There Is Hope
| For me springtime brings a sense of hopefulness, of new things to come, of possibility. I love seeing the trees and flowers start to bud and the grass getting greener after each rainfall. Especially after a long winter, it reminds me that there is always hope. In recovery circles we share our experience, strength, and hope with one another. Meaning, we not only share about how our lives used to be before finding recovery, but we also share what helped us get where we are today and how we keep moving forward, gaining more serenity and peace in all the areas of our lives. On page 12 of “How Al-Anon Works” it says, “We find that there are simple tools that can change the way we feel about ourselves and our circumstances, tools that can help us to get more out of living and to find excitement and opportunity where once we found only a struggle to survive.” One of the best ways I’ve found to learn about these tools is in the sharing of others in an Al-Anon Family Groups meeting. In these groups I am reminded of the hope that exists as I listen to others share their stories of how they have made progress in recovery. This shows me that peace, serenity, contentment, and healing are possible. Another thing that brings me hope is my connection with God. When I can truly trust that God is good and has good for me, that gives me hope that things don’t have to stay the way they are today and that good can come out of “bad” situations. I no longer need to worry about the future or regret the past but can live in today and enjoy it and all it brings. I have heard that “Hope = Possibility”. It’s not so much the belief that something will happen but that it could. The Al-Anon Suggested Welcome states “…in Al-Anon we discover that no situation is really hopeless and that it is possible for us to find contentment, and even happiness, whether the alcoholic is still drinking or not.” Step 3 says “Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.” As I make this decision daily, and trust that God is caring for me and has the best for me, I can have hope that I can be ok no matter what happens in life. ~ Amy Lauber |
| “Recently at a meeting I attended, the topic was hope. The Chairperson shared her thoughts on what hope meant to her by breaking down the meaning of the word letter by letter. Here’s what she shared: H = I hear others share their courage, strength and hope, which can benefit me on my road to recovery. O = I open my heart and mind to different ideas and become willing to consider that what has helped others may help me, too. P = I practice what I learn using the Steps, Serenity Prayer, slogans and other program tools to gain peace of mind. E = I educate myself about the disease of alcoholism, so I can better understand what my loved one is going through. And I use Al‑Anon Literature to work toward recovery.” ~ by Linda C., New Brunswick From: The Forum copyright 2018, by Al‑Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc. Reprinted by permission of Al‑Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc. |
| Quotes |
| “Hope…is an embrace of the unknown. It is a wonderful medicine for my soul, a passion for the possible, and can make the present moment less difficult to bear. Hope gives me direction, energy, and purpose. I have heard people say that hope was the first emotion they felt when they walked into their first Al-Anon meeting. Hope costs nothing and is a renewable option.” ~ Pat R. The Forum March 2020 “God puts rainbows in the clouds so that each of us — in the dreariest and most dreaded moments — can see a possibility of hope.” ~ Maya Angelou “Hope is being able to see that there is light despite all of the darkness.” ~ Desmond Tutu “But those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint.” ~ Isaiah 40:31 |
Past Articles
Acceptance
Acceptance brings me freedom because it allows me to stop fighting against the facts.
The Serenity Prayer
New attitudes often evolve from a new way of seeing.