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.
Years ago- when ah were in Alanon, they had a conscience meeting [I wasn't there] and they allocated me a sponsor. Looking back- I think there was a 'wicked plan' behind that!
Sponsors hubby was in AA- and he started an open sharing meeting- and we went through the Alanon and AA green 12x 12 books together. Several times actually.
When I started with this MIP Alanon and ACA combined I found, along with the steps, I knew the traditions inside out.
What I found, both here in NZ, and also online people used to get stuck with the middle steps. Groups would get bogged down with just about everyone manifesting the old behaviours for the alcoholic homes. People were bossy boots, or whimps, and sometimes both!
It just seemed impossible and chaotic. But deep down it was meant to be... sometimes groups would make up random rules and try and make everyone stick to them. But i had learned- what was permissible, and what was possible, and just weaved through all that.
We do have to maintain safe flexible ad workable boundaries.
I found the easiest way to go- was to just demonstrate what I knew. I will always make mistakes- something NOT allowed in my Foo!!!
But I found it was okay to stumble around in the dark... and try to figure things out!
We have the right to be wrong, was my mantra, for a long time!
Hi David Great topic. I am pleased that you attended the meeting in NY that i support as it is a step and tradition meeting. We embrace both tools equally and I feel that the traditions are golden. They are simple guidelines that keep the rooms safe and members growing. It is up to each individual member to follow the suggestions and any meeting i attended did just that If a member feels the meeting is going off principles they can call a discussion and review the tradition that is not being honored
,..when I came along here my goal-set was on Concept 4. "Participation is the key to harmony".
Groups- where everyone gets to play their part. For our group here- we have a business board, if needed... ... and an MIP business board too. Almost completely devoted to organise our Tradition 7 giving- once a year.
The safeguards are there- but we seldom seem to need them... ...
Interesting shares David and Betty. The steps make complete sense to me and I embrace them. In my F2F meeting we are trying to follow a format where we do a tradition each month. They seem logical but I am having trouble embracing them the way I do the steps. I guess we need the traditions to keep our meetings on course. I hope in time I will see them through a more important light. Lyne
Lyn... ...seeing the traditions- working in practise is helpful... in this group there are 5 or 6 people, maybe more, who are confident with the traditions...
...and the group conscience expresses itself well. ... Reason being that we do attract motivated members, all of whom have a wealth of experience, ...
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