If You Leave Me, Can I Come with You?: Daily Meditations for Codependents and Al-Anons . . . with a Sense of Humor - Softcover

B., Misti

Softcover

ISBN 10: 1616496150 ISBN 13: 9781616496159

Publisher: Hazelden Publishing, 2015

Synopsis

Daily meditations that provide healing insight with a lighthearted touch into the common struggles that codependents and those in Al-Anon frequently face.

“By the time I’d gotten to Al-Anon... people responded with ‘Thank God,’ or ‘It’s about time.’ I wasn’t a horrible person. It’s not like I had buried bodies under my floorboards. I was just a little dramatic and a tiny bit controlling.” –Misti B.

Most people in the throes of codependency’s problematic behaviors typically don’t see their plight as a laughing matter. And yet, judging by the peals of laughter often heard coming out of Twelve Step meeting rooms, many eventually do find the humor in their self-defeating thoughts and actions.

If You Leave Me, Can I Come with You? is full of refreshingly original meditations for each day of the year. Infusing her wisdom with self-revealing honesty and humor, Misti B. provides healing insight with a lighthearted touch into the common struggles that codependents and those in Al-Anon frequently face. Issues such as people pleasing, lack of boundaries, and perfectionism don’t have to overwhelm us if we work a solid Twelve Step program and learn not to take ourselves so seriously. Misti B. shows how to do both, delivering the right mix of support, inspiration, and healthy irreverence.

About this title

From the Author

Introduction:
 
Let's face it, Al-Anons aren't especially known for our humor. (Go ahead, do an online search for "Al-Anon" or "co-dependent" and "humor" or "funny"). The silent sufferers--the hall monitors--of the recovery community, Al-Anon lives are the stuff of country music lyrics. We've got a reputation for taking the fun out of a party and popping all the balloons afterwards. Until now.

If You Leave Me, Can I Come With You? Humorous Meditations for Al-Anons & Co-Dependents in Recovery was written to bring humor to anyone recovering from the harsh realities of substance abuse. It's high time we threw a party in honor of our own growth! 

From the Inside Flap

 
December 24
Rush
 
One of the things I remember most about growing up in Crazytown with crazy people during the holidays, was being rushed around to see everyone before the day was over, which was, of course, immensely enjoyable for me.

"Are you done with that slice of turkey?" My mother would say, grabbing the plate out of my hand, "You look full. Your father's waiting outside!"                                 

As a result, in addition to being an extremely fast eater, I became adept at figuring things out. When someone's pulling turkey dinner out of your hands you learn to move fast and make decisions. The upside was, I was in business mode before I'd hit third grade, strategizing about college and negotiating deals with teachers and coaches. The downside was, I was plotting my escape while other kids were, I dunno, eating Christmas dinner and having fun.           

Recovery was hard for me. I couldn't control it or speed it up. I still can't, and I don't like it. But I'm learning to trust my Higher Power. Even when everyone else is going nuts, I might need to just take it easy. Sometimes that means sitting quietly and waiting for answers, at other times, it means trusting my gut and taking action. 


Even if everybody is moving at warped speed, I don't have to join in. I can relish the holidays in my way, at my pace, no matter what other people's agendas are. Lord have mercy, though, on anyone who tries to take my turkey dinner away.

 
In Spite Of Myself: No rushing required, God is taking care of me today.
 

 

 

About this edition

• Publisher: Hazelden Publishing
• Publication date: 2015
• ISBN 10: 1616496150
• ISBN 13: 9781616496159
• Binding: Paperback
• Number of pages: 384