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.
One of the gifts of recovery for me has been doing things for myself... like actually taking a vacation! Not just making a list of things to do around the house in my off time, but actually getting on a transcontinental flight... even if it's just for a long weekend.
Flying has never been one of my favorite things, but I'm able to just see it as a means to an end. One of those things where I don't love the process, but I have to do it to get where I'm going. Flying is right up there with cleaning my bathroom on my list of favorite things to do, and like the bathroom, I'm glad when it's done.
I was just thinking how much better it would be if I could pass the time with fellow recovering 12-steppers. A meeting in the sky! Not likely to be on this trip, but it's something fun to think about.
At one point in my life, I went 9 years without actually taking a full week off work and getting out of town. Always some excuse, something more pressing, not enough money, somebody (A or otherwise) needs me... always something. And if I couldn't drive it in a day or less, I didn't do it. Well I finally did it... thinking the whole world would fall apart while I was gone. It didn't... and after I got over that initial letdown that I wasn't that important, I said hey, I should do this more often!
And I have ever since... but I still struggle in the weeks leading up to a vacation, worrying about money, this or that... looking for an excuse to cancel. But... I rarely cancel. I'm out of here in about 3 hours!
This is a good reminder for me. I work in the hotel business. The A normally gets blotto on the holidays. One of my options is to cash in my hotel vouchers and go stay in a hotel. I want to be a martyr and say oh no I won't do it. At the same time it is a time of huge resentment for me to endure the A over the holidays. This year I am trying to do differently.
It is more than 5 years since I took a break. Like you I have every excuse in the book.
I will find a way to make time for myself these holidays.
This strikes me too, I was thinking about flying me and the kiddles to washington to see my mom and was thinking how bad the ex would feel if I left him here all alone for the holidays (kicking myself over and over) I just want to erase him from my mind!!! I don't want to care how he would feel!!!! I'm gonna see how much it is and maybe if I can get her to pay 1/2?
Airborne , well start saving your pennies and round up some program friends for 2008 in Pittsburg PA. Al-Anon International Convention with AA participation. I was lucky enough to attend our last one in Salt Lake City it was amazing. see you there. Louise
Well I made it to my destination... and via a flaky intermittent connection here I am.
I didn't even get mad at the rental car company for having only (2) people working with a line of about 50 people. I just struck up a conversation with the other people in line and we all swapped rental car horror stories.
I even ended up with a nice car. Monte Carlo... my favorite car to rent.
Anyway, I guess I shouldn't be on the net at all. Too much like work!
