A – AlAnon 12 Step Program

So much of my life is influenced by what I’ve learned from the 12-step program of AlAnon Family Groups. I can’t possibly share it all here so I’ll give you a brief overview of a few of the lessons I’ve learned. 

• I’ve learned that I can trust that I’m not the only person who cares for my loved ones. As much as a mother may think she must solve her child’s problems, that isn’t her responsibility as a parent. Preparing them for adulthood is.
• I’ve learned that there is a Higher Power who hears my prayers. It doesn’t matter to me whether you say God or Higher Power. It is all the same. We aren’t alone.
• I’ve learned that each person I love has a spirit all their own. I’m not here to be anyone’s personal Holy Spirit. That’s not in my job description.
• I’ve learned how to love without enmeshing. This is a hard one. As a mother and grandmother I can love until it hurts and often do. However I must know when to detach with love.
• I’ve learned that there is very little in this world that I control and that brings me back to trust. When it comes down to it our control over events is highly limited. Recognizing and accepting this brings peace.

AlAnon is an anonymous group for family members of alcoholics. We share and learn valuable lessons in how to live life in a positive way. When I’m in an AlAnon meeting I have the peace of knowing I can trust everyone there to keep every word that is spoken, confidential.  We are all on an equal footing regardless of our socioeconomic status, age, gender or education. Somehow, and I’m not sure how, there is a fellowship among AlAnon members that would do the world good to emulate. It teaches and encourages wise choices. 

Trust, Pray, Love, Release Control and Live One Day at a Time.

So AlAnon is the perfect beginning to my ABCs of Wisdom for Women.

Footnote-I’m glad to live in the day and age where alcoholism and addiction is recognized as a disease.

I raised three children as a single mother before I remarried. I have experienced the potholes, pests, and perils of being the single head-of-household. As an educator in regular and special education for twenty years I know a great deal about child development and how to handle kids. I am the founder of SMORE for Women, a nonprofit whose goal is Single Moms, Overjoyed, Rejuvenated, and Empowered. I’m also a Certified Professional Coach and my stories have been published in several Christian books and magazines. My book, Living Learning Loving is available on Amazon.