
What do you want to let go of? What is preventing you from completely letting go?
Eric was inspired by a meditation he heard on the Insight Timer app, titled She Let Go.
A very rough outline of our conversation follows:
- What does it mean to let go?
- Stop doing things that I don’t have the power to carry out (control someone else, e.g.)
- What am I letting go of?
- Resentment
- Anger
- Anxiety
- Blame
- Fear
- Shame
- Expectations
- Catastrophizing the future
- The past
- The need to be right, to win, to control
- Old behavior
- “Need” to react to triggers.
- Responsibility
- Dependence on others
- What tools do I have to help me let go?
- Slogans
- Let go and let God.
- How important is it?
- Would you rather be right or be happy?
- Easy does it. (let go of anxiety)
- One day at a time. (let go of worry)
- Live and let live – let go of trying to live someone else’s life for them and live my own
- Neutral responses
- You could be right.
- Oh.
- Random thoughts
- I have no dog in this fight.
- Not my circus, not my monkeys!
- Let go or be dragged.
- Meditation
- “Turned a 12-cylinder type A Leo into a 6 cylinder hybrid. Learned to slow down.”
- “Why?”
- “Drill down” to find something I can actually do something about. Example: I am afraid of my loved one’s drinking. Why? I am afraid that I will lose them. Why? I am afraid of being alone.
- Slogans
- When I let go of things I don’t like, I make room for new things (hopefully better things) to come in.
- Recognize “alcoholic” behaviors
- Provoke conflict
- Create anxiety
- When I let go of other people’s stuff, I can live my own life.
Readings and Links
We read from Reaching for Personal Freedom, the Step 1 chapter; Courage to Change, March 5.
The poem “She Let Go” was written by Safire Rose, and you can listen to it on Insight Timer, read by Jack Godsman.
Al-Anon books can be purchased online at the Al-Anon Store.
Patti asked about episodes on regaining trust. There are 3 about trust: How do you trust? – Episode 281, Trust and Trustworthy – Episode 228, and Trust – Episode 91. In addition, this search turns up other shows where trust was a topic in some respect: https://therecoveryshow.com/tag/trust/
Jillian asked about all the songs we've suggested. Many of them are in The Recovery Show playlists on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/user/therecoveryshow
Upcoming topics
An upcoming topic is being a single parent and business owner in recovery. Do you have a similar experience in your life that you would like to share? Please call us at 734-707-8795 or email feedback@therecovery.show with your questions or experience, strength and hope. Or just leave a comment right here.
Music from the Show
Donna wrote to recommend this Al-Anon talk. She said “I found it captivating, helpful, and hilarious.”
I just found your show. I’m struggling with my BF’s addiction and the pain of witnessing his pain.
Listening to this episode helped me stay focused and the power of letting God ✨️.
Thank you
Could you please share a link to the Insight Timer meditation Eric mentioned?
It is https://insighttimer.com/
Also available in the app store for your phone (ipHone or Android).