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.
After reading John's post it got me to thinking about the uniqueness & beauty of MIP.
When I first came here I was scared to death. I didn't know how to deal with my A. I had tried some local face to face meetings, but they weren't working for me. Maybe I wasn't ready for the structured intense meetings. Maybe I wasn't ready for full recovery. Maybe I just needed a setting where I could find my way in a more anonymous way. It's easier behind a computer screen. Whatever the initial reasons I stayed. I kept coming back. Thanks to MIP I found my way to recovery. I am no longer afraid to go to face to face meetings.
MIP may not follow the "rigors" of Alanon. They may not adhere to certain policies or standards that more formal meetings do. You know what? That's OKAY! We ought to celebrate that uniqueness & the freedom of that. When I need a more structured Alanon format, I get my behind to my meetings. I go back and reread the literature. I reach out to members here who have more experience than I have.
We may come into the chat room and talk about our families. We may laugh & joke about things having nothing to do with addiction. But you can bet your bottom dollar when someone does come in and needs help, we are there for them.
Our posts may not always be addiction related (or so it would seem at first glance). How many times have people posted about silly things? I proudly raise my hand there! We have the freedom to post about cat & dogs. We have the freedom to post about really good days and really bad days. We have the freedom to post about The Great Pumpkin, The Easter Beagle, potato chips or rollercoaster rides. It's all good. It's about life and living. The good, the bad, the ugly and the silly. It's life on life's terms.
We have the freedom to talk about our HP be it God, Tao or Pipers Kitty. We have asked for prayers for family, friends and total strangers. We have asked for prayers for our pets. Last year I badly needed your prayers for myself and Pipers when my beloved Tim passed away. You all responded with open hearts. It's what pulled us through. When Pipers got sick and I was scared that I would loose her too, you kept me sane. I felt your love and prayers from the moment I asked for them.
The free flow exhange of ideas is what makes this board so great. If I quote from The Tao of Sobriety it's because I am sharing my experience, hope and strength. It may or may not help you but it might help someone else. I have learned many lessons from reading posts in which things were brought up that weren't even Alanon based. THAT'S GREAT! CELEBRATE THAT!
The miracle of this board and the chat room is that it is flexible. This is a whole lot less intimidating than some boards. I looked into other boards and chat rooms. Frankly they scared me. Whether or not our posts are serious or silly, they are all about recovery. We can take what we like and leave the rest. When I talk about taking a Piper's Kitty Day, it may sound silly and stupid at first. "A what? And who is this darn cat she keeps talking about?" But when you take a really good look at it, it's about recovery and taking care of ourselves. If I brought that up some place else they might throw me out of the room or ban me from the board. Where else can David make a post about a crazy kitty (sorry David you know I love "da boys") and still make it a lesson about recovery?
I know of no other place that accepts people for who they are and what they believe in the way this place does. No one gets upset if you choose not to send holiday cards to John's residents in his recovery houses. That's your choice. I for one make it a part of my holiday traditions. It makes me feel good. If I could afford to do it every month I would. That's my choice. I don't think any less of those who choose not to. It's none of my business.
This is a board of diversity. CELEBRATE THAT! With over 15,000 members it should be. This is a board of uniquess. CELEBRATE THAT! This is a board of strength, hope, wisdom and strength. CELEBRATE THAT! This is board of love and caring. CELEBRATE THAT! This is a board of silliness, humor and sheer delight! CELEBRATE THAT! This is a board of living strong & taking back our lives. CELEBRATE THAT!
THIS IS A BOARD OF RECOVERY & HEALING. We may do it in a different way but that's who we are! CELEBRATE THAT! Thanks to all of you who have made it so. Thanks to John for bringing this board to life. Many would have been lost without. I would be crushed if anything happened to this place. Much love and blessings to you and your families. Much love to our Alanon pets!
Live strong, Karilynn & Pipers Kitty
-- Edited by Karilynn on Wednesday 19th of August 2009 08:11:47 AM
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It's your life. Take no prisoners. You will have it your way.
(((((Karilynn)))), Wowzers what a post and thank you for saying what you said. You spoke for me :) I agreed with your share and I am grateful for you and this safe place to come and just be me.
Give Pipers a little loving from another pet lover :)
Yours in recovery, Mandy
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"We are not punished for our unforgiveness, we are punished by it" Jim Stovall
Great post Karilynn. I too am grateful for MIP. I don't know what I would have done for the past 7 months during the seperation and divorce from my husband if I hadn't had this site to post my thoughts, feelings, ups, downs, learning experiences, insights, happy times, sad times, we get to share all that and that is a Godsend. Thanks John for this site.
Overcome
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I can Overcome all things through my HP who strengthens me.
You speak for me. I feel safe here again. after John's posting and now yours.
I had posted a thanks to John some time back, because great as the people are who come on here, if John hadn't provided this space, where would we be meeting? In the parking lot?
Hugs, And a Nuzzle for Pipers, Temple
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It's easy to be graceful until someone steals your cornbread. --Gray Charles
I love MIP too, and appreciate the perspective of your post.... Yes, we are unique, and not 100% Al-Anon....
The flip side is that we are still nominally here "to exchange information, ideas, feelings, problems and solutions on a personal level" as they related to alcoholism and other addictions....
As a board moderator here, it is sometimes difficult to figure out when & where this line of common sense and common good is crossed....
The reality is that 99% of the time, and 99% of the people on here are a great group to hang out with, and learn from..... I suppose there is always that 1% - in any group imaginable - who appear to have somewhat different agendas and instigating controversy....
Take care Tom
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"He is either gonna drink, or he won't.... what are YOU gonna do?"
"What you think of me is none of my business"
"If you knew the answer to what you are worrying about, would it REALLY change anything?"
If I can, I would like to relate with a story I heard several years ago.
One time there was a hive of bee's flying down the highway. They all needed to have a rest stop. So, all the bee's in the hive except one flew into the "Exxon" gas station. That one bee flew across the highway and went into the "Esso" gas station.
The moral of the story: There is always one "Esso" bee in every hive. In Al-Anon we call that acceptance.
Cute story. I hope everyone takes it in the spirit it was intended.
Whatever the initial reasons I stayed. I kept coming back. Thanks to MIP I found my way to recovery. I am no longer afraid to go to face to face meetings.
CELEBRATE THAT! 
This is a board of strength, hope, wisdom and strength. CELEBRATE THAT! 
This is a board of living strong & taking back our lives. CELEBRATE THAT! 
Thanks to all of you who have made it so. Thanks to John for bringing this board to life. Many would have been lost without. I would be crushed if anything happened to this place. Much love and blessings to you and your families. Much love to our Alanon pets!
