Al-Anon: Our Side of the Street

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Al-Anon: Our Side of the Street

Al-Anon is a mutual support group who share their experience in applying the Al-Anon principles

24/09/2025

Courage to Change

An Al-Anon friend says, "I have a tendency to think of my experience with alcoholism as an epic, technicolor movie, an extravaganza with my name in lights on the marquee, but it's not really like that. It's really just home movies." From time to time I have shared my friend's exaggerated vision, though of course when I did, the name in lights was my own.

I came to this program with a story to tell that seemed to splash across every inch of a very wide screen. I told it and told it, until one day I noticed that I was sitting in a room with others, showing home movies.

Today I feel happy to be there as part of the show, but my role has changed. I am no longer the martyr, bravely sacrificing myself to the cold, cruel world of melodrama. Realism has taken over. My role is important, but not unique, and I don't expect to see it in lights.

Today’s Reminder

Al-Anon has given me an opportunity to share my home movies with others. My situation is neither the best nor the worst. Although I am unique in some ways, I am more like others than I ever suspected. I will appreciate this sense of fellowship today.

"...as we learn to place our problem in its true perspective, we find it loses its power to dominate our thoughts and our lives."
--Suggested Al-Anon/Alateen Welcome

Language of Letting Go

Allowing Ourselves to be Needy

We can accept ourselves as people who have needs - the need for comfort, love, understanding, friendship, and healthy touch. We need positive reinforcement, someone to listen to us, someone to give to us. We are not weak for needing these things.

These needs make us human and healthy. Getting our needs met - believing we deserve to have them met - makes us happy.

There are times, too, when in addition to our regular needs, we become particularly needy. At these times, we need more than we have to give out. That is okay too.

We can accept and incorporate our needs, and our needy side, into the whole of us. We can take responsibility for our needs. That doesn't make us weak or deficient. It doesn't mean we are not properly recovering, nor does it mean we're being dependent in an unhealthy way. It makes our needs, and our needy side, manageable. Our needs stop controlling us, and we gain control.

And, our needs begin to get met.

Today, I will accept my needs and my needy side. I believe I deserve to get my needs met, and I will allow that to happen.

More Language of Letting Go

Make Conscious Contact

God must become an activity in our consciousness.
--Joel S. Goldsmith

God is not separate from this beautiful world that he created. He is the creative force behind everything we do. He is the sunrise, the moonrise, the tides, and the eclipse. He created us from nothing, and we are special for no other reason than that we are.

When we let go of our separateness and welcome the fact that we are part of the universe, an amazing thing happens: we see we are part of the glory of the universe.

God is more than a great father standing judgmentally above looking down with a mix of love and anger at his creation. We were created in God's image. We are a part of God, and a part of God's spirit resides in each of us.

We are a part of universal consciousness.

Today, whether you are feeling down and sad or joyous and free, take a moment and get in touch with the part of God that resides within you. You're a part of something bigger than all the petty victories and losses in your life. Enjoy your uniqueness; embrace your universality, too. Find comfort and humility in all that is.

See God in your life and in the world. Pray. Meditate.

Make conscious contact with your God.

God, help me make conscious contact with you today.

One Day at a Time in Al-Anon

After we have been trying to use the Al-Anon program for a while, one thing becomes clear: we can get unlimited benefits from changing our way of thinking. No realistic, reasonable person would consider this an easy task; indeed, there is nothing more difficult in life!

Suppose, just suppose, we were resolved to follow this one idea, expressed by one of AA’s founders in an informal talk:

"Let’s stop throwing blame around" This one idea could be explored, meditated on, acted upon, from now until the end of our days. What would happen if we stopped blaming anyone for anything? We would experience miracles of tolerance and grace - rich spiritual rewards, reflected in a life of real fulfillment.

Today's Reminder

I will try not to blame the alcoholic. How can I know what he is going through in his struggle with the bottle, the ever-present escape? What can I know of his strivings to improve after he is sober? I will not blame him. I will not blame anybody. I will not blame myself.

