How many beginnings do I have in my life? As the world changes, as I change, opportunities for new beginnings appear. Accepting that change is a fact and a reality has certainly helped me in my recovery.

It took time—months, even years of weekly Al‑Anon meetings in my rural town before I recognized how powerless I was to change the person I loved and realized I was trying to control his behavior. I wanted him to have the same dreams I had and to want the same family happiness I wanted. I had thought that I could accomplish this dream if I just prayed with all my heart and studied my religious scriptures. I believed we could be happy if he changed.

Then came Al‑Anon. Step One says, “We admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives had become unmanageable.” This is written in the past tense. Something has already changed. I am looking back. I am standing on the first Step.

As I continued in the Al‑Anon program, each Step I worked on brought me to a new view from a higher position. Over time, as I studied each Step, I finally got to a place where I could “see the future.” I saw new hope and discovered new choices. Now I love waking up to each new day. It may be the usual routine or hold some new experience. But Steps One, Two, and Three always bring renewed hope and new possibilities as I apply them to my life today.

By Rosemarie B.

The Forum, October 2024

Feel free to reprint this article on your service arm website or newsletter, along with this credit line: Reprinted with permission of The Forum, Al‑Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc., Virginia Beach, Virginia, USA.