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!
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 »
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.