LOOK WHO LOSES – “There are many distracting influences that can divert us from our primary purpose. For instance, our groups may be tempted to … talk about some controversy.” “But each time our focus is diverted from our primary purpose, the addict seeking recovery loses out.” (It Works, How & Why, p. 118)
“In a controversy the instant we feel anger we have already ceased striving for the truth, and have begun striving for ourselves.”
– Gautama Buddha (563-483 B.C.), Hindu Prince and founder of Buddhism
Brief Buddha Bio (3:40)
King of Anything – Sara Bareilles (3:23)
Discovering Life’s Purpose & Trusting the Universe Meditation (1:03:24)
The Father and His Sons :
A father had a family of sons who were perpetually quarreling among themselves. When he failed to heal their disputes by his exhortations, he determined to give them a practical illustration of the evils of disunion and for this purpose he one day told them to bring him a bundle of sticks.
When they had done so, he placed the faggot into the hands of each of them in succession and ordered them to break it in pieces. They tried with all their strength and were not able to do it. He next opened the faggot, took the sticks separately, one by one and again put them into his sons’ hands upon which they broke them easily.
He then addressed them in these words, “My sons, if you are of one mind and unite to assist each other, you will be as this faggot, uninjured by all the attempts of your enemies. But if you are divided among yourselves, you will be broken as easily as these sticks.”
In Union there is strength. Divided we fall. United we stand.
My emotions are hard to tame. I get distracted and pulled into other people’s energy. I need to focus on my own health.
I see my primary purpose in life is to be as loving as I can possibly be. when I feel my heart racing and anger start to take hold , I try to remember the big picture and what I really want from my interactions with others.
Does one know one’s purpose in life? I’m not sure. Once we decide what our purpose is, then we don’t allow ourselves any other possibilities. I know what type of life I want to have and the type of person that I strive to be. When these aspirations are hampered, then that is an indication that I need to engage in self-evaluation.
Before I came to Al-Anon, I did not allow myself to feel anger. I just acted out passive-aggressively. Now I allow myself to feel – feel anger, happiness, confusion. I am slowly learning to express my anger now. I know intellectually how to verbally express anger and I am still too afraid to do so. I have been advised that this is not something I can do alone. There is so much help available and I’m afraid of that as well. I grow and learn in the Program – one day at a time.