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 went to an open AA meeting it was amazing tonight. Normally there is an alanon meeting however they do a joint thing with AA. As I've never been to an AA meeting before this was a first and I am so very glad I went. The person who shared was really terrific. Had some wonderful insights as well as an overall powerful share.
Something they said that really stuck out in my mind, I even wrote it down was how they had to get better by degrees. They didn't just walk into AA and never had a slip, they just kept going back to continue to get better.
It was just a very moving experience. If anyone has an opportunity to go to an open meeting it's something that I would highly recommend. It put a different spin on a story I thought I understood.
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Stepping onto a brand-new path is difficult, but not more difficult than remaining in a situation, which is not nurturing to the whole woman.- Maya Angelo
I have been attending AA meetings with my former AH for the past few months. I attend about 2 a month. It helps me understanding how difficult it is for the alcoholic.
I especially like to attend the AA meeting that is held in our small, rural town. Most of the members are longtimers that have about 15 to 20 years of sobriety. They are characters! The wisdom that comes from them is just awesome. I really find them inspriational.
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You have to go through the darkness to truly know the light. Lama Surya Das
Resentment is like taking poison & waiting for the other person to die. Malachy McCourt
I think this is something I"m going to make a part of my monthly routine. They only do one a month in town. It's something that I have heard others talk about and decided I needed to go. Now it's going to be part of my get to a f2f meeting AND an open AA meeting message, I was very humbled by the information. It was really exactly what I needed to hear.
I love the fact that the diversity it shows in our town there were so many different people as far as age, and backgrounds. I had always wondered what was different about an AA meeting vs an alanon meeting. LOL .. now I know. :)
P :)
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Stepping onto a brand-new path is difficult, but not more difficult than remaining in a situation, which is not nurturing to the whole woman.- Maya Angelo
Hi, I have a question. My AFiance attended his first meeting last Monday and he asked me to go with him, which I did. Many people on these boards said that was kind of me to go in support of him, but to make sure that I don't start attending with him or he will never be able to fully be himself and open up anonymously. They said that was HIS recovery and he needed to do it alone. So, which is right, attend AA meetings with him or not?
Hi, I have a question. My AFiance attended his first meeting last Monday and he asked me to go with him, which I did. Many people on these boards said that was kind of me to go in support of him, but to make sure that I don't start attending with him or he will never be able to fully be himself and open up anonymously. They said that was HIS recovery and he needed to do it alone. So, which is right, attend AA meetings with him or not?
Good question. In my opinion, what is "right" for one person or couple may not be right for another person or couple.
My former, recovering AH attends multiple meetings in 3 different towns. When I have attended, I don't always go to one specific meeting. I realize that it's his recovery and he needs his space. I always get his okay before I go with him. For now, he wants me to go once in awhile because he knows it helps my understanding. Sometimes, I go with my recovering A-sister. I will even go alone if need be.
*former as in ex--husband
-- Edited by GailMichelle on Friday 5th of August 2011 12:26:55 PM
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You have to go through the darkness to truly know the light. Lama Surya Das
Resentment is like taking poison & waiting for the other person to die. Malachy McCourt
That's why open meetings are so great is there is a reason they are open and in my case the open meeting is a speaker meeting which puts a whole different spin. This is a recovering alcoholic who is sharing their story and they speak for an hour. I'm sure open meetings just like alanon meetings are different finding the one you want to go to and so on is going to be a process of going and finding.
I agree while what works for one couple doesn't always work for another, I also believe that the part about your A needing to feel open to sharing is true as well. Sometimes a loved one needs to share something that they don't want to repeat to their sig other or maybe they aren't ready to share. I've found things about myself that I'm not ready to share with my A, I'm just not ready to. Sitting in an alanon meeting and not having to censor what I share is a huge deal for me. He could certainly come with me if he chose to, I wouldn't want him at every single one. I would want to be able to set the boundary that way as well.
Hugs P :)
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Stepping onto a brand-new path is difficult, but not more difficult than remaining in a situation, which is not nurturing to the whole woman.- Maya Angelo
