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.
The other night I met a local artist in the park. We had a lovely conversation and it was nice to talk to someone who is cultured and articulate. At the same time what stood out for me in the conversation was that he said he had a drinking issue. In fact he made a real big deal of the fact I didn't drink.
In the past I would not see the drinking as an issue. I am lonely and the loneliness would drive me. Now after several years of al anon under my belt I have some self presevation and faith in myself. These days when I hear someone who has drunk to excess who does not have recovery its a red flag.
So no I did not initiate another meeting. I did not run for the hills either. I have no motivation at all to continue to another level. Before my loneliness drove me to take high risks and I was plagued by self doubt. I no longer am as vulnerable as I once was. I am certainly lonely and isolated but I am no longer the sitting duck I once was.
Hey Maresie...Aloha. I've had a lot of drunks come up and open up about their issue or problem or however one wants to describe it and I long ago stopped being surprised about that or questioned why. Here is the present day realization for me. HP often uses us as doors so that others can pass into the rooms of recovery. We tell them what our experiences are and where they can get help and then we let go completely. I don't have to marry them anymore or adopt them or run from them either. "God make me an instrument of thy peace...." There will never come a time when I can fix one and that's just fine.
