Skip to main content

One Day at a Time in Al-Anon:

There are questions—and many of us ask them—that lead us straight down the dead end street of frustration: “Why can’t he…?” — “What is he up to?”—“Why can’t I make him see…?”
They’re simple, but they say a lot. They reveal our conviction that we’re in control — that we know what ought to be done — that our wisdom is greater than someone else’s. They lead to frustration because we’re not in control — of anyone or anything but ourselves.

In his book, The Sign of Jonas, the noted writer Thomas Merton says: “Stop asking yourself questions that have no meaning. Or if they have, you’ll find out when you need to — find out both the questions and the answers.”

Today’s Reminder:

I will rather ask myself “What prompts me to do or say things that cause trouble?” – “Why do I concentrate on someone else’s shortcomings instead of my own?” To such questions I can find the answers – if I dig deeply and honestly enough.

“Speculating on other people’s attitudes and motives is a waste of time and effort. To search out the reasons for my own is a voyage of discovery!”

From the book “One Day at a Time in Al-Anon”. © Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc. 1973