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Sharings on the Al-Anon
Slogans:
The Al-Anon Slogans include simple but powerful,
easy-to-remember suggestions that members have found helpful for coping with a
variety of circumstances. We created this page for members to share with others
about how they utilize the slogans in their daily lives. We’ll emphasize a
different slogan each month.
We’d like to
hear from YOU about your experiences with the Al-Anon slogans! Please contact us
at afgdistrict5@gmail.com
to share. You can send as many sharings as you like, and you can write as
little or as much as you like. We will be grateful for whatever you share!
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Sharings on the Al-Anon slogans: |
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Think! |
¨ The slogan
"Think" reminds me to do just that before I speak or act. Is it
thoughtful or kind? Or is it rude or judgemental? What will the impact
be for what I want to say or how I want to act towards others? When I
"think" before acting out or saying something that may be hurtful,
I save myself and others from experiencing a bad thought or feeling.
I am so gratefull for this slogan and what I have learned in
Al-Anon.~Terri B. (posted 01/03/12) ¨ Think is one of my favorite
slogans. What it tells me to do is
stop, take a few deep breaths and think before I speak. So many times when I am reacting to a
situation I will open my mouth and insert my foot! Thankfully if I can remember this slogan I
stop, take a step back from the situation and think about what I am going to
say. Sometimes I need not say anything
which is very hard for me. I am so
thankful to be in the fellowship of Al-Anon today and I am so blessed to have
the Al-Anon tools to use which enrich my life. Thanks for listening. ~ Barb
S. (posted 01/03/12) ¨ I think that my
thinking becomes distorted. I am never sure that what I am thinking is even
relating to what is going on at the time. The one thing I do not have to
think about & wonder is in Al-Anon. I can saywhat is on my mind without
critisim and that no matter the time of day, I can pray to God, to help me
through and guide me. ~ Lois L. (posted 01/03/12) ¨ Think, Think,
Think!! In A.A. there are the questons you answer to see if you might have a
drinking problem. In Al-Anon I can
substitute the word “thinking” for “drinking”. Some examples are: 1. Is your family worried about your thinking? 2. Do you want
to think First thing in the morning? 3. Is your thinking interfering with
your job? If I am honest, I can
say”yes” to those questions. That is
why I need Al-Anon and the fellowship I find there. The meetings help me to
think about the positive things in my life and slow down my brain enough to
enjoy life. So if I feel like thinking to much, I probably need a meeting. ~
Lisa T. (posted 01/03/12) ¨ “Always think
before you speak”, Thinking and analizing the situation before acting so
quickly, can result in a better outcome, as instead of a hasty decision.
Making rash, unthought of decisions can result in something you didn’t want
to hear or see. ~ anonymous (posted 01/03/12) ¨ Think! I was raised
to think before talking which I believe has been both good and bad. People
often give up before I’ve had a chance to respond. People may think I don’t care or don’t
share myself because I think more than I speak. Thinking first can be a good thing that you
don’t hurt others by first blurting out. ~ anonymous (posted 01/03/12) ¨ Think! What an
important Al-Anon Tool to give some thought and effort to: NOT to always
speak the first thing that comes to my mind, whether it has to do with myself
or someone else. If I’m honest about
working a recovery program, this slogan tells me to always THINK first!
~anonymous (posted 1/03/12) ¨ Think! Take time to
pray, Help others, I will always go to meetings, Never hurry, Know I am Loved.
~ anonymous (posted 01/03/12) ¨ Think! Sometimes I
do not think first. As soon as it
comes out of my mouth, I know I can’t take it back. The slogans literaly save
my life in many ways. I am so blessed
to have the Al-Anon program that gives me the tools to live my life in
recovery. ~ Mary Lou L (posted 01/03/12) ¨ Responding to this
month's Al-Anon slogan, "Think," I would like to share a personal
experience in which I attempted to apply this to a recent situation.
