Taming the Dragons Within. Have You Ever Heard of Al-Anon Family Groups? It May Tame Your Dragons, Too.

”The best way to pay for a lovely 
moment is to enjoy it.” — Richard Bach

    Good evening,
I just got in.  How was your day?
My Gratitudes for Wednesday:
Paying Ninety-nine dollars for wisdom
1. I found out what's wrong with my car.
     I'm going to fix it at a $avings of $500.00. That's a pretty good deal. My mechanic used his diagnostic machines to let me know the problem and a bang of the hammer to temporarily fix it.
     I thought it
was hilarious.  I told Tony I paid him dollar to hit the fuel pump with a hammer and ninety-nine dollars for his wisdom.
     That's the problem: the fuel pump. It needs replacing.  That's something dirty and greasy, but I can repair. I'll have the help of a friend.
2. I met with friends this evening; we hung out at Juanita's again. Tonight we stayed at the restaurant until 11:30 p.m.  Closeness, empathy, intimacy and being nurtured all happen when we gather. I'm fortunate and grateful knowing so many swell people.
3. Earlier, I attended an excellent, healthy, dynamic Al-Anon Family group.

Al-Anon Family Groups

      The meetings this organization provides are for friends and family members of alcoholics. They are very warm and inviting.  Open groups allow anyone to attend who are interested in knowing how to cope with an alcoholic. Living, relating or working with people who struggle with alcohol---who are in the grips of this disease----affects all who come in contact with the drinker.

      Care is needed, when interacting with an alcoholic, even when he's sober.  Learning how to respond and not react, how to take care of ourselves and discovering options that provide serenity---in the midst of alcoholic turmoil---is what Al-Anon Family Groups offers.

An Important Distinction
      I want to be emphatic about one point. Al-Anon Family Groups is a distinct, separate organization.  It is not Alcoholics Anonymous. This non-profit social service was founded by those who discovered the insanity and despair they experienced by living or relating with an alcoholic.

      Many who live or work with an active drinker can become controlling, rescue or nag the alcoholic. Or, they try pleasing the problemed drinker. None of these strategies help.

      Tonight's topic was doing an inventory of the areas where we want to grow, known as the Fourth Step. There was healthy dialog among those attending. What I liked is that everyone who spoke stayed in the solution.

       One key point mentioned was that it is a moral inventory.  It is certainly not moral if we do an inventory and are harsh, self-loathing and  judgmental towards ourselves. That's self-abuse. Who needs that?  Nope, that isn't a moral inventory.  Besides, does it really help us improve our character if we mentally beat ourselves?

       I don't think so, either.

       No one whined, groaned or moaned about their plight while talking about this effect of another's alcoholism upon them.  Not a single person presented themselves as victims.  It made for an outstanding, positive, upbeat, supportive meeting.  Boy, was I glad.

A Loving Experience
       I shared that doing my inventory was among the most loving, gracious experiences in my life. I am fortunate having a mentor who is kind, supportive and loving, who demonstrates grace when working with me.  My mentor---or sponsor---taught me acceptance with grace towards the vulnerable parts within me.  This is preferred to acceptance with resignation.
       Treating myself in this way allows the dragons within me to be tamed. They are never killed.
4. I'm thankful for having a greater understanding of what I face in the next few months. I trust God to help me as I deal with several challenges.
5. I met with someone I mentor. We dealt with the subject of caretaking.  It was a fun time as we looked at ways she can take care of her needs.
6. I rode around the island of Alameda for 10 miles with a friend today and for three miles tonight.  I'm happy for the increased joy I have after exercising. I sleep better, too.

      Thanks, for dropping by.  I appreciate your friendship, gratitudes and insights.  Let me know any subject you'd like us to discuss here.  Keep in mind that abundance is not in how much we have, but in how much we enjoy.  Having an Attitude of Gratitude is one way of creating a heart full of abundance.

“As long as we are persistent in our pursuit of our deepest destiny, we
will continue to grow.We cannot choose the day or time when we will
fully bloom. It happens in it’s own time."    Dennis Waitley

       I wish everyone the very best. Each guest of this inn, I wish a fantastic April. The name of this month means to open up. In Spanish the word is abrir, a cognate with this word.  This month was given this name because this is the time of year when flowers unfurl themselves, revealing their inner beauty.  This spring, may you find yourself opening to opportunities you never dreamed possible.