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Heard at a Meeting
Working Step Three and turning our lives and will over to the care of God, as we understand Him, reminds me of the story of the man who pushed a wheelbarrow over Niagara Falls on a tight-wire. Another man comes up, full of admiration for the tight-wire artist's feat of daring. "Do you really believe I can do it?" the tight-wire artist asks. "Of course, I've seen you at work many times," the man answers. "Then, if you believe, jump in," says the tight-wire artist." What courage it takes to jump into that wheelbarrow, trusting my Higher Power to take me safely to the other side, across the roaring chasm, my path hidden from me in the mists but well-known to Him.
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Dear Al-Anon or Alateen Member,
Welcome to the District 14 Al-Anon/Alateen Monthly Newsletter. This newsletter is created and distributed by Al-Anon members. Any member of Al-Anon or Alateen is welcome to contribute to this newsletter. |
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Recovery In Our Own Words
 What is my understanding of Step Two?
Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.
Step Two gives me hope. I learned that hope replaces desperation. I looked at my own insanity. I do have a choice in how to act. Solving others' problems does not make my life simpler, but rather adds to the insanity. When I hear myself say "if only", I recognize my own insanity.
Coming to believe is a process I can appreciate and honor. I like the idea of restoration as changing to a point where obsession and accompanying insanity don't control me anymore. I've found that a power greater than myself could restore me to sanity. It helped to focus on knowing that a Power could help me rather than focusing on making a connection with a specific Higher Power.
Step Two is about open mindedness, willingness, faith and trust. I can't recover alone. There is a Power that can help if I'm willing. I don't have to remain paralyzed, which is where this is no room for change. It is right and necessary to ask for help, and I can trust in that Power. Anger only gives me an illusion of power. The only power I have is to carry out God's will. Fear is the opposite of love, and where I am without God. I can replace fear with faith. Only then can I trust, and look forward to the comfort of the unknown treasures God provides. Anonymous
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District 14 and Beyond News
 Items if Interest from April 6th, 2011 District 14 Meeting - Request that members donate old Forum magazines for use in prisons. Give to your Group Rep.
- Approved purchase of new speaker system for monthly Speaker meeting.
- Bob B approved to fill alternate coordinator position for Website and Karen and Linda W for coordinator and alternate coordinator for Newsletter. Use of Constant Contact to produce newsletter online approved.
- Al-Anon Hotline looking for volunteers to answer calls for whatever period and days are best for them. Contact Anna at 925-989-0956.
- There is a need for a literature person for the Speaker Meeting in April & May. Please contact Frannie at 787-3127
- Al-Anon's newest book Many Voices, One Journey will be released mid-April. It tells the story of the growth of the fellowship and recovery among its members over the past 60 years. It is divided into short segments that can be read at meetings, with questions for group discussion or personal reflection.
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Service Corner
Views of Southwest Regional Delegates Meeting in Hawaii (see Bienvenidos section for another member's view):
From Johanna MM:
I would like to thank District 14 for sending me to SWRDM. Being in Hawaii was fantastic. I've always valued our Past Delegates for their service and their wisdom. SWRDM is where they shine, a way for the Past Delegates to keep up to date on the current issues and to pass on their Experience, Strength, and Hope to new and current Delegates.
There was also a chance to learn what's going on in other Areas, what they think is important and interesting. John got a chance to brag about our prison outreach.
New Delegates got to tell their story and let everyone get to know them better. Outgoing Delegates practiced the talk they will give at Conference. There were Al-Anon speakers on Saturday and Sunday. Each day there were Al-Anon meetings, all amazing because everyone had so many years of being in Al-Anon and giving Service.
Martha L and I went on the tour to the Polynesian Cultural Center, learning about the Polynesian people in a fun way. As I was boarding the bus to come home about 9 PM, I got a text from my daughter-in-law about the earthquake in Japan, with a tsunami predicted for Hawaii at 3 AM. Our hotel was in the evacuation zone, but we were on the upper floors, which we were assured were safe.
I took the precaution to fill two water bottles and went to sleep. I figured HP was in charge. As it happened, the tsunami was worse in California than in Hawaii, where it just created some large waves. There was some damage on Maui and the Big Island, but it was fairly ho-hum for Honolulu. I woke at 6 AM to find the power still on, the water running, and nothing out of place. I was reminded once more that worrying gives me something to do but doesn't get me anywhere. I am so glad to be in Service in Al-Anon.
