Hi Everyone! I've agreed to do an Al-Anon lead for a meeting (F2F) at the end of this month, and it's been several years since I last did one. Does anyone here have any stories (or advice) to tell about leads you have heard, or leads you yourselves have done? I know it's a very powerful and growthful thing to do (and a bit scary of course!). Basically what happens is the meeting is devoted to one person's story--where you tell how it was, what happened to get you into recovery, and how things are for you now. Some of the best leads I've ever heard are from recovering A's, because they gave me so much insight into the nature of the disease--but of course what I am recovering from are ACOA and codependency issues. I haven't heard too many of those stories yet.
Would love to hear from anyone about your experience with this great recovery step!
Thanks!
Seachange
KathyS said
Jan 8, 2006
This is very exciting for you! I'm sure you're a bit nervous, I know I would be. I've never done a lead, or honestly ever heard one shared. From what you've said, sounds like the best thing for you to do is simply share your experience. What your life was like before you came to this program, what circumstances brought you here, and how your life is today because of this program. Maybe share which tools helped you the most at first, and exactly how you've used them in your daily life. Good luck and let us know how it goes.
sas said
Jan 8, 2006
I have heard alot of A's tell their story and I never get tired of hearing them. I have heard from one recovering al anon and it was formatted just like the A's story. She shared her experience, strength, and hope she got from the program. She told it like the A's tell theirs, "where I was, what happened, and where I am now". I wish there were more opportunities to hear about other recovering al anons. I would love to hear how your experience with this goes. Good luck to you!
maresie said
Jan 8, 2006
I'd have to say what I find most useful in hearing someone's story is hearing how their views on their life changed as they went through recovery. My view for example of my childhood and my parents and my siblings has changed a great deal as I pursue recovery. I think sometimes I've enjoyed the shares of those who focus on their recovery and the obstacles they have dealt with there. So I would say since you have been in program for a while, how has your story changed, what is that changed, how did that happen. How did it move from "Poor me" to "new me". I think the reason that alcoholics stories sometimes seem more interesting is that many many alcoholics can be seductive, gregarious and outgoing for some of them that is how they managed to drink for so long. But in the same measure so can al-anon's and I am after all here for the al-anon portion, the codependence part of taking on other people's issues as my own, for feeling the pain more than the A seemed to and for putting myself last. For me it is relevant to focus on what program I am rather than the one I would rather be in..sometimes. AA meetings can sometimes seem like a trip to a comedy club as they blast their shame out of the strastophere. I think humor can be very relevant at some points but not all the time.
I'm glad that you are thinking about your share because that shows you are thinking about others and how you can serve them. I hope the experience will be a memorable one for you.
Maresie.
seachange said
Jan 8, 2006
Thanks so much, Kathy, sas and maresie! I appreciate your responses. They are very helpful! THis is a new level of working the program for me--to share and ask for help more! Not be so alone, especially with something challenging like this coming up. I know I have a lot to give, and a lot to learn. It's helpful for me to remember that this doesn't have to be the world's greatest lead! Just a good one! It doesn't have to be perfect! Just real! But you all know how codependents and that still-scared inner child can get when anything seems to be asking a bit more of us than we are accustomed to giving!
I'll be glad to hear from others about this too--leads you have heard, or leads you have given, or just what your insights might be about this!
Hi Everyone! I've agreed to do an Al-Anon lead for a meeting (F2F) at the end of this month, and it's been several years since I last did one. Does anyone here have any stories (or advice) to tell about leads you have heard, or leads you yourselves have done? I know it's a very powerful and growthful thing to do (and a bit scary of course!). Basically what happens is the meeting is devoted to one person's story--where you tell how it was, what happened to get you into recovery, and how things are for you now. Some of the best leads I've ever heard are from recovering A's, because they gave me so much insight into the nature of the disease--but of course what I am recovering from are ACOA and codependency issues. I haven't heard too many of those stories yet.
Would love to hear from anyone about your experience with this great recovery step!
Thanks!
Seachange
I'd have to say what I find most useful in hearing someone's story is hearing how their views on their life changed as they went through recovery. My view for example of my childhood and my parents and my siblings has changed a great deal as I pursue recovery. I think sometimes I've enjoyed the shares of those who focus on their recovery and the obstacles they have dealt with there. So I would say since you have been in program for a while, how has your story changed, what is that changed, how did that happen. How did it move from "Poor me" to "new me". I think the reason that alcoholics stories sometimes seem more interesting is that many many alcoholics can be seductive, gregarious and outgoing for some of them that is how they managed to drink for so long. But in the same measure so can al-anon's and I am after all here for the al-anon portion, the codependence part of taking on other people's issues as my own, for feeling the pain more than the A seemed to and for putting myself last. For me it is relevant to focus on what program I am rather than the one I would rather be in..sometimes. AA meetings can sometimes seem like a trip to a comedy club as they blast their shame out of the strastophere. I think humor can be very relevant at some points but not all the time.
I'm glad that you are thinking about your share because that shows you are thinking about others and how you can serve them. I hope the experience will be a memorable one for you.
Maresie.
Thanks so much, Kathy, sas and maresie! I appreciate your responses. They are very helpful! THis is a new level of working the program for me--to share and ask for help more! Not be so alone, especially with something challenging like this coming up. I know I have a lot to give, and a lot to learn. It's helpful for me to remember that this doesn't have to be the world's greatest lead! Just a good one! It doesn't have to be perfect! Just real! But you all know how codependents and that still-scared inner child can get when anything seems to be asking a bit more of us than we are accustomed to giving!
I'll be glad to hear from others about this too--leads you have heard, or leads you have given, or just what your insights might be about this!
And I'll let you know how it goes.
Best to all,
Seachange