“Who is to blame? Whom do I have the right to blame? Let me concentrate on keeping my own conduct from being at fault; more I cannot do.”

Hope For Today

When I came to Al-Anon, I was ill-prepared to accept that my “perfect” parents were full-fledged alcoholics, and that I suffered from the disease in the form of emotional sickness and spiritual starvation.

I believed that if Al-Anon would give me the answer book and allow me to study it, I could fix my family and we’d live happily together. I soon learned that there is no answer book. However, there is plenty of helpful Conference Approved Literature and a great deal of experience, strength, and hope. Most importantly, there are Twelve Steps that can help me find the answers.

As I became involved in Al-Anon, my family continued to deteriorate because of my parents’ and my brother’s drinking. In spite of my efforts, I grew despondent and disinterested in working Al-Anon’s Twelve Steps and in living life.

Then the miracle commonly shared by others in the program happened to me. When I could not do another thing for myself, the loving God of my understanding wrapped me in protective care and began to teach me that I am worthy of joy and serenity. I became receptive to what living the Al-Anon program could achieve for me - joy and serenity in the face of chaos.

Today I live with the knowledge that I am worthy and deserving. If I cultivate my spiritual awareness and remember to avail myself of each moment’s opportunities, I experience many hours of joy and serenity.

Thought for the Day

My Higher Power is looking out for me even when I can't.

"I believe that God's grace also means that God is doing for us what we cannot do for ourselves. He floods my life with His grace, doing things for me and through me that I could never do myself."

--As We Understood ... pp. 97-98

A Little Time for Myself

I used to spend a lot of time anticipating the future and making judgments about the past. This futile exercise in mental insanity kept me from living in the present.

When I look too much into the future or the past, I can miss the healthy thoughts, people, and relationships I have drawn to myself today. The past is gone; tomorrow will need to wait.

Now I can learn from my past - born mistakes and victories - realizing that what worked yesterday may not be what works today. I can prepare for tomorrow, but not get caught up in expectations.

Today's Reminder

My Higher Power only gives me the tools and information I need for living well these next 24 hours. Life is much more manageable and meaningful when I live it "One Day at a Time."

"Just for today I will try to live through this day only, and not tackle all my problems at once."
Just for Today Bookmark

What can I do right now to keep my focus on this one day?

ALATEEN - a day at a time

Why do I have to go to Alateen? Why can't someone else's parent be an alcoholic instead of mine?

At times I still feel angry and sorry for myself because my parent has a drinking problem. I think everybody has an easier life than me. Then I remember that having an alcoholic parent brought me to Alateen in the first place. It gave me a chance to find a way of life that can help me through my teenage years and that's something I can be grateful for.

Things to Think About

Instead of complaining because I live with an alcoholic, I'll try to accept that fact and think of it as an opportunity to make something of my life. Not every teenager has the chance to use such a program to work out everyday problems. I'm thankful that I'm one of the lucky ones.

23/09/2025

Courage to Change

One of my character defects is to respond in kind to behavior that is directed at me - to react to insults with more insults, to rudeness with rudeness. I never thought to act any other way until I began traveling to work with a long-time member of Al-Anon. Each day, when my friend would stop to buy the morning paper, the person behind the counter was surly and hostile. No matter how rudely she was treated, my friend consistently behaved with courtesy. I was outraged! Doesn't Al-Anon tell us we don't have to accept unacceptable behavior? Finally I asked her about it.

She told me that, since this is the only newsstand around, she would rather detach from the behavior than do without the morning paper. She explained that she is powerless over other people's attitudes, but she doesn't have to permit them to goad her into lowering her own standards for herself. To the best of her ability, she chooses to treat everyone she meets with courtesy. Other people are free to make whatever choices they prefer.

