Friday May 25th
The man who complains about how the ball bounces
is likely to be the one who dropped it.
is likely to be the one who dropped it.
“Yesterday can ruin today only if we let it;
we can live and enjoy and be grateful for today.”
--As We Understood . . ., page 157
we can live and enjoy and be grateful for today.”
--As We Understood . . ., page 157
Reprinted with permission of Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc., Virginia Beach, VA
SIMPLE DECISIONS
Today started out very badly. I woke up with a headache. There were so many things to do and I worried about all of them.
As an adult child of an alcoholic, I learned that nothing would get done unless I did it. I also learned to worry about outcomes. If I made a wrong decision, the consequence would be a verbal or physical attack. I married a recovering alcoholic, so the verbal attacks stayed around. When someone else didn’t condemn me, I did it to myself.
After attending Al-Anon meetings for six years, I have learned to accept that I am a human being who makes mistakes. I am also learning to let go and let God.
Growing up in a home without love or encouragement made it difficult for me to accept compliments or hugs at Al-Anon meetings. I’d learned to trust no one and to keep the family secrets. I spent so much time feeling guilty and ashamed that I didn’t feel anything else.
Before Al-Anon, I believed all the mean things my father or husband said about me were true. As a result, I worked harder and tried to do better. I became a very good people-pleaser, but today I have a mind of my own and use it without feeling inadequate or selfish.
My home group is an Al-Anon adult child group. The members help me see that I have self-worth just because of who I am. I thank god for these wonderful people. Today my mind is much calmer and I take responsibility for only my own thoughts and actions. One day at a time things are getting better as I face the reality of my situation. Now I have choices. It helps me to relax and enjoy the moment when I remember someone saying, “Don’t just do something. Sit there.”
My day is turning around for the better as I make simple decisions that I know are mine to make. It still amazes me how complicated I can make things-but by using the Al-Anon program, I can handle life on life’s terms.
By Sharon M., Nova Scotia
Today started out very badly. I woke up with a headache. There were so many things to do and I worried about all of them.
As an adult child of an alcoholic, I learned that nothing would get done unless I did it. I also learned to worry about outcomes. If I made a wrong decision, the consequence would be a verbal or physical attack. I married a recovering alcoholic, so the verbal attacks stayed around. When someone else didn’t condemn me, I did it to myself.
After attending Al-Anon meetings for six years, I have learned to accept that I am a human being who makes mistakes. I am also learning to let go and let God.
Growing up in a home without love or encouragement made it difficult for me to accept compliments or hugs at Al-Anon meetings. I’d learned to trust no one and to keep the family secrets. I spent so much time feeling guilty and ashamed that I didn’t feel anything else.
Before Al-Anon, I believed all the mean things my father or husband said about me were true. As a result, I worked harder and tried to do better. I became a very good people-pleaser, but today I have a mind of my own and use it without feeling inadequate or selfish.
My home group is an Al-Anon adult child group. The members help me see that I have self-worth just because of who I am. I thank god for these wonderful people. Today my mind is much calmer and I take responsibility for only my own thoughts and actions. One day at a time things are getting better as I face the reality of my situation. Now I have choices. It helps me to relax and enjoy the moment when I remember someone saying, “Don’t just do something. Sit there.”
My day is turning around for the better as I make simple decisions that I know are mine to make. It still amazes me how complicated I can make things-but by using the Al-Anon program, I can handle life on life’s terms.
By Sharon M., Nova Scotia
Reprinted with permission of The Forum,
Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc., Virginia Beach, VA
Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc., Virginia Beach, VA
