Good morning everyone-

Todays reading is about the importance of meetings and the impact they have on our recovery.  The writer describes finding a meeting early on where members focused on problems rather than seek solutions.  After some time, the writer realized that dwelling on the problems each week did not included forward movement into recovery, and were not helpful.  After finding meetings with a different focus- on the steps, traditions, with alanon literature, the writer saw the difference and began recovery from the effects of growing up in an alcoholic home.   The meetings, along with service work and seeking help from a sponsor helped the writer begin to take responsibility for his/her choices.   The writer began to see that what he/she was able to contribute in meetings made a difference in what was received as well.

I have been to many types of meetings- in big cities with many people of all ages and backgrounds, small towns with extremely small attendance where clearly most people knew one another, those that had a clear direction and were run smoothly, and those that meandered and were a bit frustrating to be part of.  Finding a place that was a good fit was an integral step forward for me. That said, regardless of the setting or climate of the meeting, I have always gleaned some new insight or perspective from every one I have ever attended.  I have gone through times when I could only listen at meetings, to several when I wanted to share, but I always left with something new to consider. 

The thought for the day reminds us: what I get from and give to my meetings can change how I live my life today.

I hope everyone has a peaceful Sunday:)

Mary