WHAT I LEARNED: 1. In keeping with the same printing schedule as the first “Al-Anon Faces Alcoholism 2007” that came out in September 2006, the subsequent annual edition, “Al-Anon Faces Alcoholism 2008,” debuted in the fall of 2007. (From 2007 to 2019, the outreach magazine had only 2 print runs each year, so Al-Anon members could…
Tag: Gratitude
PODCAST – How Al-Anon Works / Newcomer Packet (Item #’s B-32, B-22, eA-22, & eB-22 / K-10)
Way back on July 1st, 2016, I posted the very first episode of my “CAL Chat” podcast, but I never did an official blog post about it…. until now! EPISODE 1: How many different types of Newcomer Packets are available? Which one pamphlet does Michael find helpful to read before his second Al-Anon meeting? How…
PODCAST – From Survival To Recovery / How Al-Anon Works (Item #’s B-21 / B-32, B-22, & eA-22)
EPISODE 13 of my “CAL Chat” podcast is now available to listen to! How is a pandemic similar to recovery? What Al-Anon audiobooks are available? Can a book also be a picture frame? (To hear this episode, please visit the show’s website at: calchatpodcast.com – or you can subscribe to it for free wherever you…
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…
MTG – Orlando – “Courage 2 Be Me Alateen AFG”
WHAT I LEARNED: Some possible new slogans for my collection: Let later happen. “Think and say thanks…” – from “Alateen–a day at a time” (item # B-10), page 7 (January 7th).
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…
PODCAST – Courage To Be Me / Various Alateen Literature (Item # B-23)
EPISODE 8 of my “CAL Chat” podcast is now available to listen to! How can I keep things simple? If my growth is like a tree, then what are my roots? What Alateen book can I bring to an Al-Anon meeting? (To hear this episode, please visit the show’s website at: calchatpodcast.com – or you…
MTG – Pensacola – “Gratitude”
WHAT I LEARNED: 1. Change is great when it’s other people doing it. 2. Where can I look for gratitude in a resentment?
MTG – Austin – “Living Gratitude”
WHAT I LEARNED: If I go into the past, I stir up regrets. If I go into the future, I stir up fears. So, it’s best for me to just stay in the present.
CAL – How Al-Anon Works (Item # B-22, B-32, eB-22, eA-22)
WHAT I LEARNED: 1. Originally, I was going to read this book as the very last one of this blog since I was making my way up to the top seller & according to the World Service Office, this one is it. …It would be like starting a climb by already being at the top…
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…
CAL – Alateen Safety Guidelines (Item # G-34)
WHAT I LEARNED: 1. According to this Alateen guideline, any reporting of child abuse is done on a personal basis, not as an Alateen Sponsor or an AMIAS (an Al-Anon Member Involved in Alateen Service). This is done with Tradition 10 in mind to keep the fellowship out of public controversy! 2. Even though I’m not a certified…
CAL – Ordering Literature (Item # G-31)
WHAT I LEARNED: 1. One might think that since I’m an LDC (Literature Distribution Center), that this would be my favorite Guideline of all, but that’s not the case. It focuses more on how to order literature directly through the World Service Office & only mentions in passing that ordering from your local LDC supports local services. (So…
CAL – Moving On! From Alateen to Al-Anon (Item # P-59)
WHAT I LEARNED: 1. This is my lowest selling pamphlet. Since December 2011, I’ve only sold a grand total of 1 — & that was at a Gratitude Dinner. So here again I thought “Why do I need to read this? …No one else is!” And once again, now after having read it, I feel…
"CAL Chat" Blog ~My journey in Al-Anon~ 