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.
Hey guys. I miss you and this board. I have been thinking about MIP quite a bit as I took over family programming at the new treatment center I am working at. Working with the families has been hard work but an honor. If I did not know alanon, I would be at a severe disadvantage and I owe almost all my knowledge of the alanon program to this site. It made me a far better person and a better counselor. There have been rough times, the treatment center where I was a director went under and I struggled to find my way. I got fired once at a place that was a bad fit before finding where I work now which I absolutely love and am giving everything I have to this place. It is a music based rehab and taps my creativity to the max. I have created programming where I had clients produce "Recovery The Musical" where they performed 3 acts "What it was like, what happened, and what it's like now." One of our staff is a member of Aerosmith so we get some very talented clients, albeit addicts.
In any case, I wanted to check in and say thank you. I had my own experiences of being in a relationship with an alcoholic, but what I learned here at MIP about parents and others in relationships with addict was priceless - not to mention the alanon program itself. I am doing family program this weekend. Lots of tears - I am working from my spirit, my heart, and with a knowledge base that you all highly contributed to (masters degrees only took me so far).
Personally, Chuck and I are doing well. One dog passed away and we got a new puppy. So back to 7 animals (2 birds, 2 cats, 3 dogs). I will be 10 years sober this year - God willing.
Great to see you Pink! It sounds like you've found a wonderful, awesome opportunity to do you, and you're getting paid for it - SWEET!!!
Sorry about the loss of your fur-baby.....congrats. on the new addition to the family. I love that you all are able to parent so many animals and just feel in my heart that all of you are blessed to be a family together.
Keep doing what you're doing - it looks awesome on you! Keep coming back - we do miss you!
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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
Mark!!! That is so wonderful to hear! Your post brought tears to my eyes knowing that what you are doing is helping families and serving them with music and your own sobriety, from your heart. What a beautiful testament to recovery in action.
We miss having you around here but so glad you are doing well! Love and hugs to you, my friend!
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Never grow a wishbone where your backbone ought to be!
Hi, pinkchip, thanks for posting, these kinds of positive shares really lift me up :) Its good to hear you are doing well, and enjoying your job a lot! That's really important as it takes up so much of our lives.
That is wonderful that you found a work space that fits well for you. There is nothing like personal experience, wisdom hard earned , gratitude and humbleness to help other people in similar situations. Your own ten year sobriety, provides a beacon of hope for suffering families. I remember listening to some of the counsellors at the treatment center share there stories with us at family week and I was so grateful. I desperately needed to see some hope and see someone prospering at that point.
Four months ago i went to a reunion- of the rehab I attended in 1984 and '87.
It was an awesome experience... really it attracted the best of the winners. I have really mixed feelings about treatment centres and rehabs- do they actually work?
I do not believe that addiction is the primary issue. It is a symptom. I really believe that anxiety and personal trauma is the real issue.
I used music a lot in my recovery. Also a form of journalling, I chose to call "squirrelling" which is a group based activity- online. Also connection- communication, reaching out- in any way possible.
I am a work in progress- my two different groups are a work in progress. And so too is the treatment industry. Two big cliches- its a learning curve, and it is a journey!
We can gain so much by working together- sharing our ESH.
Having a seamless flow between 12 step groups- and the clinical sector is a great thing!
Hi Mark-- Miss you and am so pleased that your alanon experience is adding to your many abilities to work with others who suffer from this dreadful disease.
I am so sorry to hear about the loss of your little dog however it sounds as if the menagerie is still going strong.:) best wishes to Chuck and yourself
