Tearing down walls to let recovery in

Looking back on my life, I discovered that I have built many bridges without realizing it, some of which were not wise. I have also built many walls. During the active drinking days, I built a wall around myself and no bridge could reach me. I was trying to search for a better life, but I could not let the walls down long enough to let a bridge from the outside connect with my inside.

Finally the wall crumbled; I could no longer keep it up with my resentments and anger. I reached out to the bridge that was waiting for me—the bridge to Al-Anon Family Groups. I crossed that bridge into a life that I never thought possible.

I had always had a relationship with a Higher Power, but it wasn’t until I came into Al-Anon that I realized it was not of the depth I wanted it to be. I started my quest for spirituality with the help I received in the meeting rooms and with my Sponsor. Through example, I was shown spirituality by the love, understanding, and support that not only my Sponsor gave me but that all the members of my group gave me. It had been passed on to them through the bridges that our early pioneers had built so many years ago.

Oh, how grateful I am that those bridges were built strong enough to last all these years and are strong enough to continue to be bridges into the future of Al-Anon world wide.

Through my years in Al-Anon I have had many occasions where I have had to reach out and search again to strengthen my spiritual life. When I came into Al-Anon I was naive enough to think that all my problems would be over. How wrong I was. There have been many occasions when all I have had to hang onto was my belief that my Higher Power would get me through.

Each new pain not only strengthened my spiritual life but also made me aware that I must always strive to continue my search for an even deeper relationship with my Higher Power. I know that by continuing to work this program, I will continue to strengthen and energize my spiritual quest.

By Doreen D., North Carolina
The Forum, March 2008

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