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Heard at a meeting
I want to clean my side of the street, because I want my side of the street clean.
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It doesn't matter what somebody did to me. It's the resentments I carry that keep me from being happy, joyous, and free.
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God met me where I was at. He brought me what I needed.
If it is to be, it's up to me.
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My choices don't have to feel "good", they have to feel "right".
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There's no failure...only feedback.
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I pray to let nothing stand in the way of my being receptive to what Al-Anon has to offer (ODAT)
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When I detach my mind from what is troubling me, my problems often solve themselves (ODAT)
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All I had to do was become the least bit willing to open my clutched fist a tiny, grudging bit and miracles happened (Courage to Change)
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What's the difference between an Al-Anon and a pit bull? Meetings, Meetings, Meetings!!
* * * Your mind is like a bad neighborhood, you should never go there alone.
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If an alcoholic says something in the forest and there's no Al-Anon there to hear him, is he still wrong? |
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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
 A Share from a Parent:
I have been a grateful member of Alanon for 8 years while my qualifier has actively engaged in alcohol and drug addictions. When he was not living in my household, it was easier to let go and turn him over to his higher power. After being hospitalized for severe alcohol poisoning, he agreed to enter a treatment program and stayed clean and sober for 90 days. He also moved back in with his father and me. For the past 11 months, he has been in and out of recovery and entered a second treatment program. My husband and I have patiently waited for him to get a program and stay with it while we occasionally attended Alanon meetings.
Recently I have felt sad and frustrated about his lack of progress in maintaining his sobriety and for my own lack of consistency in working an Alanon program. I closed my eyes and tried to calm myself by repeating the Serenity prayer. When I got to the phrase "courage to change the things I can", I felt warmth settle around me and actually saw what looked like a gauzy bubble over me. I suddenly GOT what part of this life I can control-the space inside that bubble. It is one thing to know the words. It is another thing altogether to feel their meaning that deeply.
With this new awareness, I have set two new boundaries with my qualifier. I can't control what he will do, but I will stop protecting him from the consequences of his actions. I will attend regular Alanon meetings so that I remember to take care of myself and stay out of his affairs. I have tried to be his Higher Power and that didn't help any of us. My new job is to take care of myself.
With a renewed sense of gratitude,
Mary Jo
Concord
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District 14 and Beyond News
 The District 14 Monthly Meeting is held the 1st Wednesday of each month from 7:30 -9:00 in the Lesher Auditorium at the John Muir Medical Center, Concord Campus, 2540 East Street, Concord. Preceded by Concept discussion at 7:00 pm. ALL are welcome. 
Items of Interest from January 4, 2012 District 14 Meeting - Budget Meeting for 2012 - Saturday, January 21st
All coordinators need to attend this meeting to have input into the budget for their area of service. Please look at last year's budget and determine what your request for this year will be. Meeting is at 9951 Broadmoor Dr., San Ramon, starting at 10 a.m. Call Linda G., Treasurer, with questions: 925-556-6124
- The Literature Depot will be moving to Pleasant Hill. This should be an excellent central location for those picking up orders. Wynne, our new Literature Coordinator will provide the specific location and directions when orders are called in.
- Wednesday Night 7:00 pm Walnut Creek meeting on Sunnyvale needs support. Attendance at this meeting also affects attendance at the Alateen meetings held at the same time. The pre-teen (6 to 9 years of age) meeting has been cancelled for January because of the lack of sponsors. It may have to be cancelled permanently. There are still meetiings for "tweens" and older teens.
- Thursday Night 7:00 pm Martinez meeting also needs support. The Alateen meeting held at the same time is also in danger of being suspended for low attendance.
- Newsletter: GRs are encouraged to keep collecting email addresses (along with phone numbers so members can be called if their email address bounces). Submit new email addresses to: distict14newsletter@yahoo.com
 District Coordinator Positions: Please announce these remaining openings (in red) at every meeting for the next several weeks and consider doing service yourself. - Institutions
- Spanish Liaison
- Alateen Coordinator - Please note that our prior Alateen Coordinator is serving as Alternate Coordinator and can lend support to whoever fills this very important position.
