To me, it's sooooo sad to think of all the people that one single alcoholic can affect, and yet, so few attend Al-anon. I didn't think it was sad when I was in resistance myself of course, the disease wanted me to suffer too. cunning, baffling, powerful. all the way around. we suffer but we draw the line with what we're willing to do about it.  in the beginning, I admit I just wanted a little relief, I didn't really want to "change" myself.  aaack

There are more women in my al-anon meetings too, yes. But we all love, and benefit from the male perspective, we are equals in the meeting, if we are willing to listen for the similarities and not the differences, that suggestion helped me a lot to grow because my disease will look for all kinds of ways to separate me from the others, just to keep me isolated at home with my disease, stuck in my sick thinking. It's up to me to move my butt, take action and fight my disease. man oh man, I had to fight it.

My sponsor kicked my butt and I'm kicking yours because last thing my dis-ease needs is enablers. How often we get frustrated when we're subjected to automated machines when we want to do business these days. Yet, how we settle for it in recovery.

There is a reason al-anon suggests the internet be used as a supplement ONLY to face to face meetings, there is a big difference. not to mention, what we can do for the suffering right within our community by being present and reaching out at a meeting, it's not all about taking, it's about giving. just being present for Higher power to use, so that others know they are not alone.

I understand the anonymity factor. I know there are special meetings and facilities for those in the medical community, only for doctors and nurses to attend, it's a great need and someone decided to start it. HOwever, I do attend meetings with all kinds of high-profile members, and I just love how good it is for me to know I am an equal, this disease doesn't care who you are. so we do have the option to start another meeting in our area. 

I've been told, there is always a way, the important thing is to never say "never." Yes, we work our program however we can. I always got out of al-anon exactly what I put into it, I get to decide how badly I really want it. my Higher power always seemed to know my level of sincerity, hahaha, I just can't hide that.