When I first got into the program, I saw a sign hanging on the wall of a therapist’s office that read, “When the pain is greater than the fear, then you are ready”—ready to change. But because my fear was so large, it took a lot of pain and a long time to finally confront the reality that living in pain was not sustainable, and as scary as it was, I needed help. I could not do this thing called life all by myself. It takes support to raise a child. I cannot fix myself, and I need a whole lot of help.
I found my support in the rooms of Al-Anon. I found that the help I need does not come in the form of things, although sometimes it can. Mostly the help I need comes in the form of kindness and compassion. Being surrounded by kindness and compassion, I finally learned to tell the truth about my life to others. In learning to tell the truth and to get in touch with how I feel, I began to learn how to sit with my truth and stop running. I learned how to listen to myself and how to trust myself. I learned how to be kind and compassionate to myself.
The kindness and compassion in the support of Al-Anon continues to help reinforce my self-kindness and self-compassion. I, in turn find peace, sanity, and gratitude for my life. From here, I want to give back to others some of the kindness and compassion that I was so generously and unconditionally given.
By Nan E., Texas
Reprinted with permission of The Forum, Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc., Virginia Beach, VA.