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.
Tonight I had a relaxed, friends dinner, me and my bus boss - had a bus to pick-up from the shop after a busy day - he mentioned maybe stopping for something to eat and it sounded good, being out at night, gasp, ooooh the wild life (ok so it was 6:30 pm, not exactly wild life at that time of evening). During dinner the conversation ranged all over the place and I found myself talking about certain things I've read on this board. Pushka, I mentioned your 100 guys in a room and you'd find the 2 who were the sick ones (he was talking about how we gravitate to certain people). Naugua, I mentioned your guys joke; earlier we'd encountered a verbally abusive bullying type and were discussing them and life and different things we'd experienced in life, he's a good conversationalist (lets me talk sometimes, ha ha) but I found myself referring to "the board" often, like a you were all special family members. Showing me how important this board and your ideas and natures have become to me - I have gotten such wisdom from you all, and you are intertwined in my life with such positivity; so many times it feels like I really know you and that you are just a touch away.
Does anyone else find themselves bringing up "the board" in conversation? No shameful hiding of the secret that we love/loved an alcoholic - trying to pass on the secrets we've been shown, wanting others to see the benefits of detaching and not taking things personally, and HALT (I also told him HHALT), don't react, taking care of yourself, etc.
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I am strong in the broken places. ~ Unknown
All changes, even the most longed for, have their melancholy; for what we leave behind us is a part of ourselves; we must die to one life before we can enter another! ~ Anatole France
I pretty much live, breathe, sleep, eat Al-Anon. Since my sponsor has been out of town (for a month) I find myself on this board much more often. But what I like is that it is always here. If it is midnight and I cannot sleep or Im just getting my day going, even if I am at work and I am allowing someone to take my serenity at the moment. I can stop and get on this board. I have mentioned it to a few close al-anon friends from my home group. My family does not understand al-anon, and other than my Mom, they don't really care, to be honest. I only have a few close friends I can talk to about al-anon. People have warped views of the program. The rest of my friends are either on the path to destruction or already in the midst of it. Often I feel better just being alone, which is absolutely NOT like me. I used to be the life of the party and very outgoing. I am still friendly but I enjoy my alone time or I like to just be with my husband or a close friend. Sometimes I am so grateful I found this board because it is hope right at my fingertips, right in my living room. Each of you make it possible and I have so much gratitude for the people on here. Love you all. Great topic, likemyheart!
-- Edited by Michelle814 on Saturday 11th of February 2012 11:20:48 AM
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Michelle!
No one can take away your peace of mind unless you let them.
I bring so much wisdom with me from the board in dealing with life in general. I don't know what I would do without this board right now I would so be not in a good place. CNN here I come kind of not good too .. lol. It means so much to me to be able to read, participate and know others are experiencing their own pain, looking to grow and change. So I would say yes, .. lol .. I don't know if I refer to the boards as "the board" I have caught myself saying "my online family".
In coming here I have learned 10x about the program because everyone brings such a different experience of putting the program to practice. It has helped me so much and I am grateful as well as humbled by the whole experience.
So glad to be sharing this experience with you LMH!! 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
Yes and it occurs more when you go to a lot of face to face meetings. It becomes "They say" this and "They say" that. Some times I wonder where my own ideas overlap with 12 step jargon and things I have picked up both on the boards here and at meetings. Ultimately, I don't care cuz even if the sayings and philosophy are not unique, they help me so much.
II have told my Al-anon group and friends about it in hopes they can spread the word. My sponsor said she would be on here if she had a computer. That is partly why I changed my name awhile back. I want anyone that needs the love and support ar offer here to be able to get it. I love the wisdom my MIP family brings me! Great topic!!!
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Sending you love and support on your journey always! BreakingFree
Al-Anon/Alateen Family Group Headquarters, Inc. 800-344-2666
" Pain is inevitable, suffering is optional."
"Serenity is when your body and mind are in the same place."
It's funny, I mentioned the board just last night over dinner!!!! I also mentioned it the other day to the counselor of my ABF's after care group session because he asked our family group if we'd attended Al Anon this week. I know I'm still new and haven't had a chance to 'talk' with everyone yet, but in the short time I've been here, I can honestly say I feel such sincerity and love whenever I read everyone's posts. Your personalities shine through in yours posts, and your praises and struggles and highs and lows encourage me because they reassure me that I'm not alone in what I'm feeling. There are times when I'm not able to visit my F2F Al Anon group (like late at night or early in the morning, and I don't yet have a sponsor I can call), so it's a relief to know I can log onto the board at any time of day or night, any day of the week, and find a listening ear and a supportive online hug. I love that I've found this place!!!
LOL I totally talk about the board. Like what Mark said about talking about it in meetings, I can totally relate!!! I love the ESH found here. This is an amazing place!!!
Thank ou so much. I was feeling stronger when I went to my meetings once a week. Each time he goes back to drinking it feels like a set back for me. The lying and sneaking makes me feel crazy. The last time he had a hip operation he stopped drinking for three months; on the night before my Mom's wake he drank so much. When I was reading my literature, staying closer to my higher power, and attending meetings I felt stronger and felt like I was taking care of myself. Now I am feeling a bit depressed and have lost the motto of living one day at a time. We have been married for thirty two years, but I recently have lost some feelings of closeness. emil
-- Edited by emil on Saturday 11th of February 2012 08:30:10 PM
This is my first time writing online. The person in my life that drinks is not currently drinking. He is recovering from an operation. I am afraid once he begins to feel better the roller coaster will begin again. He stops for a few months to a year at a time, but when he begins again he lies and sneaks. That is the hardest part for me. My trust level has been destroyed and I harvest so much disappointment and anger. I was going to local meetings and working my steps, but I need to get started again. I need support. I feel sad and alone. Emil
Please keep coming back Beaking the isolations is really important.
I stopped attending meetings and reverted back to my former attitudes in a short time. I ran back because I knew what recovery felt like----. I knew I was worth it. Please do the same
I also have memtioned this Board offen at my Face to Face meetings and given out he web address
Hi Betty Yes, I will go back to my meetings. I truly believe that will help me focus on my own recovery. If I introduce myself on this, where do I post it? I think that between the meetings and online will bring me back to the road of feeling a sense of control. thank you so much. I just hate feeling like "what If" I need to live in the moment emil
I actually have more ¨conversations¨ with the people on this board than I do with people in real life, lol! But I was having dinner with a friend last night and mentioned a topic and the replies that had come up on the board. And I'm constantly having conversations with myself about things I've read and learned here. emil-welcome to MIP! I'm glad you found us. I hope you will introduce yourself so we can get to know you. Keep coming back, there is so much help and support here. You are not alone.
J