District – Page 18 – "CAL Chat" Blog ~My journey in Al-Anon~

CAL – The Al-Anon Family Groups (Classic Edition) (Item # B-5)

WHAT I LEARNED: 1. I knew this was Al-Anon’s first book that was printed in 1955 & that Lois Wilson intended this to be our “Big Book.” What I didn’t know is that the first draft was just going to be a pamphlet & now this re-issue from 2000 is actually several versions of this…

CAL – This is Al-Anon (Item # P-32)

At a recent Gratitude Dinner, the emcee quickly came up to me & asked for something that she could have at the podium that included the Serenity Prayer, Steps, Traditions, Concepts, Warranties & Al-Anon Declaration. I said I had just the perfect thing! Rather than give her a book, I gave her this pamphlet. And…

MTG – Winter Park – “Winter Park Morning AFG”

WHAT I LEARNED: This phrase holds me hostage: “If you love me, you would…” This phrase sets me free: “If I love myself, I would…”

CAL – Getting Started (Item # S-15R)

WHAT I LEARNED: 1. This is the tenth & last item in the general Al-Anon Newcomer Packet (item # K-10) & it has a very special distinction that I just found out. As far as my research can tell, this item # S-15R is the only piece of active literature that is not listed on any…

CAL – Just for Today Bookmark (Item # M-12)

WHAT I LEARNED: This is the ninth item in the general Al-Anon Newcomer Packet (item # K-10) & I must admit, I have a favorite side of this bookmark – it’s the one with the St Francis prayer on it. So it’s been a long time since I actually turned it over to read the other side…

MTG – Orlando – “Easy Does It”

WHAT I LEARNED: “Today” is a word I need to use more often in order to gain perspective. If I’m not having a great day, I’m only having it …“today.” It’s not going to be for the whole week/month/year. It reminds me tomorrow can always be different.

CAL – The Forum Order Form (Item # S-41)

Ok, ok, you’re probably wondering why I’m reading an order form of all things. It’s because I wanted to read the entire general Al-Anon Newcomer Packet (item # K-10) & this is the eighth item in it. WHAT I LEARNED: 1. This form mentions that The Forum magazine is the voice of the fellowship today. …So…

CAL – Al-Anon Spoken Here (Item # P-53)

WHAT I LEARNED: 1. This is the seventh pamphlet in the general Al-Anon Newcomer Packet (item # K-10) & is the only one marked “Service” on the front (instead of “Recovery”). I imagine that’s because this pamphlet is also used as outreach literature. 2. This pamphlet addresses 15 common Frequently Asked Questions – especially regarding…

MTG – Maitland – “Saturday Serenity AFG”

WHAT I LEARNED: The clock in the room was stuck at 20 minutes ’til the top of the hour. I knew it was broken even before the meeting started, yet as the meeting continued, every time I glanced at it I thought the time was correct. Oh how I’ve done this with so many things in my life! Where…

CAL – A Guide for the Family of the Alcoholic (Item # P-7)

This is the sixth pamphlet in the general Al-Anon Newcomer Packet (item # K-10) & is one of the few examples of early “outside literature” being grandfathered into the CAL catalog. It was issued in 1962 & is primarily based on an article by a non-member: the former director of the Charlotte Council on Alcoholism. This pamphlet…

MTG – Maitland – “Wednesday Morning Harmony AFG”

WHAT I LEARNED: If I was given the chance between changing either one thing in my past or one thing in my future, who’s to say it would really make any difference in my life? …Because I would still be exactly where I need to be.

CAL – Dear Mom & Dad (Item # P-67)

WHAT I LEARNED: This is the fifth pamphlet in the general Al-Anon Newcomer Packet (item # K-10). It mostly features testimonials from Alateen members, but what I really found interesting is this was the first time I’ve read the Alateen preamble. I thought only a few words would be changed compared to the one I’m used to…

CAL – So You Love an Alcoholic (Item # P-14)

WHAT I LEARNED: 1. So you love an alcoholic? Well join the club! This is the fourth pamphlet in the general Al-Anon Newcomer Packet (item # K-10). I like that it lists several “Do’s” & “Don’ts.” I’ve seen a great list like this for Alateen (item # M-9), but this is the first one I’ve…

CAL – Understanding Ourselves & Alcoholism (Item # P-48)

WHAT I LEARNED: This is the third pamphlet in the general Al-Anon Newcomer Packet (item # K-10) & I think it could’ve easily been named “Been There, Done That!” It lays out the predictable patterns of both the alcoholic & the non-alcoholic with such precision it seems it could be a science. This pamphlet doesn’t sugar-coat…

MTG – Maitland – “Carrying the Message AFG”

WHAT I LEARNED: Sometimes in life it’s not just my phone that needs to be on “silent,” but my mouth as well. Or maybe some days, just for fun, it should be on vibrate! Ha ha!