Endigar 774
From Courage to Change of February 11;
Tradition Five helps me to set three goals: to work the Steps for myself; to have compassion for the alcoholics; and to have compassion for those who come to Al-Anon. What strikes me is the amount of love to be found in these three goals. First, I love myself enough to try to heal and grow by working the Twelve Steps. Next, I call upon this strength to love those people I once thought were my enemies, recognizing that they too were struggling to cope with this terrible disease. Finally, I draw upon these experiences and extend love on those who are following a similar journey — the families and friends of alcoholics.
I know that I was pulled from despair by the love of strangers who quickly became friends. Now I have enough love and wholeness within myself to share it with others who suffer from the effects of alcoholism.
Today’s Reminder
I need love before I even know what it was. Now that I understand something about it, I need it even more. By loving myself, I not only take care of my own needs, but I lay a foundation for loving others. By loving others, I learn to treat myself well.
“Each Al-Anon Family Group has but one purpose: to help families of alcoholics. We do this by practicing the Twelve Steps of AA ourselves, by encouraging and understanding our alcoholic relatives, and by welcoming and giving comfort of families of alcoholics.” ~ Tradition Five
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I have heard many things about love over the course of my years. I will quote the random assertions in my brain without citing to facilitate exploration. “God is love.” “Love is not a feeling, it is an act of your will.” “What’s love got to do with it? What’s love but a second-hand emotion?” “I want to know what love is; I want you to show me.” “Love suffers all things – the greatest of these is love.” “Love is connection to yourself and others.” “Love is a chemical reaction.” “Love is a battlefield.” “Love toward God is the greatest commandment, the second greatest is to love your neighbor – if you do not love your brother but say you love God, you are a liar.” “Love conquers all.” “Love hurts. Love scars. Love wounds and mars any heart not tough nor strong enough to take a lot of pain .” “I feel like making love.”
For me, love always involves some assertion of my personal will for the benefit of myself and others. Love is also a realization that care for myself and others is so intimately intertwined that it is, pragmatically speaking, the same thing. Yet there is a mysterious element to love the transcends human speech and yet demands the attempt. Love is a risky journey but the greatest blessings in my life have come from the boldness to go where no Me has gone before in pursuit of love’s fulfillment. Tradition Five is one way to fuel that journey in my life. I am rewarded for overcoming my fears and investing in myself and others.
Daily Reprieve 
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