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.
Very low today. Aside from massive sinus headaches... Yesterday I met with someone in my industry who I wanted to affiliate with. The person has a big media reputation, etc. (typing carefully to maintain anonymity here). Anyway, the meeting went well, but, I *knew* before I ever set foot in the place that he was probably an unrecovered, frightened old A. So, I wan't surprised to get an email, full of fear, bitterness, anger and hate the next day. C'est la vie. I responded, with some program under my belt, but drew boundaires...etc.
The prblem is, where I am, the place it ramoant with A's. The meetings aren't good (as I've posted before) - I mean, not good as in they can't even get off the ground for fighting, fussing, dominating and arguing. The traditions are not followed 'we don't do it like *that* here' - (shouldn't Al Anon be Al Anon, no matter where).
Anyway - I'm just down that depsite my best efforts to work in, around, through and to cope, I just find it depressing as all getout to live in a place filled with pubs, marauding drunks, junkies e-v-e-r-y-w-h-e-r-e, and a culture that is so rooted in booze - oi. I can;t Control, didn't Cause and can't Change it, but boy do I need a meeting.
I just got hitched with my lovely partner this week, in fact, and we are seriously discussing next steps. We want to be more on the continent - and I know that I am not driving the boat here. I can let go. I just get tired and sad sometimes.
I would just give anything to work with some people who are interested in doing great work, positive, encouraging, instead of running off to the pub or talking about their hangovers. It's revolting, and I think the West is in big trouble...but I digress from my pity party :)
I just thought I have to remember that I chose some/a lot of this, so I need to learn, learn, learn.
Hi I am so sorry you are having diffiuclty in finding safe meetings in your area. why nottry the on-line meetings held here?
The Online meetings are held in the Al-Anon chat room associated with this site.
From the board click on Al-Anon Group Meeting/Chat Room in the yellow box in upper left of the page. After clicking on the link please be patient, sometimes it takes a while for the window to open.
The world is difficult to navagate but I did find the principles of alanon when used by me helped me to stay sane in a seemingly insane world.
My favorites were: Focus on myself, Do not take anybody elses inventory but my own and Take the next right action and let go of the results.
Best Wishes on your recent marriage to your wonderful partner.
It only takes two people to start an Al-Anon group. If your f2f isn't productive for you then it's probably not productive for others as well. Have you thought about trying a different group or starting a new one yourself?
__________________
Everything I have ever let go of has claw marks all over it.
Just to remind AlanonicScotland that the on-line meetings on here are at 2pm and 2am UK time which make it a bit difficult. I tried the 2pm one once but my AH kept interrupting - I am often at work then anyway. The chat room is good for on-line support. I always come out of there smiling! I don't have a meeting near me and am feeling a bit too "raw" at the moment to start one myself.
Finding good meetings is pretty hard wherever you are in the world. Meetings change and evolve over time. There are numerous on line resources. I don't doubt the meetings here might be difficult for you because of the time zone.
I used to think that the culture I grew up in was pretty alcoholic and now since I've been around the bush some I see alcohol everywhere. I do know over time that the kind of people I gravitate to has changed a great deal. I hope in time to draw even better people into my life.
Aloha Scott...try doing it without the program!! Al-Anon gave me the power of choice for me and me only. I only have one person to supervise and one filter to use on my choices...the program one. Sometimes taking what I like and leaving the rest means going away feeling empty...big deal!! I've got my life back and a relationship with a power greater than any other power I use to let control my life. If they, in my perception, don't have what I need for today I can go anywhere else safe (or unsafe) for me...I am not dependent upon others for my peace of mind and serenity today...Thanks to my HP and the program my HP placed across my journey I can choose peace of soul and mind and nothing else.
The personality and politices are everywhere. We know about that cause we use to participate until we found we could turn away from it and work the program as the traditions, steps, concepts etc teach us. I love our membership and can hold them close; still I am aware that my hands do come apart and I will let them go. Same as the alcoholic. ((((( hugs )))))