Today’s Reminder

Today I will "Let It Begin with Me." I do not have to accept unacceptable behavior; I can begin by refusing to accept it from myself. I can choose to behave courteously and with dignity.

My freedom and independence do not depend on any acts of defiance or confrontation. They depend on my own attitudes and feelings. If I am always reacting, then I am never free.

Language of Letting Go

Tolerance

Practice tolerance.

Tolerate our quirks, our feelings, our reactions, our peculiarities, and our humanness. Tolerate our ups and downs, our resistance to change, and our struggling and sometimes awkward nature.

Tolerate our fears, our mistakes, our natural tendency to duck from problems, and pain. Tolerate our hesitancy to get close, expose ourselves, and be vulnerable.

Tolerate our need to occasionally feel superior, to sometimes feel ashamed, and to occasionally share love as an equal. Tolerate the way we progress - a few steps forward, and a couple back.

Tolerate our instinctive desire to control and how we reluctantly learn to practice detachment. Tolerate the way we say we want love, and then sometimes push others away. Tolerate our tendency to get obsessive, forget to trust God, and occasionally get stuck.

Some things we do not tolerate. Do not tolerate abusive or destructive behaviors toward others or ourselves.

Practice healthy, loving tolerance of ourselves, said one man. When we do, we'll learn tolerance for others. Then, take it one step further. learn that all the humanness we're tolerating is what makes ourselves and others beautiful.

Today, I will be tolerant of myself. From that, I will learn appropriate tolerance of others.

More Language of Letting Go

You Have the Power

If you see Buddha, kill him.
--Zen koan

For the first several hundred years after the Buddha died, there were no images of him. Only his dharma, or teachings, were passed on from generation to generation. Eventually, however, the people wanted an image to remind them of their ideal, and that's when and how Buddha statues came to be.

The good thing about having statues of Buddha is they remind followers of the ideals they're striving for in their lives. The difficult thing about Buddha statues is that people may be tempted to idolize the statue, and forget to seek the state of consciousness the Buddha represented.

It's easy for us to idolize our mentors and teachers, the people who encourage and help us to grow. It can be easy to look around us and think others have the key to enlightenment, success, joy.

Stop idolizing other people.

Look in the mirror.

You have everything you need to learn your lessons, grow, and achieve success. You have all the courage you need to fail, then try again. You have everything you need, within you, to live and follow your own path with heart.

Not only are you right where you need to be, but you can get wherever you want to go from here. And you and I have all the power we need to learn the lessons we came here to learn.

God, teach me that all I need is within me.

One Day at a Time in Al-Anon

One of our delusions is that we, as spouses of alcoholics, are “running the show.” This form of self-deception can only increase our frustrations. It makes the home a battleground in which the alcoholic has the best chance of winning every encounter. We are often outwitted by the alcoholic’s lightning changes of mood, his promises, challenges and other maneuvers. This is the best reason for detaching our minds and our emotions from the minute- by-minute conflict, and seeking a peaceful, orderly way of life within ourselves. If we stop fighting out every incident that happens, absence of an active adversary is bound to bring about wholesome changes in the home environment, and everyone in it.

Today's Reminder

I will not try to outwit or out-maneuver anyone else, but will proceed quietly to live my life so I will have less reason for self-reproach. I will withdraw my mind from what others do, and think of what I am doing. I will not react to challenging words and actions.

“When you are offended at any man’s fault, turn to yourself and study your own failings. Then you will forget your anger.”
(Epictetus)

Hope For Today

I suffered from the compulsive need for perfection that I developed while growing up with an alcoholic mother. I found that trying to be perfect was the best defense against her anger. There was no way of knowing what would upset my mother next, and I believed perfect behavior and achievement would protect me from her dangerous responses.

A friend who often witnesses my destructive habit of criticizing myself told me of a mistake she made one morning. Instead of pouring her orange juice into a glass, she poured it into her coffee as if it were cream. She knew if I had made the same error, it would have been an occasion for intense self-derision at my imperfection, and she was right. I was completely mystified by her casual dismissal of the mistake. I envied her ability to simply pour the coffee and juice mixture out of her mug and start over again. How could she laugh off the incident so easily? I had no idea how to treat myself in such a gentle, forgiving way.

