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.
This program is for a lifetime. Once you become a member you are always a member. Even when you slip, you can come back. Even when someone is not attending meetings(speaking for myself) It never goes away. You will remember something that you heard at a meeting like the slogans or the serenity prayer that will remind you of where you NEED to be. I would not recommend not going to meetings. I have slipped so many times lately. I forget to work the program. I just want to share a little bit on what I believe. Nothing is as important than being in this program. YOU can try to do other things, but because this is a lifetime program you can't really do anything that gets in the way of your recovery.
I feel welcome wherever I go. Whenever I go to any state or even country, the hand of Al anon. We are all working the 12 steps in any language.
Sometimes I feel like a newcomer even though I have going to meetings for years. I have slipped & sometimes fallen, I have always been picked up by the Al anon program. I never stop learning & growing. I guess I am still a work in progress. Sometimes I am not in a good head-space & I have many difficulties. The I use the serenity prayer or some slogan.
I am finding that even though my AH is in recovery, he can still use his disease to get to me. Just yesterday he said once again that I am a one way street. Other words come right of his mouth that hurt me deeply. I try not to engage but when I do, I say things like you must not know who you are talking to. & the comparison to my mother is out of line.
He even says that we are arguing even when we aren't. It is hard for me to say anything. I try to keep myself in check.
I have to admit I can't be there for others at times. I want to work the 12 step but I am not always prepared for facing another person. But it is nice to see a newcomer come in & 'get' the program. I have an obligation to carry the message to those who want it. I know that I can't give away something I haven't got.
I have a lot of program friends who remind me when I don't have the program or don't work it. I am grateful for the people that have been along the road to the path of wellness.
Take what you like & leave the rest. I am not perfect. Some of these words might be my own opinion. I am human. I make mistakes.
In the meantime I will trudge the road to happy destiny. I hope I will find you there.
Great share Kathleen - so so true! I too am trudging along expecting progress daily vs. perfection. I have learned from all I encounter - new members, long-term members, etc. So grateful that I'm a work in progress in a fellowship of like-minded imperfect lovely people. (((Hugs)))
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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
Hi kathleen I agree. I too have found a slogan or the serenity prayer pop into my head in times of crisis instead of my former anger or panic and am extremely grateful ,
