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.
I had a really bad week. I didn't find the guts to use the phone list when I needed to talk to someone. Today I almost didn't drag my butt out of bed to go to a meeting, but I am SO GLAD I did...
I didn't talk at the meeting. I'm too new to have anything relevant to share about such a high-numbered step, and everyone always seems so positive and recovery-oriented, so I didn't want to be whiny/martyr-y and complain about problems I didn't know how to solve.
After the meeting, one of the women from my table asked me how I was doing. I told her my sister had had a really bad week. Then she asked how *I* was doing with it, and the dam just broke and it all spilled out... and she listened! Somebody I barely know cared enough about me to listen when I needed to talk!
So even though I didn't find the strength this week to use the phone list, or share at a meeting... I did do what I could and that was the most important one of all: "keep coming back". And amazingly, someone cared enough to meet me at my level and coax me into talking about it, and... WOW... it's like a ton of brick off my shoulders to know that not only does someone else know what's going on in my life, someone else *cares*.
Al-Anon is incredible... words cannot even begin to express the gratitude I'm feeling right now... and to all the other newbies out there, Keep Coming Back, even when you're not sure (especially when you're not sure!) because it WILL help no matter where you're at right now...
-- Edited by atheos on Friday 29th of April 2011 07:48:50 PM
Yeah for you atheos I am especially glad to hear you are still at it after reading one of your past posts! Good for you and I am so glad someone reached out to you when you needed it, funny how that just seems to happen sometimes. So happy to read your share!
__________________
God grant me the serenity To accept the things I cannot change, Courage to change the things I can, And wisdom to know the difference.
Al-Anon/Alateen Family Group Headquarters, Inc. 800-344-2666
I am so grateful another member reached out to you in the face to face meeting. It feels good when someone welcomes you to the group. I hope they continue to introduce you to more people so that you feel at home.
The Alanon Family Groups are so amazing. I am glad you felt the love and caring in the room. It is a very special place that is near and dear to my heart. That is why I continue to go to face to face meetings. The members loved me until I learned to love myself.
"We will love you until you learn to love yourself". Such an amazing statement and so very true. I owe Al-Anon my life and every bit of support to give back what was so freely given to me. Great share of the miracle that happens in the Family Groups. Glad you got it Atheos....(((((hugs)))))
