SAYINGS
3 A’s of AL-ANON
(A 12-Step group for Families & Friends of Alcoholics) :
✸ AWARENESS
Honestly identify, without white-washing it, what
truly happened to you growing up, the resulting
negative patterns of thinking & actions, & the
depth of your hidden emotional pain.
“If it’s hysterical, it’s historical”.
✸ ACCEPTANCE
Acknowledge & digest what you’ve uncovered,
for as long as it takes, patiently & with
compassion, in stead of self-judgement.
This ‘A‘ has nothing to do with liking something.
Just WHAT the truth is!
It also does not mean giving up, or that it’s
hopeless! On the contrary - ACCEPTANCE is a
prerequisite for change.
✸ ACTION
Whenever possible, change your behavior to
match a more compassionate and realistic
present-day view of yourself & the world.
Be patient!
Sometimes, no action is required or appropriate.
That too is a change. Sometimes the action may
be the same - what’s needed is a change in the
MOTIVE, such as doing it for yourself.
THE PROMISES of AA
(AA = Alcoholics anonymous)
-
•We are going to know a new freedom &
a new happiness
-
•We will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it
-
•We will comprehend the word serenity
& we will know peace
-
•No matter how far down the scale we have gone, we will see how our experience can benefit others
-
•The feeling of uselessness & self-pity will disappear
-
•We will lose interest in selfish things & gain an interest in our fellow man
• Self-seeking will slip away
-
•Our whole attitude & outlook upon life will change
-
•Fear of people & economic insecurity will leave us
-
•We will intuitively know how to handle
situations which used to baffle us
-
•We will suddenly realize that God is doing for us what we could not do for ourselves
JUST FOR TODAY
✶ Just for today I will try to live thru’
this day only, & not tackle all my problems
at once. I can do something for 2 hours that
would appall me if I felt I had to keep it up
for a lifetime.
✶ Just for today I will be happy. This
assumes to be true what Abraham Lincoln
said: “Most folks are as happy as they make
up their minds to be.”
✶ Just for today I will adjust myself to what
is, & not try to adjust everything to my own
desires. I will take my ‘luck’ as it comes, &
fit myself to it.
✶ Just for today I will try to strengthen my
mind. I will study. I will learn something
useful. I will not be a mental loafer. I will
read something that requires effort, though
& concentration.
✶ Just for today I will exercise my soul in
three ways. I will do somebody a good turn
& not get found out. If anyone knows of it It
will not count. I will do at least two things
I don’t want to do - just for the experience.
✶ Just for today I will be agreeable.
I will look as well as I can, keep my
voice low, be courteous, dress
becomingly & criticize not one bit.
I won’t find fault with anything, nor
try to improve or regulate anyone but
myself.
✶ Just for today I will have a program.
I may not follow it exactly but I will
have it. I will save myself from two
pests: hurry & indecision.
✶ Just for today I will have a quiet
half hour all to myself, & relax.
Sometime during that half hour I will
try to get a better perspective on my
life.
✶ Just for today I will be unafraid. I
especially I will not be afraid to enjoy
what is beautiful, & will believe that
as I give to the world, so the world
will give to me.
The SERENITY PRAYER**
“God grant me the serenity to accept
the things I cannot change,
The courage to change
the things I can,
And the wisdom to know
the difference “
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Adult-Children of alcoholics & other narcissists
The 3 Cs of Al-Anon, related to other people’s addictions, illnesses & personal problems.
• I didn’t CUASE it
• I can’t CONTROL it
• I can’t CURE it