- CD Lending Library - Lydia S.
- Archives - Scrapbooker's Heaven!
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 And it's not too late to add your own special donation for the DIA silent auction:
 Hotline Needs Volunteers. Al-Anon Hotline still has gaps in the schedule that need to be filled. You can volunteer for any day, any period of time. Call Paula M. at 925-513-1770.
- Northern CA Council of AA Annual Spring Conference with Al-Anon participation. Carla attended the planning meeting for this conference and we are being asked to arrange for Al-Anon literature to be available at this conference. It will take place March 16-18, 2012 at the San Ramon Marriott. Volunteers will be needed for this important service. Flyer.
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Service Corner
CONTINUING - Outgoing District 14 Officers and Coordinators express spiritual victories and gratitudes for their 3-year terms of service ending in December 2011.
Susan (Lit Depot): At the beginning I was filled with dread. By doing service, I found my voice. I learned that poor planning on your part doesn't constitute as emergency on mine.
Wynne: I started out as the "candy person". I worried whether I was doing it right but at least I was part of the meeting. Al-Anon gives to me. It's a privilege to do service. I've learned to set boundaries.
Martha (Institutions): I was scared at first and called and asked all sorts of questions. I learned acceptance. I'll be in service all my life. It's my life-saver!
Karen (GR): I started out an the Alternate GR and moved up to GR. I learned what questions to ask...you NEED to ask!
Kathy (GR): Through service I discovered that others had confidence in me. I didn't feel confidence in myself. Now when I take on a new position, I will be able to do it.
Sandy (GR): Without service, my recovery wouldn't be as good.
Amanda (CD Recording): Service taught me a lot and helped my recovery. I really started working the program.
Eugene (GR Men's Group): I'm a conduit. It goes from me to my group, to the district, to the WSO. My job is to see that information is passed along in both directions.
Claudette: I didn't know it was a three-year commitment. When I heard that, I said, "No way!" But now I'm grateful. It's the best thing I did in recovery.
Marilyn (Treasurer): Through serving the district, I can see the First Tradition at work...unity. I wish I'd known that in my family...
Gene (Public Outreach): I am filled with gratitude that 36 Al-Anon volunteers spoke to those in recovery at the Kaiser chemical dependency program over this past year.
Check District 14 News section for positions that are still open. Please consider service to the district. Three-year positions went into effect January 1st.
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Bienvenidos a Al-Anon y Alateen
JUNTA DE UNIDAD
EL COMITE DEL AREA NORTE DE CALIFORNIA,
EN APOYO DE LA XVIII REUNION NACIONAL AL-ANON HIJOS ADULTOS TE INVITA A PARTICIPAR EN UNA :
EL DIA 11 DE FEBRERO DEL 2012, EN 2121 IMOLA AVE. NAPA CA , 94559. HORARIO DE 9 AM-6PM. GRACIAS POR SU APOYO Y PARTICIPACION, ATENTAMENTE --EL COMITE DEL AREA DEL NORTE DE CALIFORNIA. Para mas informacion por favor hablar la integrupal del Noroeste de la Bahia los lunes y viernes de 12 del mediodia a las 3:00pm o www.reunionnacionalalanonhijosadultosdealcoholicosusa.com. Cordinadora: Lupita V. 707-266-1676 Publicidad: Araceli V. 925-206-7069 Autobus Para Las Vegas: Jenny C 925-207-0520 Registros: Mary L. 925-377-3714 Donacion: $10 incluye comida  Bienvenido al sitio web de Al-anon Familia Grupos para el Distrito 14 del norte de California del Servicio Mundial de la zona. Este sitio es creado y operado por el Distrito 14 miembros de Al-anon. Distrito 14 de límites se puede definir mejor el lugar de las reuniones que figuran en nuestra Reuniones Lista, y por lo general abarca las comunidades del condado de oriental y central Contra Costa. El sitio web está organizado en torno a los Tres Legados de Al-Anon
Al-Anon se enfrenta al alcoholismo 2011 |
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Institutions Corner
