Taken from Al-Anon pamphlet: "Alcoholism The Family Disease"
Background by Jimmers
LET GO AND LET GOD
Every day there are decisions to be made and problems to be solved. When we notice irritations growing into tensions, tensions into near-panic, and old fears returning, it is time to stop and turn to God. We find that when we supply the willingness, He supplies the power.
Much of our confusion and frustration is due to our failure to deal with tasks and problems in the order of their importance. It does take discipline to put aside the things we'd rather do, and attend to those of first importance first. But the rewards are great: we get things done, we enjoy a sense of accomplishment, and we learn to face issues with a real sense of value and purpose.
This is a reminder that most of us need--often. Our only concern should be our own conduct, our own improvement, our own lives. We are entitled to our own view of things, and we have no right to inflict it on anyone else.
When we come into Al-Anon, burdened with the problems and confusion, we are confronted with a bright light of hope. This may tempt us to try too hard to learn, too quickly, all there is to learn about the program. "If we could only grasp the magic formula that is doing so much for the others," we think. But alas, it is not magic, but a philosophy of living, to be learned slowly and patiently, and absorbed into our hearts and minds.
When we approach each meeting, each problem, each step, in a relaxed frame of mind, what we need will come to us much more quickly than if we are strained and hurried.
Readjusting our lives and changing old habits takes time, and easy does it best.
When we are resentful and embittered over an alcoholic's behavior, it is well to remind ourselves that the alcoholic did not choose to carry this burden of misery and despair. But for the grace of God, we might have been afflicted by this sickness. Let us be thankful that we have the blessing of sobriety, and be willing to help the alcoholic find this blessing, too.