A particular Al-Anon tool showed me how to apply the lessons of my friend’s story to my own life. The repeated hearing and reading of the slogan “How Important Is It?” helped me to work this question into my daily experience. I finally understood that no serious damage is done when orange juice is poured into coffee. I learned to distinguish which behaviors result in consequences that need serious attention, and which ones do not. I came to understand that actions are about responsibility, not judgment. I have now learned to be as gentle with myself as I am with others.

Thought for the Day

What is my barometer for determining “How Important Is It?”

“Most of the time I find that what I might have viewed as a disaster is really insignificant."

--Courage to Change, p. 228

A Little Time for Myself

It's funny how many of the things I did for "my recovery" matched the items on my husband's daughter's, and father's to-do lists. Then I gained an awareness - the real me is separate from the disease of alcoholism and its effects in a loved one's life. My recovery is separate and real.

Now I am learning to embrace my recovery as a living, vibrant, exciting journey for myself. I am a miracle of life created with a purpose. I have my own identity and my own feelings. I am free to have my own likes and dislikes, joys and sorrows, fears, interests, and experiences.

Today's Reminder

Alcoholism has certainly affected my life, but it's only my recovery for which I am responsible. It feels good to let go of others and find my own life instead.

"I also know that in my Al-Anon journey I am saner than before. I am happier now that I am re-establishing my self-determination. I am regaining my self-respect and integrity."
Intimacy in Alcoholic Relationships

How do I differentiate my needs and desires from those of others?

ALATEEN - a day at a time

I'm a great procrastinator! I love to put things off as long as I can. Sometimes, leaving things until it's too late gets me into trouble: an assignment at school, an important job around the house, a call to a special friend.

When my mind is still working on yesterday's responsibilities, I can't concentrate on today. Alateen is a today program. If I want to get the most out of it, I have to stop stalling and get moving. Reading the "Alateen Just For Today" pamphlet is a good place to start. Its message is as simple as the old saying: "Don't put off till tomorrow what you can do today."

Things to Think About

If I have a letter to write, a book to read, homework to finish, or some cleaning up to do, I'll do it now instead of waiting till later. Trying to live Just For Today will take away a lot of worry and frustration and make today a better day.

22/09/2025

Courage to Change

The Fifth Step (“Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs”) is a very intimate experience in which we share our private thoughts and experiences with another person. Much has been said about the freedom this Step offers to the person who is doing the talking, but it can be extremely rewarding to the listener as well.

Most of us feel deeply honored to be entrusted to share in such a sensitive and personal experience. It’s a wonderful opportunity to practice giving unconditional love and support by simply listening. Many of us hear stories that are similar to our own; others can often identify with the feelings that are expressed. Perhaps we will be reminded of where we have been and how far we have come. We also see that, despite our outward differences, we have a great deal in common with others.

Whether we practice this Step by listening or speaking, we open ourselves as channels for our Higher Power. More often than not, we hear something that sheds light on our own situation.

Today’s Reminder

When I respond to a request for help with working the Al-Anon program, I help myself as well.

“There is no better way to keep our spiritual benefits than by giving them away with love, free of expectations, and with no strings attached.” . . In All Our Affairs”

Language of Letting Go

Trusting Ourselves

Many of us believed that heeding the words of God or our Higher Power meant following rigid rules, an instruction booklet for life.

Many of us now believe differently. The rigid rules, the endless instructions, the exhortation to perfection, are not the words our Higher Power whispers.

The words of God are often those still, small words we call intuition or instinct, leading and guiding us forward.

We are free to be who we are, to listen to and trust ourselves. We are free to listen to the gentle, loving words of a Higher Power, words whispered to and through each of us.

