Not if I can help it... - Al-Anon Family Group

Jerry F · ~*Service Worker*~

Not if I can help it...

cloudyskies · ~*Service Worker*~

I love what you are saying Jerry. I love that you are wiling to commit to 6 months of opening the meetings. I love seeing the passion in your heart that drives you to your commitments with these programs. I know without a doubt that there are very few people in this world who have not been affected by alcoholism in some way or another. If we could just get them through the doors, think how many lives would be saved, and how many people would be living happier more fuller lives.

Kudos to you, Jerry, for stepping up and doing what you can! HP will bless you in the process!

It works if you work it!

neshema2 · ~*Service Worker*~

Jerry F wrote:

.commit to being there and opening the meeting for 6 months....minor as that in the least would mean attending 24 meetings that will help me remain in this serene and sane life. Passing it on and getting it passed back within networking which is what we ultimately do...the 12th step, the giving it away step, the helping others step.
I have not seen a decrease in the destruction that is being caused by addictions in my village, on my island or anywhere else. In fact the manufacturers are increasing production of mind and mood altering alcohol both in products and inventories. Within the boundaries of Al-Anon Traditions and using the Steps I will attempt to offer the alternatives I was given when HP led me to the doors of the AFG. For that....I am responsible. MIP encourages me on a daily basis to "Give it away". (((((MIP)))))

(((((((((((((((((((((((((Jerry)))))))))))))))))))))))) awesome share......LOVE it when a person stands up for being healthy, happy and free.....You go, my good alanon brother!!!!!!! and i agree....mind and mood altering alcohol is on the increase and ads for that stuff...with the holidays coming up, it seems to be more.....Love this powerful share.......

grateful2be · ~*Service Worker*~

Now there's an example of changing what you can! Good for you and your wife, Jerry.

I read some of the news today and noticed that Vets are requesting pot as medicine. I've known several vets who came back from Viet Nam and elsewhere loaded up on alcohol, heroin, hashish or other drugs - most ending up in jail, prison or homeless. It is sad to me when living life seems so hard that we need to dumb it down or push it down or otherwise deny the pain we are in rather than facing the reasons for the pain and doing something about it. I know that the vets I met had done some awful things and had seen some awful things. No matter what they drank or ingested or inhaled, it simply didn't take the need for release from the pain away. The drugs, as you know, just make everything worse.

hotrod · ~*Service Worker*~

I hear you Jerry. After Hurricane Sandy hit NYC a few years ago one of the meetings I started over 20 years ago was washed out of its home meeting place and displaced. We found temporary space, that cost a great deal of money in a different location and the meeting dwindled . I attended our new place for nearly a year and when our old space opened up again attempted to get our old place back again We were refused a meeting room as the Hospital was not willing to give space to any group again. I worked hard making calls and finally by contacting the PR person, after many telephone calls, regained our space. I am so happy we are back, The meeting has grown stronger but it is clear that we must all show up, give of ourselves by filling Service positions, so that our groups can grow.

know before alanon I never volunteered for anything I hated to participate and always let others do it.. Thanks HP for giving me the willingness to belong.

I am glad you committed to service at this group again. I pray it flourishes

Jerry F · ~*Service Worker*~

There is so much truth in your share Grateful... The drugs, as you know, just make everything worse. Amen (((hugs))) smile

bud · ~*Service Worker*~

(((Jerry))) What a beautiful offering from a beautiful heart! Thank you for being generous and inspiring generosity.

Jerry F · ~*Service Worker*~

Betty all I have to do is remember how I started in the AFG and who came to my aid and support and when and how and how often other things were set aside so that I could have the support which was so necessary to just breathing at times. The miracles of recovery so often have faces and names to me and for that I am most grateful. My elder sponsor told me early on when I was doubting that the program would or did work for me with, "If you want to know if this program actually works?, give it away to someone else and watch them work it". The summary of the steps is "Trust God" (steps 1-3) "Clean House" (4-11) "Help Others" (12). There is no end date. ((((hugs)))) smile

hotrod · ~*Service Worker*~

Thanks Jerry, I so agree .

Debilyn · ~*Service Worker*~

You are one of my rungs on my ladder here at mip that has always kept me real.

that is so cool you commited to six months. Its sad just when people need fellowship, they shut down and stop going.

hugs jerry

el-cee · ~*Service Worker*~

Good on you Jerry, it makes me sad and then mad to see meetings close due to small numbers because your right the problem has not got any less. Sometimes I think, has Alanon embraced new technology enough? Its difficult due to anonymity but with social media you would think there must be ways to get the message out there to people. Thats quite a responsibility on just your shoulders, I hope the numbers go up and others can help out.

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.