How do you practice the Al‑Anon Declaration, “Let It Begin with Me”?
September’s topic is, “How do you practice the Al‑Anon Declaration, ‘Let It Begin with Me’?” As always, you can also write about Al‑Anon’s three Legacies. This month features Step Nine, Tradition Nine, and Concept Nine.
Sharings on the Member Blog may be used in future Al‑Anon publications.
New topics are being added each month!
Putting down the magnifying glass and picking up the mirror allows me to show others, by my own example, what is important to me. Pointing out the faults of others was none of my business. Bringing the victim mentality of my childhood into my adulthood greatly distorted my thinking. People made choices for themselves; they were not doing them “to me”. I had to learn to Qtip (quit taking it personal). The only thing I am responsible for is myself: my behaviors, words, and actions. My changed attitudes were noticed by my loved ones and even my acquaintances. My recovery… Read more »
“Let It Begin with Me” means to me that I put God and me first. God loves ME. It is so hard for me to comprehend that He truly loves me unconditionally, but when I wrap myself in a big warm fuzzy blanket and feel that it’s God wrapping His arms around me, it gives me the reassurance that He is there, He loves me. I sit every morning with my blanket wrapped around me, talk to Him like a friend, listen to Him speak to me, and start my day with a warm glow emanating from my heart. When… Read more »
My favorite page is Page 215 (August 2) in the One Day at a Time in Al-Anon book. My sponsor assigned it to me early in recovery and told me to read it every day. I still do. It is very marked up and is a perfect instruction on how to relate to my fellow human beings.
“Let It Begin with Me” lowers my hands to my side so I stop pointing the finger at someone else. This is first and foremost the best way for me to start the day. Even before morning prayer and meditation I can say this to myself to remind me that my recovery is the most important to me. It also helps reminds me that I have no business in others’ recovery, and helps me to remember to lower my hands to my side when talking to people so my finger does not point their way. In the past I tried… Read more »
Doing what I tell others to do… take care of themselves first. Don’t just say it but do it, and be an example
“Let It Begin with Me” helps me on so many levels. For instance, I must turn away from things and people that annoy me and think how I could work on those habits in my own life. Also as a single person, I have learned there is no waiting for someone else to take care of me. There can be no spending all my energy on others and waiting for it to come back to me. Self-care begins with me. Not only must I have enough energy when I come home to eat right but if I want to have… Read more »
I want the Al-Anon program to continue. It is too valuable to let it weaken or die away because of lack of support from members. Every aspect of the program depends on people doing the work to keep the program strong, healthy, and available. I don’t see myself serving at the big level, like producing new literature, organizing conferences, developing the Website and other inovations to meet evolving times and needs. But I do see myself serving my little group by ordering literature, distributing flyers around town, being a Sponsor, helping the group adapt to changing times and needs, and… Read more »
I practice “Let It Begin with Me” when a loved one or some other person crosses me in some way that I perceive to be wrong. An example is to be treated rudely by a person in a shop. I could be rude back or practice Al-Anon and say a silent prayer for the person and not take it personally. Before the program, I always took events/situations personally. I do not know what any person is going through on a daily basis, therefore, I try to practice compassion and kindness.
Let It Begin With Me… and why not? Someone has to begin, why not me? Begin what? Taking care of myself what a novelty, doing for myself for a change, loving myself so much that my desires are fulfilled rather than waiting for someone else to do so. Who better to know my own desires. Be a leader, show how life can be fulfilled.
I had a hard time to conceive the Al-Anon Declaration, when I first came the program, as I stumbled over the words “Let It Begin with Me”. The rest of the Declaration was a “it goes without saying” and I was ready for it, or so I thought. “Let It Begin with Me” seemed a little selfish and self-centered for somebody like me, who was raised to give generously and sometimes even forget about myself in the process. Being generous, even to the detriment of oneself, almost seemed a virtue! I know I interpreted the meaning “Let It Begin with… Read more »
I try to remember as I enter the room where my home group meets each week what I was like the first time I showed up. It wasn’t that long ago. It was Jan. 2020 before COVID. I’ve come so far and grown so much. I arrived broken, and gradually I began to heal. I remember crying the entire first meeting. I distinctly recall how people there were smiling and hugging. They acted as if they were glad to be there. Gradually I came to realize that they genuinely were glad to be there, and they made me feel welcome… Read more »
I recently practiced this concept while on vacation. My elderly mother (93) shared part of the time at our family “retreat” with us. Mom is the alcoholic in my life and is an adult child of an alcoholic (my grandfather). His disease was her family’s secret and remained hidden from me until after my freshman year in college. She was determined we wouldn’t know of her dark days and that her family would be perfect. She used shame as a way of encouraging compliance with her ideals and to this day takes great pleasure in telling stories that make other… Read more »
Opening to the preface, ix, in Paths to Recovery, Al-Anon’s Steps, Traditions, and Concepts, the generous tone and spirit of the program welcomes me with the reassuring words that when anyone, including myself, reaches out for help, the hand of Al-Anon will be there. This was certainly true when I first arrived at a meeting and felt the inclusive fellowship that opened up for me in my need. “Let It Begin with Me”, over time, became a deeper commitment to also reach out to those new members in search of help and understanding, and ongoing within any group or meeting… Read more »
I am fairly new to Al-Anon, so perhaps my experience, strength, and hope will be limited. However, I do hope it finds its way into someone’s heart. For me, I know I need to write it, to let it go, and to pass it on. How do I use “Let it Begin with Me”? Each day I need to remember that I am the one who needs to get well. It is so easy for me to look at the alcoholic(s) in my life and think about how they need to get well. I am sure I am not alone… Read more »
I practice “Let It Begin with Me” by doing the work necessary to make adjustments, changes, and corrections to my behavior and actions. I try to set an example for others, instead of expecting others to change for me.
For me, spiritual life is not a theory. I have to live it. My spiritual condition is contingent on living comfortably with ego deflation at depth, surrender, humility and conscious contact with my unsuspected inner resource every day. This is how over 39 years of going to meetings, love, recovery, and service in our fellowship, I learned to accept and love myself. It’s changed me into a person beyond my wildest dreams. It’s the spiritual springboard which empowers me to love you, and there’s nothing you can do about it.