One Day at a Time in Al-Anon:
When we come into Al-Anon, our main pre-occupation is the alcoholism of someone who is important in our lives. Step One says: “Admitted we were powerless over alcohol.” We must sooner or later accept the fact that we have no way to stop the compulsion to drink. The desire for sobriety can come only from the alcoholic.
We may guide or inspire by our example, but we cannot cast another person, however close to us, into the mold that we choose.
The second part of Step One is easier to accept: “…our lives have become unmanageable.” This we know. What we may not know, at this point, is what to do about it.
Today’s Reminder:
I understand that the First Step demands that I surrender the reins of control over other human beings. It reminds me that my life has become unmanageable; my first task is to set it in order. If I earnestly want to manage my life, I will have no time to manage anyone else’s.
“The First Step suggests a radical change in me — in my way of thinking about the alcoholic and my attitude toward him and his illness. Old destructive habit patterns must be replaced…”