From Lydia S:
Although I was surrounded by Al-Anon program, I still brought and held on tight to my old baggage. This became most evident when the threat of the tsunami was upon us.
The news displayed horrifying scenes of the earthquake and the aftermath of huge waves devastating the coastal cities of Japan. Although the young night manager assured me that we would be safe above the 3rd floor, I pictured the Twin Towers as they collapsed; I remembered the shake of the Loma Prieta earthquake when I lived in Santa Cruz and days of frightening aftershocks that followed. I couldn't sleep for the constant sirens and bullhorns telling folks to move to higher ground. I missed my kids and wanted to hug them and tell them that I loved them. I asked God for my will.
I was grateful when morning came and I could join the circle downstairs with the Serenity Prayer, receive hugs from my Al-Anon family and thank God that not only was I spared the trauma of my imagination, but I found strength and even happiness in the midst of the perceived chaos.
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Bienvenidos a Al-Anon y Alateen
Junta Regional de Delegados del Southwest a Hawaii
From Martha:
Mi viaje a Hawaii fue maravilloso era una Junta Regional de Delegados del Southwest. El nombre de la junta fue: Ampliamos Nuestra Comunidad de Esperanza al Acoger:
- Los cimientos del pasado.
- Los éxitos de presente.
- Las posibilidades del futuro.
Este mensaje deveras me me iso reflexionar en mi pasado, presente y futuro, especialmente porque estava en un lugar lleno de tranquildad, paz, y rodeada de amor, amor de la familia que yo misma escogí, Grupos de familia AL-Anon.
Lo que yo he aprendido en esas juntas es algo muy importante, la libertad de ser yo, la libertad de aprender hacer las cosas mejor. Tambien estoy aprendiedo a ser honesta , a lidiar con mis miedos , cambiar mis actitudes, como comunicarme sin hacer caso de la enfermedad. Tambien me estoy dando cuenta que Dios siempre a estado conmigo y que siempre me a cuidando y todo lo tenia planedo para mi, fijense que la rifa del viaje fue en enero de 2011 y el viaje fue en marso 2011. en ese periodo de tiempo paso algo inesperado y grave dentro de mi familia esta relacionado con esta enfermedad desvastadora, una de mis hijas tiene un problema muy grave, pero es de mi hija y no mio en ese momento yo no podia comprender lo que abia escuchado y aprendido en los grupos, que yo no lo cause, no lo puedo controlar y no lo puedo curar o cambiar porque es mi hija y pensava que era mi obligacion salvarla nuevamente. En esos momentos yo no lo savia pero mi poder superior que para mi es Dios si lo sabia y tambien sabia lo dificil que es para mi soltar las riendas y dejarlo a EL que haga su trabajo. Creo que poreso puso ese viaje en mi camino y le estoy muy agradecida, porque fue exactamente lo que necesitaba. Al principio asta pensé cancelar el viaje fue entonces que decidí hablar con mi madrina y solo asta que ella me pregunto si yo creía que Dios se había equivocado entonces reaccione y tome la decisión de irme a Hawai.
AL-Anon me ha enseñado que los milagros existen como este viaje porque no solo conocí el lugar sino que también encontré recuperación fue una experiencia increíble y eso es solo por estar en el servicio. Hoy se que Dios nunca se equivoca, y cuando pienso en los beneficios que he recibido como producto de mi participación en Grupos de Familia AL-Anon siento ganas de celebrar, y estando en Hawai fue una muy buena celebración. Y pensándolo bien, creo que mi estancia en AL-Anon ha sido como este viaje. Asta pienso que diferente era la vida para mí antes de iniciar este viaje de recuperación en AL-Anon. También me ha ayudado y enseñado a comprenderme y a ser conciente de que los cimientos de mi pasado son los recuerdos de mi niñez y adolescencia de lo que ahora conozco como alcoholismo en fase activa. Mi cimiento me indico que estaba bien beber porque todos los adultos en mi familia bebían menos mi mama o mis abuelos. Algunos adultos asta utilizaban alcohol para aliviarme del dolor que sentía al salirme los dientes, y cuando era una jovencita algunos adultos me daban un trago de brandy para que se me quitara la tos. Yo creía que había algo incorrecto con las personas que no bebían.
