Events – "CAL Chat" Blog ~My journey in Al-Anon~

N. FL Summer Assembly 2019 – Days 1 – 3

WHAT I LEARNED: 1. I have lost a lot of pain in Al-Anon. 2. Wise people plant trees under whose shade they’ll never sit. 3. We give from the gratitude we’ve already gotten. 4. The alcoholic has not volunteered to get sober. 5. God’s will for me is to stop playing God! 6. Joy is…

Gratitude Lunch – 12/8/18

WHAT I LEARNED: 1. A chair can be your Higher Power because it keeps your ass off the ground! 2. From the “Open letter from an Alcoholic” in the pamphlet “Three Views of Al-Anon” (item # P-15), I learned I was doing all the “don’ts!” — If you’d like to see a pic of my favorite…

N. FL Area Convention 2018 – Days 1 – 3

WHAT I LEARNED: 1. Fear is a dark room where negative emotions are exposed. 2. After I make amends, my weapons are no longer licensed. 3. The more I forget, the more I keep coming back! 4. I need to let go… of my need to know. 5. Sometimes I need to experience the consequences of…

N. FL Fall Assembly 2017 – Days 1 – 3

WHAT I LEARNED: 1. When I keep words like: should, shouldn’t, good, bad… out of my vocabulary, then I become more grateful. 2. I think that I think too much. 3. It’s important to know the difference between the God of my perception versus the God of my understanding. 4. If I don’t qualify my…

N. FL Area Convention 2017 – Days 1 – 3

WHAT I LEARNED: 1. Tradition 4 is about protecting Al-Anon for future generations. 2. When applauding an alcoholic’s total years of sobriety, I am actually applauding God’s work! 3. The opposite of addiction is not sobriety, it’s connection… Connection to a Higher Power. 4. Sometimes I need to put butter on it… & “let it…

WORKSHOP – Orlando – December 2016 Workshop

WHAT I LEARNED: I heard a new acronym today – “Talk” is: Thank God, Ask God, Let God, & Keep God.

Alateen Round-Up 2016

WHAT I LEARNED: “Today I’ll find something to laugh about & try to take life just a little less seriously.” – July 5th (page 187) from the daily reader: “Living Today in Alateen” (item # B-26).

WORKSHOP – Orlando – Conflict Resolution Workshop

WHAT I LEARNED: 1. Conflict is normal. Believing we can do things to avoid it is an illusion. 2. We don’t have to change, but we can change!

N. FL Fall Assembly 2016 – Days 1 – 3

WHAT I LEARNED: 1. Happiness is not a goal… it’s a by-product of how I live my life. 2. The etymology of the word “confidence” is “con fidelis” which means: “with faith.” 3. I’m confused about my confusion. 4. Dominance happens as long as you allow it to! 5. …this motion too shall pass! 😜

N. FL Area Convention 2016 – Days 1 – 3

WHAT I LEARNED: 1. Sanity is having the appropriate reaction to reality. 2. When things aren’t going your way, try not having one. 3. Life is only borrowed, & one day you’ll have to give it back. 4. I don’t take Steps 10 & 11 to make me feel better, I take them to make…

N. FL Spring Assembly 2016 – Day 3 of 3

WHAT I LEARNED: 1. I thought alcoholism was being done to me! 2. After the shock & fear goes away, I’m usually grateful. 3. I’m going to keep coming back until I’m not uncomfortable. 4. Step 1 = To start, I must accept that I’m done.

N. FL Spring Assembly 2016 – Day 2 of 3

WHAT I LEARNED: 1. It is impossible to out-give Al-Anon. 2. “Wait” stands for: Why Am I Talking? 3. The 3 B’s: Be brief, Be calm, & Be gone. 4. Welcome God into your conflict. 5. God is in the pause. 6. If your serenity was stolen, it was probably an inside job!

Gratitude Dinner – 11/15/15

WHAT I LEARNED: How many people would love me if I would just let them?

WORKSHOP – Orlando – Summer Service Workshop

WHAT I LEARNED: If Al-Anon was not supported by its own members, think of everything that would go away… groups, CAL literature, phone hotlines, websites, Gratitude Dinners, Conventions, & even the World Service Office. The Seventh Tradition reminds me that no one is an island & it makes me grateful for everything that we do…