The Recovery Slogans of Al Anon & Alcoholics Anonymous

Can three or four words change your perspective?

Can they turn the feeling of being overwhelmed to a feeling of serenity?

Can they act as a restart button?

It use to be when I found myself stuck on a problem, I could spend hours or days running scenarios through my head - trying to find the perfect solution, having confrontations and arguments play out in my head, creating internal drama that may never happen.

I wasn’t present - I would live this obsessive 2nd life all inside my head.

When I started attending Al-Anon, I was able to take a look at these actions - ask myself if this was a healthy way of being. I was given tools to assist me in switching my way of thinking when I started going down the wrong path.

Most importantly I was encouraged to seek a level of self-awareness to identify what the wrong paths were.

The most valuable tools for me are the slogans you find in recovery literature.

On the surface, the slogans seem so simplistic - it is silly to think these couple of words strung together could be leveraged to find peace of mind.

To me, that is the key - the simplicity in the slogans;

“Easy Does It”

“First Things First”

“How Important Is It”

“Just For Today”

“Let Go & Let God”

“Keep An Open Mind”

“Keep It Simple”

“Let It Begin With Me”

“Listen And Learn”

“Live An Let Live”

“One Day At A Time”

When I find my head is spinning with thought - saying “Let Go & Let God” reminds me that I don’t have to solve every problem - that if I trust in my Higher Power, I can let go of the issue and let Him provide the resolution.

I can then move forward with a clear mind.

When I’m with disciplinng whether or not to discipline my children - asking myself “How Important Is It” gives me a starting point. Will this issue really matter in 20 years? Will either my child or myself take away a life lesson from my reaction? If not, it is probably not that important.

I can then move forward with a clear mind.

If my alcoholic falls out of sobriety and I start to think too far out in the future about the impact from one day’s events - reminding myself that recovery for the alcoholic in my life and myself is “One Day At A Time” allows me to stay in the present and not overwhelm myself with scenarios that may never come to be.

I can better manage my reactions and then move forward with a clear mind.

If you haven’t already, I would encourage you to take a look at Al-Anon’s recovery literature.

The daily readings can help you work through your issues and allow you to figure out how to apply the slogans to your situation.

Would you like to have your experience and words of encouragement posted?

Send me your thoughts: support@lovinganalcoholic.com

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When I find that I am not feeling myself - it always helps me to read some recovery literature.

It never ceases to amaze me that if I pick a random daily reading - it seems to fit what is going on in my life.

Lately I’ve been feeling the pressures of a busy schedule, family and work.

I’m sure I’m not alone in this.

As I start to feel overwhelmed - I find myself being less productive.

I feel as if I’m just treading water - not really sinking but definitely not moving forward.

I ask myself what it is that I need to do to get out of this funk.

Simple - carve out a little time where I can focus on myself, read a little and try to apply what I have learned to what is troubling me.

Tonight, I’ve been reading from Courage To Change - One Day At A Time in Al-Anon II. I turned to the April 2nd reading on page 93 which is about the slogan “Easy Does It”.

How appropriate for what I’m feeling right now.

Today’s daily reading reminds me that when I’m not feeling well, I need to be okay with taking it easy - with being gentle to myself.

I can push myself when I’m feeling on my game but when my body or soul is telling me something - I need to be willing to slow things down - to listen.

On the days that I slow down - I always feel a certain level of guilt. I wander if I take it easy today - will this become a trend? Will everything around me start to fall apart?

Sometimes, when I take a step back and gain a little perspective, I just laugh at the way my mind works - if I take a day or two off, slow it down, not be productive the world may come to a grinding halt?

Ha! Of course not - I need to get over myself.

When I think about the slogan “Easy Does It” - (okay, I have to admit the first thing I think about is the mud flap on a tractor trailer - but that isn’t too inspirational) it reminds me to take a breath - to lighten up a bit.

I won’t be feeling this way forever - when I’m back to the old me - that is when I should start to push myself again.

Today’s quote:

“Improving our own attitudes, and our own state of minds, take time. Haste and impatience can only defeat our purposes.” - This is Al-Anon.

Would you like to have your experience and words of encouragement posted?

Send me your thoughts: support@lovinganalcoholic.com

As I will leave each post; If you, or someone you know, loves an alcoholic or addict, I would encourage you to find a local Al-Anon 12 step meeting to attend. This is your first step towards healing.

******PLEASE INDICATE IN YOUR EMAIL IF YOU WOULD LIKE YOUR THOUGHTS POSTED******

Three words but like other slogans I have found on my journey of recovery these words can steer me towards the path I need to be on. I can take a step back and gain perspective.

Yesterday was in the past, tomorrow never comes and just for today I can be the person I want to be. I can start over, I can learn from my mistakes and not repeat them - just for todayJust for today I can commit to finding help for coping with my alcoholic loved one. I’ve been feeling so low, not knowing how to deal with my spouse’s drinking. Just for today I can proactively seek out the help I need.

Just for today I can forgive myself for my actions and the thoughts that go through my head when my loved one is actively drinking. I can’t be the only one reacting this way or thinking these thoughts. Just for today I’ll give myself a break. I deserve it.

Just for today I will be selfish. I will break my codependent behaviors and realize that my family will survive if I take a day off from all of the responsibility I put on myself. Just for today I’ll let my spouse and my children be responsible for themselves.

Just for today I will be fearless and honest. I won’t be afraid that if I say what I’m feeling people may think less of me. I will let people know the real me. Just for today I won’t be afraid to let others in - to break my isolation.

Just for today I will strengthen my mind. I will buy a book that inspires me and carve out the time to start reading. I will learn something new - perhaps I will find a book on recovery. Just for today I will read a daily devotional that will inspire me to make the most of today.

Just for today I won’t give into my urges to react to my alcoholic. I will ask myself if my way of handling these exchanges bring me anything but frustration and pain. Just for today I will keep my serenity at all costs.

Just for today I will be happy. I am only as happy as I make my mind up to be.

If I find myself slipping back into old behaviors today, I will forgive myself and realize that I am interested in progress not perfection.

Do you have a topic you would liked discussed on Loving An Alcoholic?

Would you like to have your experience and words of encouragement posted?

Send me your thoughts: support@lovinganalcoholic.com

As I will leave each post; If you, or someone you know, loves an alcoholic or addict, I would encourage you to find a local Al-Anon 12 step meeting to attend. This is your first step towards healing.

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