Quote:
I will dare to be myself. I may be tempted to paste a smile on my face even though I am angry, in order to please another person. When turning down an invitation, I may want to make excuses so that nobody will be hurt. I may be inclined to cancel plans that I care about, without protest, because a loved one prefers to stay home and I don't want to make waves. These may be perfectly acceptable choices, and I may opt for any or all of them. But today I will be honest with myself as I do so--I will not pretend to feel what I do not feel or to want what I do not want.
Al-Anon does not tell me how to behave. It doesn't legislate right or wrong choices. But AI-Anon does encourage me to look searchingly and fearlessly at myself, my feelings, motives, and actions. I can only learn to love myself if I am willing to learn who I am.
Today's Reminder
I have a right to want what I want and to feel the way I feel. I may not choose to act on those feelings or desires, but I won't hide them from myself They are part of me.
"This above all: to thine own self be true."
William Shakespeare
|
From Courage to Change.
The program is one of suggestions, but there are darn well betters, or you will find yourself, back where you came from. Personally, I never wanted to go back there.
One day at a time, I will work the program and ask for the courage to change, and give myself the opportunity to recover from my disease. We have a family disease and it affects everyone around us, not just the As in our life.
The 12 Steps work for everyone and in all areas of our recovery. I am an Adult Child of an alcoholic father and an addicted mother. I became an alcoholic and an addict. Just for today, I choose not to use.
