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.
Yesterday I participated in our Al-Anon district's all-day conference, and I was looking for a place to just sit and be quiet for a while. There was quiet meditation room, but when I went there it wasn't quiet enough for me. I looked at the workshop schedule and decided to go to the session that was hosted by a Spanish-speaking meeting. I don't speak Spanish, so I figured I could just sit in the back and quiet my mind, as I literally would not be able to speak to the group.
As I sat and listened, most of the sharing was just "background sounds" to me ... but here and there, words that I could understand floated up to my awareness: alcohólico (I know what that is), mi familia (my family), recuperación (recovery), and others. I didn't speak the language, but I understood the stories. All I could do was shut up and listen.
They welcomed me at the beginning and hugged me at the end.
It was a great experience of meditation, acceptance, and understanding, in any language.
Such an interesting and uplifting share, Freetime. It sounds like you got more out of attending a meeting that you could minimally understand, vs. finding a totally quiet spot to meditate. Also sounds like HP and a life lesson was at work.
Thank you for sharing your experience; it made me smile and again shake my head how we are led where we are supposed to be!
Awesome share and what a gift recovery gives us!!! This reminds me that before I came, I would never have done something like this - I had too much fear or concern of judgement to try something new or unusual. Way to work it - looks so awesome on you!!!
__________________
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
"The wolf that thrives, is the one you feed." - Cherokee legend
"Hello, sun in my face. Hello you who made the morning and spread it over the fields... Watch, now, how I start the day in happiness, in kindness." Mary Oliver
Aaaaahhhh your Higher Power at it's best. I love the "I don't know and I get it" consequence. Could you feel your HP sitting next to you with her head on your shoulder and holding your hand? Mahalo for this share.