Today, help me, God, to let go of shame-based rigid rules. I will choose the freedom of loving, listening, and trusting.

More Language of Letting Go

Be Uniquely You

We will discover the nature of our particular genius when we stop trying to conform to our own or to other peoples' models, learn to be ourselves, and allow our natural channels to open.
--Shakti Gawain

We have much in common with each other. And recovery, growth, and change are strengthened by honoring these similarities. But each of us is unique. We each have our own strengths, weaknesses, gifts, vulnerabilities - our own personalities.

The purpose of spiritual growth is not to eliminate our personality. It is to refine and enhance it, and allow each of us to express ourselves creatively.

We are not meant to be just like anyone else. Comparison will leave us uncomfortable, either on the side of pride or of inadequacy.

You are you. The wonder of life comes in finding your own rhythm to the dance, your own way of seeing the world, your own brush stroke, phrase, or special combination.

There is an old story about a writer who goes to his teacher and says, "Teacher, all the stories have already been told. There is no need for me to write. Everything that needs to be said has already been written."

"It's true that there are no new stories," the teacher said. "The universal lessons have been taking place for a long, long time. And the same themes have influenced humanity since time began. But no one sees that story through your eyes. And no one else in the world will tell that story exactly the way you will. Now return to your desk, pick up your pen, and tell the world what you see."

The beauty of the world lies both in our differences and in our similarities. Allow the beauty that is channeled through you to be flavored with your own special perspective on the world.

There's a difference between ego and personality. Drop the ego. Let your personality, in all its glories and foibles and eccentricities, come shining through.

Respect how much you have in common with other people.

Then be uniquely you.

God, thank you for making me unique.

One Day at a Time in Al-Anon

When I concentrate on little things that annoy me, and they sprout resentments that grow bigger and bigger, I seem to forget how I could be “stretching” my world and broadening my perspective. That’s the way to shrink troubles down to their real size.

Worrying about trifles saps my spiritual energy which I could certainly put to better use. Am I willing to waste my life in this way?

When something or somebody is giving me trouble, let me see the incident in relation to the rest of my life, especially the part that is good, and for which I should be grateful. A wider view of my circumstances will make me better able to deal with all difficulties, big and little.

Today's Reminder

I refuse to let my serenity be drowned out by happenings that are in themselves unimportant. I will not be made uneasy by what others do, whether they intend to hurt me or not. I will not clutter up my thoughts with resentment; it would not profit me but, worse, it would hurt me.

“Why do we accept things that trouble us, when we could do something about them?"

Hope For Today

Talking openly and honestly with my family members is difficult and at times downright painful. Saying to people I love that I’m no longer willing to be around their intense negative energy is a frightening experience. Sometimes I’m afraid I’ll have to separate from my family members to maintain my quest for healthy-living, especially when they deny and justify their unacceptable behavior.

I’m aware that I still want the people I love to change and mature, so I can be more comfortable. I am also aware that this may or may not happen. Today it’s okay for me to want this to happen. However, I am slowly learning that trying to change someone else’s behavior to suit my needs is an exercise in futility and frustration. Truly profound power and peace lie in the ability to change my behavior to suit my needs.

Thought for the Day

With the help of Al-Anon, I can accept people as they are and find serenity, even if I’m the only one who changes.

"We need to recover; and, when we do, we sometimes find that others are motivated to get better, too."

--Does She Drink Too Much? p. 4

A Little Time for Myself

I'm always amazed by the different people who lead meetings. In our group, people sign up to lead. If no one has signed up, someone volunteers to chair when the meeting starts. This is an example of the "good personal leadership" mentioned in Concept Nine.

In my family of origin and my marriage, the alcoholic was the leader - it was his way or the highway. In Al-Anon I learned that good leadership knows that a fine plan or idea can come from anyone, anywhere.

What if I doubt my leadership skills? Al-Anon provides me with a safe, positive, and encouraging place to learn, practice, and grow. Concept Nine is about tolerance, flexibility, responsibility, and vision. It has nothing to do with perfection.

