and how things happen in God's time and not mine. The promises of Al-Anon have begun to come true for me."

    I, too, am still an Agnostic; (no set religion/and who knows until we die what and why.. ); but I have a God in My LIFE. I always felt there was a GOD..... just now I know there is for sure. I still don't believe in the religious stories; I don't believe in an Angry God; or a God that wants us to Worship him; or a God that say you have to be one type of religion; or a God that wants us to Fight. (Boy Dylan's song "God on Our Side" is a song my best guy friend played for me on his guitar last year; and I never heard of it before).

    Great blog.. thanks for your honesty and sharing...

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