Episode 5 of my “CAL Chat” podcast is now available to listen to! What is failure really about? How can I be ok with not being in control? What can help with delegating? (To hear this episode, please visit the show’s website at: calchatpodcast.com – or you can subscribe to it for free wherever you…
Tag: Website
CAL – Parents of Alcoholics (Item # R-18)
WHAT I LEARNED: 1. The item # for this short 12-page piece begins with an “R” because this is a reprint of various articles from The Forum magazine. It came out in 2012 & reprints are typically only printed for a 2-year period. However, demand for this piece must be high because it’s now 4 years later…
PODCAST – From Survival To Recovery / Did You Grow Up With A Problem Drinker? (Item #’s B-21 / S-25)
Episode 4 of my “CAL Chat” podcast is now available to listen to! How is alcoholism a disease of extremes? What does the term “Adult Child” mean? Am I trapped in a compulsive need? (To hear this episode, please visit the show’s website at: calchatpodcast.com – or you can subscribe to it for free wherever…
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…
PODCAST – Service Manual / Courage To Change (Item #’s P-24/27 / B-16)
Episode 3 of my “CAL Chat” podcast is now available to listen to! How can I give the gift of dignity to the alcoholic? What page is possibly read the least in each daily reader? How can my inner child voice be heard in a different way? Once again, I had such a great conversation…
CAL – Al-Anon/Alateen Service Manual 2014-2017 (Item # P-24/27)
WHAT I LEARNED: 1. Originally, I only read the “Al-Anon/Alateen Service Manual” on an as-needed basis, but when my next podcast guest said that this was her favorite book that she wanted to talk about on my “CAL Chat” show, I had to dust off my manual & put on my scuba reading mask to…
PODCAST – One Day At A Time / Detachment (Item #’s B-6 / S-19)
Episode 2 of my “CAL Chat” podcast is now available to listen to! Why is Al-Anon not considered a self-help recovery program? How is detaching different than separating? Am I making my spirit sick? It was such a good conversation, I didn’t want to edit anything out, so I had to break it into 2…
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…
MTG – Kissimmee – “Sólo Por Hoy”
WHAT I LEARNED: 1. When I have to make a decision & I’m unsure of my Higher Power’s will, I go with the decision that brings me the most peace. 2. In a Spanish meeting, the message still came through even when the translator wasn’t speaking! *A special thanks goes out to District 10’s Travel Support Team…
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…
MTG – Orlando – “Peace Within AFG”
WHAT I LEARNED: We talked a little about the new upcoming Daily Reader that is about diversity in the program & someone mentioned: “We all smile in the same language.” Awww… Actually, that might be a good title for the book!! ━━━━━▼━━━━━ **BONUS: If you’d like to submit a personal sharing for the new…
CAL – Worried About Someone’s Mental Health? (Item # P-80)
WHAT I LEARNED: 1. This pamphlet was 1 of 6 of an “Al-Anon Can Help” series that was introduced in 1995 as part of a big push for service in institutions. It was designed to invite family members & friends of alcoholics at, or in, institutions to try Al-Anon where they live. This pamphlet didn’t…
CAL – Reserve Fund Guideline (Item # G-41)
WHAT I LEARNED: 1. This guideline focuses on withholding money for good, healthy reasons. How different that is from my pre-Al-Anon days when I withheld money out of fear, or as punishment… 2. The most interesting part of this guideline is the list of personal questions on page 4 – especially the question about how my…
CAL – Guideline for Al-Anon Websites (Item # G-40)
WHAT I LEARNED: 1. There is no such thing as “Conference Approved” text to use on Al-Anon websites, therefore it’s not necessary for all sites to use the same wording. Freedom! Whoo-hoo! Ha ha ha. 😃 2. I understand that links on an Al-Anon site to non-Al-Anon sites would give the appearance of affiliation & are to…
CAL – Area Public Outreach Coordinator (Item # G-38)
WHAT I LEARNED: 1. Because Areas can vary due to autonomy (just like groups), the work of an Area Public Outreach Coordinator can actually be split into various committees or job positions: PI (Public Information), CPC (Cooperating with the Professional Community), & Institutions Coordinators. I don’t know of any other Area position that does this,…
CAL – Electronic Al-Anon Meeting Guideline (Item # G-39)
WHAT I LEARNED: 1. According to this guideline, there are 3 types of online Al-Anon meetings that the World Service Office (WSO) will register: chat, email, or message board. (…I guess Skype meetings haven’t caught on yet?) 2. There’s still a Seventh Tradition basket! Donations are sent directly to WSO, rather than a District or…
"CAL Chat" Blog ~My journey in Al-Anon~ 