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.
Todays reading is about our call to service. The writer describes praying for Gods will to make sure that being called to service is truly that, and not a way to avoid, manipulate or control something going on in life.
When I read this, I remembered the first time I worked the steps. When I got to step 12 I wanted to go and present anything and everything I had learned or figured I knew about the program! My enthusiasm easily spilled over into assuming I knew what was best for anyone whose path I crossed! If I knew someone who once mentioned that he/she was concerned about someones drinking, I was there with every alanon book I had, a list of meetings and where and when they met.
As time has gone on, I can appreciate how important it is for us to share with one another. I am also more aware of what sharing entails- and sometimes listening to what others have to say is just as or more important than immediately offering all of what I think I know. I have also learned that being a witness, listening to others is as important a form of service as any other.
I am grateful that we are here and able to share with one another about our experiences. I know that when I felt that washed ashore and not sure where I am and what Im supposed to do feeling in my life, I found this site and the program and my life started to change.
Good Morning Mary love this topic. I know that 'service in A;anon-- chairing a meeting, sponsoring another, talking to a troubled new comer have all helped my recovery . Sharing what i have learned is an effective way to reinforce the message to myself.
And indeed, Betty, sharing what I have learned is an effective way to reinforce that message to myself! I have come to learn that not everyone is ready to look deeply at themselves or their situations... they are not yet ready to dip their toes into Al-Anon and all it has to offer. I recently had a friend ask about what I thought about the program, and her struggles with her husband's drinking. I shared what I felt was the strongest thing I learned from my program, and how I entered and stayed in program. Then I told her about where my meeting is held, and about the MIP forum. That was it. It was probably 4 sentences. But the seeds of change were planted. In the past, I would've done as Mary wrote... brought out my literature, spoke on and on about what they need to do with the program. So wanting to "fix" them! I am grateful that I can now pause, step back and understand that I don't need to fix anyone... they are not broken... they are just looking for information. So I share my Experience, Strength, and Hope!
My team has a BYE this week, so I will probably get a lot done! LOL! Enjoy your Sunday everyone!
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"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
Sometimes service begins with collecting the key to the meeting. Sometimes with hanging up the banners. For me- I plan to look seriously at Tradition 5 in the new year. I am reviewing a whole lot of stuff [step 10]. Looking at both the goods and the bads. I am the only active member of Alanon in my community- and have to go to a neighbouring community for a meeting.
This morning I have been watching some CAL approved you-tube clips about Alanon outreach. In our valleys here some of the drug and alcohol treatment councillors believe in controlled drinking and will not refer to AA, or Alanon. Another worker I approached objected to the higher power element in our programme. This is over a number of years, mind you.
So my focus has been on having healthy members, and healthy groups. And my pet phrase is always: "let it begin with me".
So being with MIP Alanon has bin a great boon for me... ...I see healthy Alanon being demonstrated day by day.
My plan is to cover Step 12 next month- on our Steps forum here, and travelling down through the gorge to my neighbouring meeting. And then looking at Tradition 5 early next year.
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