Today's Reminder

Whether I'm in Al-Anon service beyond the group level or setting up chairs for my home group, I can practice good personal leadership today.

"Good personal leadership at all service levels is a necessity. In the field of world service, the Board of Trustees assumes the primary leadership."
Concept Nine

Where can I practice good personal leadership today?

ALATEEN - a day at a time

Before Alateen I was afraid to live. I probably wouldn't have committed su***de, but I built a wall around myself to keep from getting hurt and rarely went outside of it. I just existed from one day to the next. I lived that way because it was safe.

Alateen loved me back to life. It gave me the courage to stick my neck out from behind my wall and take risks. I found that life wasn't as scary as I thought.

The Twelve Steps have given my life a real purpose and the Serenity Prayer has given me a deep love for my Higher Power who guides my life. I realize now that life is for living and I try to do a lot of it each day.

Things to Think About

When I live a sheltered life, I miss the whole point of living. Alateen helps me to break out of my shell and find out what life is really all about. There's lots to it and with the help of the program, I'll have the courage to live it every day.

21/09/2025

Courage to Change

In living with the disease of alcoholism, I became a fearful person who dreaded change. Although my life was full of chaos, it was familiar chaos, which gave me the feeling that I had some control over it. This was an illusion. I have learned in Al-Anon that I am powerless over alcoholism and many other things. I’ve also learned that change is inevitable.

I no longer have to assume that change is bad because I can look back at changes that have had a very positive effect on me, such as coming into Al-Anon.

I still have many fears, but the Al-Anon program has shown me that my Higher Power will help me walk through them. I believe that there is a Power greater than myself, and I choose to trust this Power to know exactly what I need and when I need it.

Today’s Reminder

Today I can accept the changes occurring in my life and live more comfortably with them. I will trust in the God of my understanding, and my fears will diminish. I relax in this knowledge, knowing that I am always taken care of when I listen to my inner voice.

“We may wonder how we are going to get through all the stages and phases, the levels of growth and recovery . . . Knowing we are not alone often quiets our fears and helps us gain perspective.”
Living with Sobriety

Language of Letting Go

Letting Go of Urgency

One thing at a time.

That’s all we have to do. Not two things at once, but one thing done in peace.

One task at a time. One feeling at a time. One day at a time. One problem at a time. One step at a time.

One pleasure at a time.

Relax. Let go of urgency. Begin calmly now. Take one thing at a time.

See how everything works out?

Today, I will peacefully approach one thing at a time. When in doubt, I will take first things first.

More Language of Letting Go

Revere Your Connections

Things derive their being and nature from mutual dependence and are nothing by themselves.
--Nagarjuna

We are dependent on much around us, not just for our survival, but for our joy. We need food, water, and the company of our fellow travelers on this great journey.

We can be self-sufficient in our attitude to take care of ourselves, yet we need the world around us in order to live and to be fully alive.

We are one part of a whole. We are a complete part, but nonetheless, a part. We need the other parts. The other parts need us.

Just as we're influenced and impacted by those who touch us, we influence and impact them with our thoughts, words, and behaviors. We cannot control others. Look at the difference in our relationships when we speak gently and lovingly, and when we scream.

While it is great to revel in the blessing of existence, the world becomes more interesting and alive when we recognize everyone and everything else in it,too. This body cannot be without the sustenance of food, and our soul's experience here would be greatly reduced were it not for the company of other spirits we have met.

While we do not need to live up to anyone's expectations of us, we need to remember that our actions will impact those around us. Yes, we have the liberty to think, feel, and behave however we choose. But what we do will touch the lives of others.

We are not responsible for other people. But we have responsibilities to them.

Revel in your freedom. But revere and honor your connection to the world around you. Take responsibility for how you touch and connect with everything and everyone in your life today.

Live reverently, compassionately, and respectfully toward yourself and all else in the world.

