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One Day at a Time in Al-Anon:

What is the greatest hindrance to my achieving serenity?

Determination – the grim resolve that I can do something about everything. This whole feeling of tightening up, girding oneself for battle, can defeat my purpose. Over and over, in a hundred different ways, I learn in Al-Anon that I must let go. It will do nothing constructive for me if I retaliate for injuries I suffer because of the alcoholic. I am not empowered by God to even up scores, and make others ‘pay for what they did to me.” I will learn to relax my stubborn grip on all the details of my sufferings, and allow the solutions to unfold by themselves.

Today’s Reminder:

I am only a small cog in the machinery of the universe; my trying to run things my own way is doomed to failure. A bright and serene success is at hand once I learn to let go. Then I’ll have time to count my blessings, work on my own shortcomings, and enjoy each minute of every day.

“What hurt could it do thee if thou wouldst let it pass and make no account of it? Could it even so much as pluck one hair from thy head?” — Thomas A’Kempis

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