Alanon Slogans and their Meanings

LET GO AND LET GOD
Every day there are decisions to be made and problems to be solved. When you notice irritations growing into tensions, tensions into near-panic, and old fears returning, this is the time to stop short and turn to God. You can do nothing anyway, and you will find that if you supply the willingness He will supply the power.

FIRST THINGS FIRST
Many of our confusions and frustrations are due to our failure to deal with tasks and problems in the order of their importance. It does take discipline to put aside the things we'd rather do, and attend to those of first importance FIRST. But the rewards are great: we get things done, we enjoy a sense of accomplishment, and we learn to face issues with a real sense of value and purpose.

LIVE AND LET LIVE
This is a reminder that most of us need- often. We need to make ourselves realize that we are not equipped to judge or criticize others for what they are or do. Our only concern should be our own conduct, our own improvement, our own lives. Each of us is entitled to his own view of things, but we have no right to inflict it on anyone else.If there are differences of opinion in your group, try to treat them
objectively.

EASY DOES IT
When we come into Al-Anon, burdened with problems and confusions, we are confronted with a bright light of hope. This may tempt us to try too hard to learn too quickly, all there is to learn about the program. "If we could only grasp the magic formula that is doing so much for the others," we think. But alas, it is not magic, but a philosophy of living, to be learned slowly and patiently, and absorbed into our hearts and minds. Easy does it. If you approach each meeting, each problem, each step,in a relaxed frame of mind, what you need will come to you, and much more quickly than if you strained and hurried. Easy does it. Readjusting your life and changing old habits takes time, and easy does it best.

BUT FOR THE GRACE OF GOD
It is well to remind ourselves, when we are resentful and embittered over an alcoholic's behavior, that it was not his choice to carry this burden of misery and despair. But for the Grace of God, we might have been afflicted by this sickness. Let us be thankful that we have the blessing of sobriety, and be willing to help the alcoholic find this blessing, too.