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 the strength of alanon literature and the support by others in Alanon, especially when getting to in person meetings is not feasible. The writer describes the Lone Member Service; this is something I am not familiar with but it is described as a way for those who are unable to get to meetings to be in touch with Alanon Members for correspondence.
Many of us have been unable to attend in person meetings in the past 6 months, at least for a period of time. Knowing there are other ways to feel the strength of this program is important.
For me the most important part of the help I have found in alanon is consistency. For a long while I attended the same meeting each week. Sharing once a week here, and learning from other shares on this site, has been an invaluable tool for me. I continue to correspond 4x a week with my sponsor. Whatever the strongest iteration of invaluable would be the word to describe all that my relationship with my sponsor has brought me!
Sometimes I remember how scary the alone-ness felt while living in active alcoholism. Participation in Alanon has been the opposite of that- a community, fellowship and all support of others who understand.
Thank you Mary for your service, and the great reminder about the Fellowship of this program!
I get so much out of being a "member." The funny thing is, when I first had to come to the doors of Al-Anon, the thing that kept me coming was the ability of the members to find some sort of laughter amid the chaos. Yes, it was kind of sarcastic humor (Think about a "Quackers" thread), but it was the kind that most of us could all relate to. It helped me to accept that I needed to be here...b/c the reality of my life was almost too scary for me to look at, so my tendency was to not look! Humor helped me to look, I guess.
With Covid concerns, I have come to rely more on this forum than anything else (except perhaps my sponsor). I find that it is a good thing for me!
Another scary heat index day here in my neck of the desert. Laying low, keeping away from holiday crowds, trying to stay cool!
Wishing peace and tranquility for you all, from wherever you hail from!
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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
Thank you Mary for your service and the daily. Thanks to you and PnP for your shares and ESH. I am so, so grateful that those who came before me really encouraged me to call others often early on in my recovery. Building those relationships is golden when life presents difficult times - and yes, the pandemic is certainly one of them.
I have absolutely no hesitation reaching out to another in recovery - sponsor or trust friend - when I 'begin' to think crazy. It's taken me a long while to understand that the longer I sit in my 'worry/anxiety pot' alone, the worse I can make it out to be. When the pandemic began, I started a couple of text conversations and reach out to these groups every morning. Everyone checks in, shares how they feel and we go on about our day. It's as much a part of my morning routine as reading the literature and praying. I reach out without fail and threaten to send out search parties when one/more don't respond in a timely manner. I also make a point to call program friends who live alone at least once a week just to check on them and catch up. It works when we work it, however we work it - recovery is a personal program but it's also a WE program....
Happy Sunday all - lots of golf so far this weekend and more planned for this coming week....nice to have something safe to do during these difficult times. (((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
Laying low, keeping away from holiday crowds, trying to stay cool! 
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