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.
There is a woman at my F2F who is putting on a seminar on her own and has been passing around a flyer at our F2F during the meeting when we make announcements. I have wanted to say something because it is alanon sanctioned and should be announced before or after the meeting and goes against tradition 1 since it is not an alanon sponsored function. I have a hard time with standing up for myself and have not said anything in the meetings where this flyer is going around.
Well last night she passed it around again and again I said nothing and neither did anyone else.
Another member asked if he could read a passage from a non-CAL book. Well this same woman asked him to read first something from our district newsletter that spoke of why we stick to only conference approved lit. He did, out loud, and this article spoke about tradition 1.
At that moment something stirred in me and I spoke up at that moment. I apologized for not speaking up sooner and I stated my opinion on the flyer and how it to breaks tradition and that we need to stick to the traditions completely and not pick and choose when to abide by them and when not to. It is all or nothing, because if we don't follow the traditions we are not able to be a WSO recognized group.
I was shocked and a little embarrassed about my statement.
After the meeting a few members thanked me for stating what I said that they to felt the same way and didn't know what to say or how to say it.
I am telling you all (and preaching to the choir to some :)) that this program works if you work it. This girl who stood up and said no that isn't right was not me from even just last week. This girl who stood up last night was only able to do so because for the first time in her life she is truly taking care of herself and working this program. And I am telling you that I still can't believe that I am that girl but I like it.
I can't wait to tell my sponsor :).
Yours in recovery, Mandy
__________________
"We are not punished for our unforgiveness, we are punished by it" Jim Stovall
What an uplifting post! I know you must feel realy good to say out loud something that was bothering you. Keep looking in the mirror because that girl is YOU!
Aloha Mandy...thats working the program world wide. You did for Hawaii what you did for your home group and I am beaming because of your growth. That is for sure how the program works and the fellowship keeps it Al-Anon. Thank you and all other members who exercise their courage to protect the integrity of the Al-Anon Family Groups world wide.
(((((hugs from The East Hawaii District of the Al-Anon Family Groups)))))
Way to go, Mandy. That's real growth for sure. And I thank you as well for standing tall for the integrity of the fellowship.
In recovery,
__________________
~Jen~
"When you come to the edge of all you know you must believe in one of two things... there will be earth on which to stand or you will be given wings." ~Unknown
I agree the person i have become from wotking this program is a person I so wanted to be but did not know how to get there. So proud that you showed the courage to keep your group focused.
Allanon is an amazing program I appreciate your ESH
