Hope for Today 1/6

[lildee]

Hope for Today

I see more clearly how I have grown in the Alanon program as I recall my past behavior and my misunderstanding of the nature of alcoholism.

I did not know or believe that alcoholism is a disease. I truly believed that the alcoholic in my life could control or stop the drinking. Therefore I had difficulty in communicating with the alcoholic. Frequently we had serious disagreements resulting in physical injury to one or both of us.

Fortunately a professional recommended Alanon to me. Sharing at meetings, as well as studying and applying the Alanon tools, has given me a firm understanding of alcoholism as a disease. I can see now that my attitude toward the alcoholic was seriously flawed. Understanding and accepting alcoholism as a disease helps me separate the disease from the person, thus allowing me to have compassion for the alcoholic while setting loving boundaries regarding unacceptable behavior.

Thought for the Day
Understanding alcoholism as a disease helps me have compassion for the alcoholic and take care of myself at the same time.

"Specialists in the field of alcoholism regard it not. as a moral weakness or sin, but as a complex disease, perhaps part physical and part emotional."
Freedom From Despair

[caressa]

What helped me to see my disease and get past my denial, I looked it as being at dis-ease with myself. Always looking for something outside of myself to make ME feel better.

I used alcohol like I used pills, relationships, food, work, TV, reading, and anything else that was in front of me. Some is good, more was always better, and even in today I can get caught up with computers and go back to the old way of thinking. Signs of old behaviors make themselves known and I realize that I am obsessing or closing down and not living in the moment.

1) Isolate myself from people (f2f)
2) Interruptions annoy me
3) My perception tells me I am just fine
4) Irregular hours and irratic eating and sleeping patterns
5) Not listening to my body and my inner Self.

The nice thing today is that I am aware and I can recognize the pattern and get myself out of it by taking it to my Higher Power and getting myself back on track.

[caressa222]

Old words made new in today. When I look back at this, it is hard to believe I wrote it. how did I get so smart. Why don't I listen to myself?

[majestyjo]

Today says I was in my disease, sleeping all day, waking up to dinner instead of breakfast and cancelling my ride to a meeting.

The only thing I didn't do was not pick up a pill or a drink, but I did use my book and I didn't put it down, I kept having to turn one more page. I had the mind set, and I don't feel too good in the moment.  So glad this program is one day at a time.