The material presented
here is not Al-Anon Conference Approved Literature. It is a method
to exchange
information, ideas, feelings, problems and solutions on a personal
level.
The C2C reading for September 7 talks about Tradition Seven, which states that" Every group should be fully self-supporting declining outside contributions".
Anytime I review the Traditions I always look to see how they can be applied to my own life and circumstances outside the rooms. Being self-supporting, for the Al-Anon group is extremely important because outside influences would try to change the nature of the group if they had the purse strings. The same holds true for my personal life. I can be self-supporting, emotionally, and spiritually by keeping the focus on myself and using Al-Anon recovery.
The reading goes on to explain that"self-supporting" means more than just paying the bills such as the rent or literature purchases. We can make a contribution to our groups, by volunteering for service, by simply listening and attending the meeting regularly, by sharing our experience strength and hope. these are a few ways we can contribute to a group being self-supporting, not just financially.
The thought for the day is from Alateen One day at a Time; "I can support my group in a number of ways, when the basket is passed, I can give what I can, just as important, I can give my time and moral support to help make our group one . I want to belong to. :
I love how the reading suggests that support for our groups can be recognized simply when we simply show up, listen with compassion and empathy. When I first entered program this was all I could do. As I kept , In meditating on the traditions, I try to see how they can be I effective in my own life the beginning of my alanon journey that is all I felt capable of doing. Later on I moved to supporting my group by simply sharing, setting up chairs and volunteering as chairperson and literature person, the more I contributed the more I felt part of and the more my recovery grew
Here on MIP I can contribute by simply welcoming a new comer or by simply encouraging someone by responding to there post in a positive manner.
Thanks Betty for your service and the daily! I can say without a doubt that my best days are those that include much more giving than taking. This means in service, in presence, in attitude and in program. So long as I am able and breathing, I will continue to be of service however I can - it's such a wonderful part of my life and my days.
One of my program friends from another country lost her mother about 10 days ago. She's having a very difficult time as she's not able to travel home. They had the service without her and she's grieving big-time. Many of us have been wrapping her up in our arms/lives to help her keep busy and feel less lonely. She's better each day, very grateful and we all are growing together right now.
Where else can we find this kind of love and support from friends who were strangers a day, week, month or year ago? Love Al-Anon and am so grateful for this program and the traditions that keep us grounded and friction-free!!
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Practice the PAUSE...Pause before judging. Pause before assuming. Pause before accusing. Pause whenever you are about to react harshly and you will avoid doing and saying things you will later regret. ~~~~ Lori Deschene
