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.
Hi I am new to al anon having attended my first meeting last week. I am in need of some support and guidance if possible. I live in Utah and the meetings here are very small. I have been reading the book how al anon works and am enjoying it, but am not sure how to put the steps in motion or into my life. Can anyone help?
i am new also and i have found that the more you go to meetings and talk to people you will learn how to use the steps in your life. i found that things became clearer the more i listened and read and shared. so hope that helps a little and also a lot of these people here are very supportive and helpful.
It will get easier I promise- just keep attending meetings. I have been in the program for 15 months, and there is no comparison to where I am now to where I was. There are no magic answers when getting started- this is a very easy program, meaning there are no musts- things happen as they should in your own time. The more you go to meetings in person, and online, the clearer things will get. Literature is a great help. Courage to Change and Hope for Today will change your life. Keep coming back, it works!
At first I was very discouraged and confused as to how to work the steps but in time it became clearer. It is funny now but honestly I thought that there was a work book that gave me instructions on how to do this. LOL It was for me mostly self discovery and understanding. I did much needed reaserch and alot of reading. One thing that helpped me to understand more on the steps was an explanation of the steps or a break down of them. I posted them a while back "the steps explained". Maybe it may be of some help to you too.
Oh do I ever remember my first F2F meeting. I was terrified and so nervous that I almost made myself sick. In time it got easier and after I went to a few different ones I found one that is now my home group and look forward to going!! Hang in there it really does get easier.
Hi Loulou, and welcome to our message board. Thank you for sharing.
Here you will get lots of good support. As to how to work the steps, just dig in there at the beginning....accept your lack of control, then look for your own HP to guide you. What helps me is taking time to meditate....letting a little bit of hope into my heart that things will get better.
Once you accept that you cannot change your A, only yourself, then a light kind of goes off in your head. Giving up that illusion of control isn't easy...but very worthwhile.
By the way, all the quotes....they are so wonderful to chant to yourself when life gets you down!
Wish I were more helpful, but just wanted to welcome to you. I'm sure others will be able to lead you in your quest, and there are many wise ones here on the site.
Welcome. This is a safe place to share and get some experience, strength and hope from other members.
In terms of working the steps, here's a few suggestions:
1. Get a sponsor who has what you want. Sometimes all I need is to talk stuff out with my sponsor and I end up coming up with my own solutions! 2. Paths to recovery book -- it's conference-approved literature and goes in depth on each step. There are also questions after each section on a step to think about and answer. 3. Be patient. Just keep coming to meetings. 4. Concentrate on Step One for now -- It's the most important step to "get" You really can't move forward without it.
Take care and keep coming back.
Love and hugs, Jessi
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If you want something you've never had, you have to do something you've never done.
