One Day at a Time in Al-Anon:
Quite frequently we hear a member say that a certain action on the alcoholic’s part shows his immaturity. This is a favorite label for “what ails him,” and according to experts, it is often true.
We come to Al-Anon, however, not to take inventory of others, but of ourselves. It is because we, too, are immature individuals that we are attracted to alcoholics as marriage partners — a sort of child-calling-to-child.
If immaturity is giving me trouble, I will examine my own reactions, and work on them.
Wrangling with the alcoholic over petty matters is immature. So are sulking and tears and devious tricks to outwit him. So are many other things some of us do, at least some of the time.
Today’s Reminder:
The task is clearly set before me: to fix what’s out of kilter with me; to check my temptation to play childish games in a deadly serious human dilemma. Correcting my own shortcomings will improve matters for everyone concerned.
“Maturity is the capacity to withstand ego-destroying experiences, and not lose one’s perspective in the ego-building experiences.” — Robert K. Greenleaf