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.
The Alanon concepts might seem to be a long way off to some people.
But I think it begins when a person comes to their first meeting. Simply coming along is the first stage of participation.
We don't have to be getting it right- at least not all of the time. We have all bin there, done that... there is nothing left to shock or surprise me inside of the rooms. When I first looked at this concept I thought is was about the organisation of Alanon; from group level right to the top. And, in a way, it is.
But as I absorbed the idea, along with the slogans, I realised that applied to my inner being. I did not keep being busy, busy, busy.... I just had to pitch in, when needed... try to speak when I had something to say; and simply drop my pretences and be the person I was meant to be.
This was easy, in the end. I was learning to relax, to accept myself... I was able to respect myself as well...
~the people I admired the most in Alanon were able to carry themselves, were able to shed their fears and griefs, over time...
I wanted some of that and I had to come into Alanon to get it.
And not stand back...
Thanks for the chance to share, and for the honour of being one among many...
Thank you David. I was a loner before program and thought that was a fine way to be. I hated participation and belonging to a crowd or group
I am so pleased that I learned how to participate in alanon, without losing myself and becoming invisible in the group. . I also found that just by being present and really" listening" with an open mind and non judgmental heart to what was said was a grand way to participate.