 Institutions Coordinator Needed Our prior coordinator, Martha, has offered to smooth your transition into this exciting and rewarding area of service. Contact her at 925-285-7594 to learn more. |
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Alateen Corner
Alateen Sponsors needed:
Please see District 14 Announcement Section above about critical need for sponsors for our youngest children. Plus the need for parents to support the Al-Anon meetings that have simultaneous Alateen meetings. More schools in our area have invited us to establish Alateen meetings for their students. BUT...we need Alateen sponsors in order for this to happen. Let's not let our children down. To become an Alateen sponsor in District 14, contact Marilyn G at 925-759-1452
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Upcoming Events
District 14 6th Annual Day in Al-Anon
When: February 11, 2012 Time: 8 am to 4 pm Where: Hope Center Covenant Church 2275 Morello Ave., Pleasant Hill
Childcare: Available with advance registration For additional Information: Johnnie H. at 505-259-8811 Suggested Donation: $10 for 18 and over, $5 for teens 12 to 17, and under 11 free. Coordinator Meetings: Next meetings are January 15, 2012 and February 5, 2012. All at Dan's house. Needed: Items for silent auction. See District 14 News section above for details. See exciting announcement in District 14 News section about Wedding Photography silent auction donation. For More Information: Contact DIA Chair Dan at 925-284-5168. District 14 Speaker Meeting - January 28, 2012 ~ 6:30 p.m.  Guest Speakers: Paul D. (AA) from San Ramon; George K. (Al-Anon) from Fremond; Alateen TBA Topic: Speaker What: Refreshments, Birthday Chips, Donation Drawing, Literature, Tape Library, Meeting recorded. Hosted By: Sunday 7:15 Danville Meeting Where: Walnut Creek Kaiser 1515 Newell Ave. Medical Office Bldg., Oak Room, 3rd Floor For Complete Listing of Events and Flyers: NCWSA Events
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Reflections from the Forum
Past Reflections
Before Al-Anon, we had a lot of beef stew at our house. I did the beefing and my spouse did the stewing. Sept. 1978, Eledia S., Columbia, Missouri
Al-Anon's monthly magazine, The Forum, contains many personal stories of inspiration. Click on this link to subscribe to receive your own monthly "Meeting in Your Pocket." Only $11.00 a year.
Current Forum articles:
I came to Al-Anon to help my wife, I came back to help me
I heard the First Step, and not much else, at my first meeting. My wife's treatment program counselor had told me to go to Al-Anon. "If it will help her, I'll do it," I said.
It was all women at that meeting. As I saw it, they all had alcoholic husbands and I had an alcoholic wife-a completely different situation. One man came in a few minutes late. Afterwards, as I was fleeing, he tackled me in the parking lot. He suggested the Wednesday night men's meeting...
Husband's relapse posed spiritual challenge
Even in the midst of storms in our lives, I have come to realize that my Higher Power gives me refuge and provides serenity. All I need to do is ask for help, be aware, and listen for a reply.
Recently, my husband relapsed while we were visiting our daughter out-of-state. We missed our flight home because this disease was in full tornado mode. After changing our flight and eating the fee, we were waiting at the gate to board our plane...
Overcoming grief, despair, and anger-a father's tale
I did not come to Al-Anon willingly. I was, after all, too worldly, too well educated, and far too experienced to require help from anybody. My grief and despair for a son caught up in the disease of alcoholism and drug abuse persisted despite all my efforts to cure him or to have him cured. Such were the actions I believed a responsible parent was supposed to perform in our society. I expected him to stop. His conduct was contrary to those I believed to be the hallmarks of our "class." Yet he persisted...
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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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