One Day at a Time in Al-Anon:
Very gradually, in Al-Anon, we come to see the inner meaning of its spiritual teachings. Many of them we have known from childhood, from parental guidance and religious training. Yet we find there has been a wide gap between what we learned, and how we apply it to our daily living.
In Al-Anon, I discover two roadblocks that have kept me from seeing the value and comfort of the spiritual approach: self-justification and self-righteousness. The first gives a grim certainty that I’m always right; the second smothers me in the delusion that I’m better than other people—“holier than thou.”
Today’s Reminder:
Al-Anon offers this effective magic in helping us overcome the damage due to self-justification and self-righteousness: Examine your motives. What answers would I give if I stop in the middle of such rationalizing and ask myself: “Why am I doing this? Is this justification really honest? Are these rational reasons for my action?”
“I pray for the progress that is possible when I am completely honest with myself. On that foundation, I can build a good life.”
“If thou be wise, thou shalt be wise for thyself…” — Proverbs