There are so many people going through the motions of living but who are not really engaged. Life is difficult. There is a better way to live.
Ever heard of Al-Anon, AA and The Twelve Steps? Good stuff, that, guidelines to assist in living a healthy life.
For those of you who are unaware of what Al-Anon is, it is an organization associated with Alcoholic’s Anonymous, help for family and friends of those who suffer from the disease of alcoholism.
The Twelve Steps are used like a map on how to live your life. Those steps are life-changing, no matter who you are or if you are from an alcoholic family or not. Here they are:
1. We admitted we were powerless over alcohol-that our lives had become unmanageable.
2. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.
4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
5. Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.
6. Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.
7. Humbly asked Him to remove our shout-comings.
8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.
9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.
10. Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it.
11. Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.
12. Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to others, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.
I meet many women who struggle in life, in their marriages, in other significant relationships and have no where to turn. I sit and listen to their stories over and over. I feel their pain and exhaustion as they reveal the details of their lives, and relate how very difficult their lives have become. Same story, different words, or not.
I’m here to tell you that it doesn’t have to be that way. You don’t have to live your life in despair, waiting for something or someone to change so you can have peace in your life.
I don’t want to make this post about Al-Anon or AA. I DO want to make it about this:
Don’t suffer alone. Life is short. Don’t become so consumed with the difficulties in life (and there are many) that you forget to life yours. There is a better way to live.
Thanks for sharing. This is a great post. They are great steps to live by, AA or not!
Thanks for reading, and I agree, they are great steps.
These are wonderful steps to live your life by. We are all responsible for our own happiness…we make it happen! Thank you for sharing this!
I totally agree with everything you just said. 🙂
I really think the timing of my finding this post is not a coincidence. Thank You.
That is music to my ears.
It’s a great way to conduct your life, I don’t care who you are! 🙂
Great Post!! This should be everyone’s 12 step just everyday living program also! So many people are just flailing around aimlessly with no hope or peace. Thanks for sharing & thanks for stopping by and commenting on my blog…I really appreciate it:-) Blessings!
You are so right. And I’m not directly familiar with any 12 step programs, but I am indirectly inspired and impressed because I’ve had many family members and friends who have found peace and a new journey through them.
Suffering alone, in any circumstance, is never the easiest method for me.
I totally agree. We don’t have to suffer alone so why go that route. It’s a great way to conduct one’s life.