WHAT I LEARNED: I’ve always misinterpreted the title of this pamphlet to be “What Can You Do…” & I thought it would be chock-full of helpful tips, but now that I’ve read through the whole thing I think the title could be re-named: “Crazy Things You Do to Control the Alcoholic.” It’s a list of 63 strategies & techniques that only…
Tag: Alcoholism
MTG – Maitland – “Survival to Recovery”
WHAT I LEARNED: Humility is something I can never be too full of.
MTG – Mt. Dora – “A Better Way”
WHAT I LEARNED: It’s impossible for me to be dishonest & feel free at the same time.
CAL – Al-Anon Faces Alcoholism 2014 (Item # N/A)
WHAT I LEARNED: 1. Ok, I must admit, during all the years I’ve passed out this magazine for outreach purposes, I never fully read through one until now. I used to just read 1 or 2 of the articles & that was it. And perhaps, maybe that’s how it’s read by people in doctor or counselor…
MTG – Maitland – “Wednesday Morning Harmony AFG”
WHAT I LEARNED: When I know better, I do better.
CAL – Al-Anon, You, & the Alcoholic (Item # P-2)
WHAT I LEARNED: 1. This pamphlet first came out in 1965 & is filled with 22 frequently asked questions & after reading it, I think it could definitely be used for outreach purposes – even though it’s not categorized that way on the World Service Office (WSO) website. 2. This is the first pamphlet where…
MTG – Winter Park – “Winter Park Winners AFG”
WHAT I LEARNED: Even when I was controlling, I was never in control. It was all an illusion.
CAL – Alcoholism, a Merry-Go-Round Named Denial (Item # P-3)
WHAT I LEARNED: 1. How great would it be to give a talk at an Al-Anon workshop & it goes over so well, they want to turn it into a pamphlet?! 😲 Well that’s what happened in 1968 to one non-member: the former director of the Charlotte Council on Alcoholism. This pamphlet was published a…
MTG – Casselberry – “Recovery Through the Steps AFG”
WHAT I LEARNED: In any service position I take, I become a Trusted Servant. Even if it is just a small task, I am serving a need, as well as others around me, & the will of my Higher Power too!
CAL – The Twelve Steps & Traditions (Item # P-17)
WHAT I LEARNED: 1. Continuing on with my historical jaunt through the pamphlets… 1961 was a major year for Al-Anon. After being around for 10 years, they finally had their first trial Conference that year & the concept of having Conference Approved material was adopted — yet, at that time, groups were still allowed to…
CAL – Alcoholism, the Family Disease (Item # P-4)
WHAT I LEARNED: 1. This pamphlet is another example of outside literature being “grandfathered” in. A big “Thanks!” goes out to a non-member, Harold Black, & the initial Kentucky & Arizona groups for their contribution to this one. Per “Many Voices, One Journey” (item # B-31) (pages 58 & 104), an early booklet version was…
CAL – Freedom from Despair (Item # P-6)
Last week I finished the Alateen Newcomer Packet (item # K-18). That means I’m done with all 6 types of packets (whoo-hoo!) & I’m moving on with other pamphlets. It seems going back to the beginning is a good place to start… 1. According to page 88 of the (discontinued) book “First Steps: Al-Anon–35 Years of Beginnings” (item…
CAL – Alateen Talk Newsletter (Item # N/A)
WHAT I LEARNED: 1. This is the eleventh & last item in the Alateen Newcomer Packet (item # K-18) & is a full issue of a newsletter – not an excerpt. The particular one in this packet is 8 pages total, has feedback on a writing workshop & an Alateen Conference, various sharings from members around…
CAL – Alateen Talk Subscription Form (Item # N/A)
WHAT I LEARNED: This is the tenth item in the Alateen Newcomer Packet (item # K-18). Every registered Alateen group should already be receiving a copy of this quarterly newsletter (that will be the next item I review), but individuals can also order their own personal copy using this form. As of this year, 2013, the…
CAL – Just for Today Alateen Bookmark (Item # M-13)
WHAT I LEARNED: This is the fifth item in the Alateen Newcomer Packet (item # K-18) & it’s very different than the Al-Anon bookmark by the same name (item # M-12). The “Thank You God” prayer is a good gratitude reminder for those days when I can’t think of anything to be grateful for!
CAL – If Your Parents Drink Too Much… (Item # P-22)
WHAT I LEARNED: 1. This is the fourth item in the Alateen Newcomer Packet (item # K-18) & is a cartoon booklet. Technically, it’s not categorized as an “Outreach” item, but I think it could be because it looks like the only thing in the entire packet (& our entire CAL catalog) that would appeal to…
"CAL Chat" Blog ~My journey in Al-Anon~ 