WHAT I LEARNED: Sometimes I have an illness of not listening. If I listened as intently to people outside the rooms, as I do inside them, I wonder how much better off I’d be…
Tag: Twelve Step Program
CAL – To Parents of Alcoholics (Item # P-16)
Yesterday I finished the Adult Children of Alcoholics Newcomer Packet (item # K-21). This week there’s only this one pamphlet to read from the Parents’ Newcomer Packet (K-24). –What I learned about all the other items in this packet can be found in previous entries for the general Al-Anon Newcomer Packet (K-10). 1. This pamphlet is a…
CAL – Did you Grow up With a Problem Drinker? (Item # S-25)
WHAT I LEARNED: This is the sixth item in the Adult Children of Alcoholics Newcomer Packet (item # K-21) & is a personal favorite of mine. When I first came into the program I was given this leaflet & I remember secretly answering “Yes” to all 20 questions. It spooked me because I thought “How…
MTG – Altamonte Springs – “Seminole AFG”
WHAT I LEARNED: Change is what I make of it.
CAL – Al-Anon Family Groups Welcomes Adult Children of Alcoholics (Item # S-69)
WHAT I LEARNED: 1. In the Adult Children of Alcoholics Newcomer Packet (item # K-21), this is the third pamphlet & it features 10 mini sharings interspersed with other Al-Anon info. 2. This is the first pamphlet I’ve seen that shows separate info for a 2nd headquarters – in Canada! (Which looks like it just had an…
CAL – Al-Anon Sharings from Adult Children (Item # P-47)
Last week I finished reading the entire general Al-Anon Newcomer Packet (item # K-10), so now I’m starting on the next one that fits me best: the Adult Children of Alcoholics Packet (K-21). WHAT I LEARNED: In this pamphlet, I’m glad to see that a couple of the sharings were from Alateen members, but the…
MTG – Casselberry – “Recovery Through the Steps AFG”
WHAT I LEARNED: If I need to make amends to someone that is no longer around, instead of writing a letter, I can write an amends poem!
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 – Oviedo – “Listen & Learn AFG”
WHAT I LEARNED: If I ever get Alzheimer’s, I hope the memory of my very first meeting is one of the last things to go. …I want to hold onto that moment for as long as I can.
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.
MTG – Orlando – “College Park 12 Step”
WHAT I LEARNED: Today I learned the 9 best words in the program! Contact me through the “comments” section if you’d like to know what they are. 🤫
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 Chat" Blog ~My journey in Al-Anon~ 