About two weeks ago I began reading about the Al-Anon word "Think",
knowing how often I react to situations without giving mature thought to my
actions. Anyway, I walked in one evening after work to the usual chaos
that seemed to be intensified by other personal problems affecting our
family’s life. This particular night I found my little boy throwing a
tantrum over a missed opportunity to watch a cartoon. My dogs barked in
unison with his screams of injustice. Still, I attempted dinner asking
for my oldest son's help in food preparation. His reply was a
characteristic belch, walking out of the room. When my oldest daughter
began to practice ballet in the kitchen I nearly let out a torrent of screams
when the word "Think" came to mind. I prayed, while
continuing to work at food prep and then reminded my oldest son of my need
for help in the kitchen. Eventually we all found our way in the family
room and enjoyed our evening together but I must say that this would not have
happened without the word "Think" on my brain. ~ Lisa (posted
01/30/12) |
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First Things
First |
¨ When reading up on this slogan I found
this quote in the How Al-Anon Works book: "First
things first” encourages us to take a moment to set priorities. Before we react, we can ask oursleves what
is our primary importance". I really
like this slogan because loving an active alcoholic can distort my priorities
for attending to my own needs. I am
quick to jump when my loved ones are barking orders but tend to be slack on
doing what I need to do for me. “First
things first” reminds me to add myself to my priority list and also add
having fun to my list. So often my
life can be full of worry for the alcoholic and I forget that it is OK for me
to be happy and to have fun. Thanks for listening. ~Barb S. (posted 02-03-12) ¨ I have to be willing to take care of my
needs first and not always be at everyone’s feet trying to be the nice
person. It’s ok to be the nice person but I have to be nice to myself first
without thinking I’ll be looked at as a bad mom or friend. ~anonymous (posted
02-03-12) ¨ When I hear this slogan, it puts a new
view of life issues. It means start with the most important fact, then to do
the next important one and so on. Also, Instead of REACTING to things, I
really weigh what is the best thing to work on. ~Anonymous (posted 02-03-12) ¨ First I need to think of myself and not
worry about everyone else. When I have
a plan, then I can share if I choose, keep it to myself or state as a matter
of fact that these are the things I need. Only I can make myself happy. The
decision is mine to make. ~Lois L. (posted 02-03-12) ¨ “First things first” helps me to calm down the chaos
(overwhelming) and let serenity begin to fill my mind. I can make a mistake
on priorities but things still get done and I feel less crazy when “First
things first” brings priorities and order to my thoughts. ~Anonymous (posted
02-03-12). ¨ Finding answers I can live with…I have
been telling my family and his family I will act, creat boundaries and follow
through in ways you may not understand but in ways that I can live with and I
can live with myself. Putting first
things first: Self preservaton. The questions for myself: Am I living with my
answers or just barly surviving. ~Anonymous (posted 02-03-12). ¨ Reassurance in
times of trouble is a fundamental need of mine. First things first means,
stopping to pray and have an attitude of gratitude. Although I feel
desperate, grateful words sound better than desperate ones. The earliest
memory of prayer I have is in church as a child. A good teacher told me that
God loves children. I figured God loved me after that. I learned I was deserving and that I was important in Gods eyes.
Later, as a teen, I believed being unique was all right with God and I used
walks in nature to connect with a higher power. As an adult, my first thought
was of being protected by this higher power. Now as a mature adult, “First
things first” might mean I need to take care of myself and be patient while I
learn. “First things first” might also mean to praise myself more and use gentle
words during times of learning when I don't understand things yet. Sometimes
taking care means I need a walk and a break. I go reconnect with my higher
power and calm down. Patient, wise, and calm are my “First things first”
attributes. ~ Jan T. (posted 02-09-12) ¨ “First things first” is a very important slogan for me. I
am a very task drivin person. I plan out my day and hope to complete it by
the end of the day. Many times my plan
does not work and I have to change course. I try to put God first and do the
very best I can with my day. I have found that being flexible is very
important for me to remember. My day goes much better if I go with the flow
for the day and do ”First things first”. ~ Mary Lou
L. (posted 02-09-12) |
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Just
For Today |
¨ This is one of my
favorite slogans because it is something I can commit to. “Just for today” I commit to not tackling
all my problems at once. “Just for
today” I commit to not dwelling on my past.
