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 topic at the meeting I went to tonight was maturity. Interesting, I never would have identified myself as immature before I started going to Al Anon. If anything, it was quite the opposite--I was extremely mature, thank you very much! But after learning a few key elements of the program I realized just how immature I was and am.
Walking away from arguments was a huge one for me. As one of the many very wise people on this board is fond of saying, you don't have to attend every argument you are invited to. I remember the days before Al Anon, having screaming fights with my drunken wife, just waiting for her to get it, just waiting for her to understand that she just needed to do things my way and everything would be ok. Ha!
Not judging others is another one. It was through Al Anon that I realized that I relentlesly judge everyone in my life, and don't spend any time focusing on myself. Very immature.
In many ways, I am indeed very mature. But in some very important ways, I have a long way to go.
Really good meeting tonight. A lot of happy, friendly people and a great share from someone attending their first meeting. And I felt more at home at the meeting than I ever have. Good stuff.
What an inspiring post. I can see the smile on your face and the.....'I'm a part of a family" in your post. There's a paragraph in the closing of Al-Anon meetings that starts, "If you keep and open mind", and members of this board will post when referring to the program "It works if you works it". From where I sit the last sentence is a fitting description of you.
I attended my Tuesday night meeting earlier and I also heard a great share from someone attending their first meeting, followed by a lady who help raise me in the program that has been in Al-Anon over 25 years. Both had things to say I needed to hear. After almost five years I can honestly say I have never walked out of a meeting that I didn't feel better than when I walked in.
HUGS, RLC
-- Edited by RLC on Tuesday 15th of March 2011 11:38:03 PM
Totally related to your post !!!! You know they say the A stops maturing at the age the start using. And until I read your post I would have said I was very mature...I certainly should be, I am old enough. But I wonder if the statement about the A's maturity may also apply to us also. I don't think it's a dramatic But I wonder as the mother of an A did I stop maturing when he starting using. Yet I also grew up in this disease so then was my maturity level that if the A's around me? I was taught to be judgemental and critical. To me that was completly normal. I have been working on this, and I can go for long periods of time practicing my program great then the littlest thing will set me off and I am right back to judging and critizeing. You really brought up a thought provoking topic! Thanks for that I may use it in my own meeting Blessings