Los éxitos del presente se basan principalmente en el hecho de que yo atravesara las puertas de mi primera reunión de AL-Anon. Empecé a centrar la atención en mi y poco a poco me empecé a recuperar. Ahora soy una fiel servidora y una miembro dedicada a la hermandad de AL-Anon y Alateen. Hoy cuento con el amor y el respeto de mi familia, incluidos los miembros de mi familia que todavía abusan del alcohol y las drogas.
Cuando pase por las puertas por primera vez, las personas que precisamente me trajeron eran personas a quien yo había maltratado verbal y, algunas veces, físicamente. He dejado de se fastidiosa con ellos y ellos tienen confianza en mi tan solo como madre, esposa, hermana o amiga le estoy muy agradecida a Dios por ver puesto en mi camino a AL-Anon.
Hoy se que las posibilidades del futuro son interminables. Espero continuar yendo a reuniones y hablando con miembros de nuestra maravillosa hermandad de grupos de familia Al-Anon (nuestra comunidad de esperanza). Y en mi viaje me la pase muy bonito en compañía de unas personas bien lindas y hubo diversión y recuperación, aprendí muchas cosas nuevas y me di cuenta de cuanta unidad y amor hay en toda la hermandad aunque nunca nos hayamos conocido antes. Gracias.
Bienvenido al sitio web de Al-anon Familia Grupos para el Distrito 14.Información para el recién llegado a Al-Anon Preguntas de los individuos que buscan información sobre la recuperación
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Alateen Corner
29th Annual Growing Together Weekend 
When: May 20, 21, and 22, 2011 Where: Westminster Woods 6510 Bohemian Hwy, Occidental, CA95465 Flyer and Detailed Information: Flyer Registration Ends May 7th 2011 Cost: $149 by April 15th, $159 after April 15th For More Information Contact: Nancy M., 510-657-0709 Alateen Sponsors Needed: Several additional schools are asking for Alateen meetings to be held at their schools, but we need more sponsors to fulfill these requests. To become an Alateen sponsor, contact
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Upcoming Events
Half-Day in Al-Anon
 "Together We Can Make It" When: September 10, 2010, 9 a.m. ~ Noon Workshops on Sponsorship and Sex & Intimacy Sponsored by District 14 Next Planning Session: When: April 14, 2011 Where: Papillon Coffee Shop 67 Lafayette Circle, Lafayette Time: 1:30 p.m. Questions? Contact Liz R. at 925-818-5601 Several service positions open. District 14 Speaker Meeting ~ April 23, 2011 ~ 6:30 p.m.  Guest Speaker - Steve G. (Al-Anon), Martinez Topic: Allergy of the Body: How understanding the neurobiology of the disease of alcoholism aided my Al-Anon recovery. Hosted By: Tuesday Noon Lafayette Group Where: Walnut Creek Kaiser 1515 Newell Ave. Medical Office Bldg., Oak Room, 3rd Floor NCWSA Al-Anon/Alateen Convention with Spanish and AA Participation ~ April 29, 30, May 1, 2011 "This Side of Heaven in 2011" Where: Embassy Suites Monterey-Seaside For More Information: convention@ncwsa.orgNCWSA Assembly ~ Saturday, May 21, 2011 "Plug Into Recovery" Where: Sonoma County Veterans Memorial Auditorium 1351 Maple Ave., Santa Rosa, CA 95403 Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Details: Lunch $5.00 paid at door, no pre-registration required For More Information: Peggy P at 707-763-1143 or facility@ncwsa.orgEvents in Other Districts District 16 Day in Al-Anon "A New Beginning...One Day at a Time" When: April 30, 2011 ~ 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Where: Trinity Lutheran Church For More Information: District 16 Website For Complete Listing of Events and Flyers: NCWSA Events
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Contribute to this Newsletter
A few words from your share at a recent meeting, a thought you had while reading conference approved literature, your take on one of the Steps or Traditions. Any tidbit is welcome as long as you remember that we speak Al-Anon here, leaving other therapies and programs outside. Send your contribution to the Newsletter by email with "Contribution" in the subject line.
Submissions may be edited for length and grammar and will published at the discretion of the editors when space permits. Authors will be notified of changes to their submissions.
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Archives of Past Newsletters
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Sincerely,
Co-Editors: Karen, District 14 Newsletter Coordinator
Linda W, Alternate District 14 Newsletter Coordinator
Contact the Editors: district14newsletter@yahoo.com |
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