SOULFOOD: my belief in a higher power and my recovery through Al-anon.

I am a true and grateful member of Al-Anon. It's been 5 months since I first sat down around a table full of members and spilled my guts about my personal hell in dealing with others. Today, I have a new found respect for those of us that find this group, and I have complete and utter grattitude for those who helped me begin this spiritual journey.

Al-Anon isn't just about friends and family members of alcoholics, but rather it is about dealing with anyone, anywhere, anytime. It's a ground work in how to be a good person! It's about taking care of yourself. It is a selfish program that makes you look inwardly on your thoughts, words, and deeds, and it helps you to recognize why things in your life may not be fairy tale perfect.

All of us are different, but many share the same stories and experiences. We learn from eachother. We grow from unity within.

Like other 12 step programs (i.e. AA), there is a process and a progressive pattern for beginning a journey of recovery, but ultimately, the first little baby step is deciding to go. Then you begin to work the steps and that's when the magic happens.

The first three steps, which are normally the hardest to accept, can be summarized as such:

1.I CAN'T
2. GOD CAN
3.I WILL LET HIM

I have accepted step 1 and 2, and today I am embarking on step 3. 

The belief in a higher power has allowed me to have confidence in the fact that everything will turn out, just as it should. Fear and anxiety have subsided.

(Those numbered steps above are paraphrased and simplified, to make it easier to understand. Please google al-anon 12 steps for full step terminology.)

I had been told for years that I needed Al-Anon family group, but I was "fine" and was so controlling, that I never gave it a chance. One of the readings today actually said, "Sometimes, people don't know how badly they need a new way of life until disaster overtakes them." And, wow, that is so very true.

My disaster was losing my "family". Moving out of a broken relationship that had been shattered by the disease of alcoholism. After moving on, and being torn up over it, it STILL took me three months to succumb and ask for help.

Well, like I said, that was five months ago, and I am so thankful that I have found Al-Anon, for my life is truly changed for the better.

If there is any doubt in your mind about attending this group, drop it, and GO! It may take a few meetings to click and feel "right", but it's usually right where you need to be.

I have just bought my 3rd book on the subject, and when I started reading it, I was prompted to write about it. I hope this post was insightful and helpful.

Have any of you been to a 12 step meeting? If so, how has it changed your life?

<3 Amelia.