One Day at a Time in Al-Anon:
“Listen and learn” is the Al-Anon prescription. We could all make good progress if only we would cultivate the knack of listening – uncritically to everything we hear at a meeting, or from an Al-Anon friend.
It sometimes happens that the words of those who are unschooled, or those who are negative and confused, can bring us a sudden gem of thought that will help us. If we’re concentrating on dark thoughts about our own problem, we could be missing something that might help us overcome them. If we are contemptuous of some downtrodden, unkempt mortal, using ungrammatical language, our attitude may deprive us of an unexpectedly helpful idea.
Today’s Reminder:
An old hymn says: “I will listen for Thy voice, lest my footsteps stray”, which may remind us that His voice speaks to us even through the least of His children.
The essential quality of good listening is humility. A holier-than-thou attitude can block out much that we need for our guidance.
“It is the privilege of wisdom to listen.”
—O. W. Holmes