'Insanity' versus 'in sanity' --
making space for serenity serenity
I had an enlightening moment when I was taking my morning bath. I was thinking about Steps One and Two, the insanity of my life before the Al-Anon program, and my choice to want to live my life in sanity. Then these two terms popped up clearly in my mind: "insanity" versus "in sanity."
What's the difference in these words? They have the same number of letters-but the difference in emphasis changes the whole meaning...
And then I got it—there's a space between them! For me that space—in relation to living with the effects of alcoholism—signifies the Al-Anon program and my recovery. It means:
- Taking a step back to give myself space to breathe before deciding what action to take
- Holding myself back from saying potentially damaging words to my husband when I feel resentful, angry, or hurt about his actions when he's drinking
- Detaching with love when my husband is actively drinking
- Giving myself and my husband the space we both need to work our programs, without interfering
I now know that my recovery is all about that small space—that breath or that pause—that allows me to detach. "Insanity" or "in sanity"? I know which way I will be living my life!
By Jan, United Kingdom
The Forum, January 2008
Reprinted with permission of The Forum, Al-Anon Family Group Hdqts., Inc., Virginia Beach, VA.