God, give me reverence and respect for all life.

One Day at a Time in Al-Anon

Until I understand the inner meaning of the Twelve Steps, my natural impulse is to resist admitting that they apply to me.

I don’t want to believe I am powerless over alcohol, or that I have allowed my life to become unmanageable. Yet I know I must accept the First Step before I can make progress.

Although most of us do acknowledge a Power greater than ourselves, we are shocked at first by the idea that we need to be “restored to sanity,” as the Second Step suggests. Yet an honest appraisal of many of my reactions shows me I have too often resorted to futile and childish tricks to achieve what I wanted. With my thoughts distorted by fear, despair and resentment, and my nerves overwrought, I could not think clearly nor make wise decisions.

Today's Reminder

Each of the Twelve Steps challenges me to be absolutely honest with myself. They will make me ready to accept the help of my Higher Power in restoring myself to the wholesome sanity of a mature, reasonable adult.

“The Twelve Steps will point a way to God and His infinite wisdom, by which I hope always to be guided.”

Hope For Today

Sometimes as I struggle with the effects of having grown up with the disease of alcoholism, the path seems too difficult to travel. I forget that there are ups and downs to any journey, and I feel overcome with disappointment with my seemingly slow progress. Then my Higher Power reminds me of a history lesson I once learned, and I regain hope.

An expedition of the Grand Canyon traveled along the Colorado River. Halfway through the canyon, the explorers encountered dangerous rapids. Some of the explorers were killed as the thrashing waters hurled them about. The others managed to get ashore where they gathered their wits to assess the situation. Although the river ahead looked choppy and menacing, some of the crew decided to forge ahead. They felt they had traveled too far to turn back. The others decided to return home on foot. The explorers who went ahead faced dangerous waters for a short period, but the remainder of their journey was safe, calm, and beautiful. Those who turned back actually faced greater dangers, and they did not survive.

This story reminds me how valuable it is to persistently move forward in the program. When the road ahead looks threatening and I want to turn back to my old attitudes and behaviors, I remember that I’m not alone on my path. I have the wisdom of a Power greater than myself, the tools of the program, and the experience, strength, and hope of my fellow travelers in Al-Anon to support me.

Thought for the Day

During bleak periods of my recovery, my Higher Power reminds me that the best way out is through.

“Today I will pause at a crossroad and listen to my Higher Power's voice.”

--Courage to Change, p. 81

A Little Time for Myself

Growing up with the effects of alcoholism, I learned to focus on what I lacked rather than what I had. I feared I would never have enough or be enough. This approach affected me emotionally, spiritually, and financially throughout much of my life.

In Al-Anon, I have learned to treat myself with the same spirit of generosity that Al-Anon and its members have always shared with me. Warranty One of our General Warranties states, "that only sufficient operating funds, including an ample reserve, be its prudent financial principle." The principle is prudence but the reserve is ample! I now know it's possible to be sensible without being stingy.

Today's Reminder

Instead of dwelling on what I feel I don't have or can't do, today I will focus on what I do have and what I can do.

"Just for today I will be unafraid. Especially I will not be afraid to enjoy what is beautiful and to believe that as I give to the world, so the world will give to me."
Just for Today Bookmark

In what ways can I live more abundantly today?

ALATEEN - a day at a time

I used to make excuses for everything: not having my homework done, not returning money I had borrowed, not coming home on time. Making excuses was my way of getting out of trouble, but when I made them, I felt guilty. It stayed on my conscience for a long time because it was just like telling a lie.

Now I'm learning to be honest. Instead of trying to make excuses for myself, I'm trying to tell it like it is. I've stopped playing games and I feel a lot better now because I'm not hiding behind my excuses.

Things to Think About

Making excuses is selfish. When I do it, I'm only trying to cover myself. Alateen tells me to be honest - to be responsible for my actions. It takes less energy to tell the truth and it works out better for everybody concerned.

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