One Day at a Time in Al-Anon:
My attitude toward another — whether drinking or not — can have untold influence on the life of my family. Perhaps, through long drinking years, I acquired the habit of tearing him down, showing my contempt for his actions, indignation at the neglect of obligations. I am responsible for the consequences of such attitudes. Even a little understanding and compassion will show us that our behavior is ego-destroying, and the ego of the drinker is already painfully battered by guilt and fear.
Today’s Reminder:
I never want to forget that my spouse, with whatever faults he or she may have, is a child of God, and is therefore entitled to my respect and consideration. I will guard against assuming the role of judge and punisher, for I cannot destroy another person without inflicting great damage on myself.
“It is easy, terribly easy,
to shake a man’s faith in himself.
To take advantage of that to break a man’s spirit,
is devil’s work.”
— G. B. Shaw, Candida