Keeping by Giving
We have found a new way of life in Al-Anon, and to keep what we have found, we have to continue appreciating the gift and giving it away.
A couple of months ago, my sponsor gently nudged me to share my story at a meeting I’d never attended. My first thought was, “What could I possibly offer strangers?” The idea of standing up there felt utterly vulnerable. But I went, and after the meeting, three different people approached me. One woman, her eyes welling up, simply said, “Thank you. I needed to hear that.”
That drive home, a profound shift happened within me. It wasn't about being generous; it was about opening a channel. My recovery felt solid only when I was willing to share pieces of it, even the messy parts. What I held onto tightly seemed to lose its power, but what I released, what I offered without expectation, somehow grounded me more deeply.
Now, I see this dynamic everywhere. When I listen and truly engage with another Al-Anon member, my own perspective widens. When I sit with my family and practice new communication skills, I feel a quiet strength within myself. This isn't just a principle; it’s an active way of living that keeps my own well-being replenished.
If someone asks how Al-Anon has helped me, I don't need to have the perfect words. I can simply share what's true—what was happening before, what's different now. My honest experience is the gift I have to give.