I also commit to try to do something good for myself today. I can relax and watch a TV program, read a
book or take a nap. Also, “Just for
today” I will try to be gentle with myself. I am trying very hard to work my
Al-Anon program and grow in new ways that will bring me peace and
serenity. If I just live in today and go
to Al-Anon meetings on a consistent basis I know I will be able to find that
peace I am looking for. Thanks for listening! ~Barb S. (posted 03-05-12) ¨ “Just for today” I will
focus on the blessings in my life and I choose to let the negatives go!! ~Anonymous (posted 03-09-12) ¨ “Just for today” I am grateful to have a safe place to go
to (Al-Anon) and have friends whom have experienced some of the same or like
experiences. The Sharings of these wonderful people have gotten me to a place
of Peace & Serenity. Today this is what I am truly Grateful.~ Anonymous (posted 03-09-12) ¨ “Just for today” I will take a break by visiting the
library. ~ Anonymous (posted 03-09-12) ¨ “Just for today” I do appreciate my indoor plumbing and
hot water heater. I also appreciate my
warm bed, the breakfast, the morning walk, and work to go to. I focus on getting going and seeing the
good in the day, the light and the hope for a good morning. I love my cat and plan my activities with a
prayer for protecton from my higher power. ~ Jan T. (posted 03-09-12) ¨ “Just for today” I will try not to be provoked into
anger.~Lois L. (posted 03-23-12) ¨ “Just for today” I can be at peace with only self. I will
enjoy a beautiful day. I am a better person for Al-Anon and the people in the
meeting.~Cheryl B. (posted 03-23-12) ¨ I love this slogan that helps me to stay in this 24 hours (One Day at a Time)! The welcome packet
bookmark is a great tool for my recovery. ~Anonymous (posted 03-23-12) |
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Let It Begin
With Me |
¨ I really like this slogan
because it’s an action slogan. I am
the kind of person that likes to stay busy so when I am given a task I get
right to it. With this slogan “Let It
Begin With Me” it tells me that I need not worry
myself with what everyone else is doing and put the focus on me. What are my likes? What hobbies could I get involved
with? How could I improve my
life? These are all things that begin
with me because I am the only one that can figure out the answers. I have spent way too much of my life taking
care of everyone else’s needs and wants and not addressing mine. This slogan reminds me to mind my own
business and have some business to mind! Thanks for listening.~ Barb S.
(posted 04-01-12) ¨ This is a perfect slogan for this time of year. I
often hear the old hymn, "Let There Be Peace On
Earth." The last words of the song are "Let it Begin With Me." How appropriate. When thinking
of peace, it is something we are all working towards. Peace within ourselves, and peace for our qualifier(s). “Let It
Begin With Me” reminds me that I am in control of
myself, and if I act peacefully, it can pass on to others around me.
Even in the midst of chaos, I can choose to let chaos take control of me, or
I can take control and start a movement towards peace. It is a gift of
my Higher Power to have peace, and a little break between chaotic
storms. “Let it Begin With Me” allows me to be
refreshed and have a new perspective of the situation around me. I can
also be a positive example to others on how NOT to react to the erratic
behavior of alcoholism. “Let it Begin With Me”
today, and let me make a step towards growth and serenity. My qualifier
will never stop drinking, but I am beginning to stand on my own two
feet. I have a clearer vision of the path ahead of me, and I know there
will be difficulties, but they will not be such a burden to bear. In
Al-Anon, I know I am not carrying the burden alone, I have my Al-Anon family
to love me for who I am.~ Robin W. (posted 04-05-12) ¨ I love this SLOGAN: It is important to keep the focus on
myself and be willing to take responsibility for my actions. If recovery
progress is wanted, I have to do it.~Maggie S. Posted 04-23-12 |
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Keep It Simple |
¨
The slogan “Keep it Simple” is one of my favorites. Whenever I get overwhelmed I tell myself to
Keep it Simple.
I tell myself to only do what I need to do for that moment. If I am in a crisis, I can take it one
moment at a time and not try to tackle everything at once. I tend to think I have to have everything
in order all the time which adds a lot of stress to my life. With the slogan “Keep it Simple” in mind, I
remind myself to just tackle what has to be done for that moment. Thanks for listening.~ Barb S. posted
04-25-12 ¨
This reminds me to keep things easy. Sometimes problems can grow bigger and
bigger and get out of control. If I relax and just “Keep it Simple”, I can
keep calm.~Cheryl B. Posted 5-07-12 |
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Listen and Learn |
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Easy Does It |
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How Important Is It? |
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One Day At A Time |
¨
I believe in planning.
But where my son is concerned, I take one day at a time. Today my son is in his third treatment
center for his fifth treatment admission.
I hope this time he will make it through treatment and stay clean and sober. I don’t know what tomorrow will bring, but
today my son is accepting help and that brings me hope. I can’t predict his future or mine, but for
today I feel peace that he is safe, I feel hope that this time will be
different, and I am able to do what I can do to help. When my children were young I had
expectations about their futures that did not include addiction to drugs and
alcohol or the lifestyle that accompanied addiction, nor did I predict that
one day I would attend meetings of Al-Anon. Looking ahead to what I can not
control or predict overwhelms me with fear; “One day at a time” allows hope
to predominate and allows me to move forward one manageable step at a time. ~
David B. (posted 05/23/09) |
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Keep An Open Mind |
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Live And Let Live |
¨ “Live and Let Live” sets us free from the compulsion to
criticize, judge, condemn, and retaliate…which can damage us far more than
those against whom we use such weapons.
Al-Anon helps us to learn tolerance rooted in love. ~Anonymous (posted 03-23-12) |
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Let Go And Let God |
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