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.
I got home a couple hours ago from the most awesome 12 step recovery, women only retreat. This was my first year to go and I am so pumped up I don't think I'll come down any day soon. I learned so much about myself, my inner feelings, how to work my steps even further than I have worked them to date and I met some of the most beautiful souls in the universe this weekend.
The range of personalities was unreal, women from all backgrounds, facing all kinds of different trials and tribulations but within five minutes of arriving everyone was instant friends with no strings attached. There were women there from AA, NA, Coda, Alanon, Naranon, Overeaters Anonymous and amongst them were single moms, married women, single women, lesbians and hetrosexuals. Everyone accepted everyone else as an equal and an instant part of an extended family.
There were workshops of all kinds ranging from journeling to financial freedom. I heard the word WOW more times than I could count the last three days. The inspirational sessions were the most rewarding. The one we had last night was on the inner child in all of us and at the end we wrote down on a small piece of paper what we wanted to let go of forever. As we left the assembly we dropped our piece of paper in the fire and let go of it forever.
My sponsor was concerned as to how I would do and came to check on me. She asked how I was doing and I told her "I am doing great! The only time I have been happier than I am at this very moment was on my wedding night when I had sex for the first time". She absolutely cracked up and is still laughing about it. She said she didn't know if they could come up with something better than sex or not but they would try next year.
The lady that started Heart to Heart 25 years ago here in Missouri was there for most of the weekend. She is 82 years old, has been ill most of this year but wouldn't allow anything to get in the way of her being there one more time. Friday evening she fell out of her wheelchair, hit her head very hard on the cement floor and was air flighted to the hospital. Saturday afternoon she was back on stage talking to us. Another HUGE WOW, I take a week for recovery from a migraine and she gets air flighted to the hospital and within 12 hours is back and has a smile on her face that lights up a room. What an inspiration this lady is to everyone that was there. The last thing she said today was that she will be there again next year but when she comes next year she plans to be walking not being whelled around in a wheelchair.
If you ever get a chance to go to a Heart to Heart retreat I highly recommend it. I saw ladies that have been in program for 45 years all the way down to ladies that have been in program three months and every one of them said that they are taking some form of healing home with them.
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Everything I have ever let go of has claw marks all over it.
I am planning on going to the HUGS Women's Retreat in Spring,TX this weekend. Actually, I am the Al-Anon speaker. (First time I've been the speaker out of state) This retreat is for Al-Anon, AA & NA. I have never been to a Recovery Retreat. So, the nerves hit me this morning about it - the whole unknown always makes me a little uncomfortable.
I know everything will be ok - My HP usually takes over about the 3rd or 4th sentence of my talk so that is a good thing!! (HA!) - Thanks for giving details about the retreat - gives me a little info so I know what to expect. Makes me feel a little calmer. I hope to have a post like this next Monday, telling how awesome God blessed our retreat.
Thanks Mobirdie,
Rita G.
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No matter what me and my God are going to be ok, even better than OK -
I was nervous about going as well. I looked up the campsite on Google Earth and I am not kidding it looked like it was out in the middle of nowhere smack dab in the middle of a plowed down corn field. The registration said to bring your own bedding so all sorts of primitive thoughts raced through my mind. The cabins were adequate for what we needed them to be.
Things I do suggest is that you take a lawn chair, at least two pairs of comfortable shoes and bottled water. We did a LOT of walking and they hadn't leveled out that mountain and layed down sod....lots of rocks. The water in the dining hall was perfectly fine but the water in the cabin was nasty, it smelled like rotten eggs. So we took glasses of water back to the room each night so we could brush our teeth.
If they have an affirmation circle scheduled by all means go to that workshop. When it first starts out you will think it's a bit on the dorky side but give it three minutes max and you will be glad you did. Just grab some tissues before it starts I guarantee you will need them.
Enjoy yourself, have fun and you will come home so refreshed. I'm just now beginning to come down off my cloud.
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Everything I have ever let go of has claw marks all over it.
The ladies doing registration sent me a check list with things to bring like bedding, lawn chair, insect repellent, etc. - so I'm prepared for that - After I speak on Saturday night, they do a God meeting with a bon-fire so that you can throw your God boxes in the bonfire (sounds similiar to yours) and I think that will be awesome!! We also get to do a bunk decorating contest in our cabins, now that I haven't started working on yet - better get busy!!
So I'll post next Monday letting everyone know how it went -
See ya,
Rita
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No matter what me and my God are going to be ok, even better than OK -
Glad you had a great time. Sounds like it was just what you needed. I've always liked going to conferences, even for work. It's nice to gather with people who have a common goal and interest and hear their points of view. Sometimes it's just what we need to keep us going.
Live strong,
Karilynn
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It's your life. Take no prisoners. You will have it your way.
