This reading reflects upon people arriving at alanon from despair and unhappiness, and feeling like there are no choices left.  Although the newcomer often finds relief from talking it all out, members encourage newcomers to do less and less unburdening.  There is work to do, new things to be learned, and the problems from the past and fears of the future must be moved out of the way.

Reminder:  Alanon is not a sounding board for continually reviewing our miseries, but a way to learn to detach ourselves from them.  I will learn by listening, by reading alanon literature, and by trying to live the Twelve Steps.

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This reading allowed me to take a look at myself.  First, I remembered my very first F2F meeting.  I let all my misery out, and everyone listened.  When I finished, they said welcome, and keep coming back.  That felt like a huge weight had been lifted off my shoulders. No one laughed or criticized.  But most in the meeting were in a different place--they could focus on the topic of the day, and they seemed calm and happy unlike myself.  Over time I could focus on the topic.  And now years later, I can see the pain of the newcomer, have compassion, and see how far I have come.  Grateful member.