|
Heard at a meeting
If I let go of my expectations, my HP has something much better for me.
* * * Life happens every day.
* * *
I used to think serenity might be mine to grasp if I worked the program. Now I know that it is a gift: it is granted when I work the other two parts of the prayer.
* * * My sponsor told me to keep coming back until my life doesn't keep getting any better!
My life is none of my business. I just show up every morning and report for duty.
* * * My HP loves me where I'm at, but my HP loves me too much to leave me there.
* * * I get a lot of messages from my HP, but most of them are in my own handwriting.
* * * The reason you're in pain is that you've got your fingers in a door your HP is trying to close.
Life is not about how fast you run, or how high you climb, but how well you bounce.
* * *
God, grant me the serenity to accept the people I cannot change, courage to change the person I can, and wisdom to know that's ME!
* * *
Why aren't people in recovery good dancers? Because they lose interest after twelve steps.
|
|
|
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.
|
|
|
Recovery In Our Own Words
A Life of Joy and Fulfillment
By John H. Antioch, CA
The Al Anon 12 steps are a program for living a life of joy and fulfillment. The Al Anon slogans are bite sized nuggets that help me live the steps in bite size pieces.
"Live and Let Live" reminds me to stay in myself, to be concerned only with my life, my thinking, and to leave another's life and thinking to them.
When I find myself upset and obsessed with the action or inaction, the "crazy" or "ridiculous" ideas of someone else, it is a warning to me. It is a warning that my focus is somewhere other than it should be, which is on my life and my program. This is an indication that there is something in my life that I am ignoring or avoiding.
When I recognize that I am not practicing "Live and Let Live", I know that I must take an inventory to understand what I am ignoring or avoiding and address the issue directly. Only in this way do I continue to progress, and live a life of joy and fulfillment.
Please send submissions to: Linda W district14newsletter@yahoo.com
|
|
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 August 1, 2012 District 14 Meeting -
 NCWSA Three Day Assembly in October. Rooms at the NCWSA block rate are sold out as of August 2, 2012. It is unlikely we can get more rooms at the lower rate. Share, pay the higher rate of $248 and $259 a night or book another hotel FAST as MOST hotels are already sold out due to other large conventions happening that weekend. Contact Carla G, our District Rep for info on other hotels with special rates.
 Writing Workshop. We have a leader experienced in helping Al-Anon members write for the Forum and other Al-Anon publications (including our own newsletter!). This workshop is in the planning stages, so stay tuned and keep pen and paper at hand!
- Monthly Speaker Meetings. We are still looking for groups to host the NOVEMBER and DECEMBER 2012 Monthly Speaker Meeting at Kaiser on the 4th Saturday. In addition, host groups are being sought for all of 2013. Please contact Sandy H. at 925-642-9909 to volunteer your group. Remember, smaller groups can join forces to host a meeting together, and there are very detailed guidelines with timelines included to guide you through the process if this is new to your group.
- Change of venue for September Speaker Meeting. Due to the availability of well-known speakers, the September Speaker Meeting WILL be moved to Church of Christ in Martinez starting at a 7 pm instead of the usual 6:30 pm FOR THIS MONTH ONLY. An Al-Anon member will be at the usual Kaiser location at 6:30 pm to redirect members that have missed this announcement. Please contact Sandy H. at 925-642-9909 for further information.
- New Reimbursement Form for District Expenses now available on the website or here.
- Literature Depot Reminder for LIterature Orders: Literature orders placed over the weekend will require one extra day for processing. New meeting lists will be available through the Literature Depot prior to the October District Meeting. Please contact Wynne or Kathy R.
- NCWSA has new P.O. Box for donations. The new address is: NCWSA Treasurer, P.O. Box 728, Vacaville, CA 95696-0728. Donation form A-25 is available on the NCWSA website.
 Hotline 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.
 Day In Al-Anon 2013 Planning Meeting September 9, 2012 - New DIA date is February 2, 2013 at Hope Center from 8 am to 6 pm
- Call for Coordinators/Trusted Servants to create next year's DIA. Meeting August 12, 2012 at 1:00 p.m. at Shaw Environmental & Infrastructure, Inc., 4005 Port Chicago Hwy (2nd Floor), Concord CA 94520. Coordinators needed: Speaker Liasisons, Alateen Coordinator, Spanish Liaison, Publicity, Registration, Decorations, Breakfast/Lunch, Childcare, Silent Auction, Donation Drawing, Facility Coordinator. Contact DIA Coordinator John H. 505-259-1232 or Co-Chairs Rick P. 925-577-9902 or Marcie 925-639-9119
|
|
Service Corner
Check District 14 News section. The Alateen Coordinator position is still open. Please consider this vital service to the district.
|
Bienvenidos a Al-Anon y Alateen
Como localizar una reunion
Acerca de la literatura de Al-Anon...
Desde su fundación en 1951, Grupos de Familia Al-Anon ha publicado más de 100 libros y folletos que comparten un único propósito: ayudar a los familiares y amigos a recuperarse de los efectos de la bebida de otra persona. Esta literatura complementa las reuniones presenciales de Al-Anon donde los miembros comparten sus puntos de vista y experiencias mutuamente. La misma es tan sólo uno de los instrumentos del programa de Al-Anon.
La literatura de Al-Anon se entiende mejor cuando se utiliza junto con otros instrumentos del programa. Los libros y folletos pueden fortalecer su recuperación, pero no pueden sustituir la ayuda y el alivio que se percibe en las reuniones de Al-Anon en el contexto de un programa de recuperación completo.
Muchas Zonas tienen sus propios Centros de Distribución de Publicaciones de Al-Anon. La literatura también está disponible para su compra en la tienda de Al-Anon en linea.
 Para hijos adultos
Muchos miembros de Al-Anon han llegado a comprender la forma en que la situación de su vida actual fue afectada por la experiencia de crecer en un hogar en donde uno de los padres tenía un problema con la bebida. No es extraño ver efectos del alcoholismo entre las generaciones, en donde los abuelos, padres y niños son afectados por la bebida de uno o de varios miembros de la familia.
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
, y por lo general abarca las comunidades del condado de oriental y central Contra Costa.
El sitio web esta¡ organizado en torno a los Tres Legados de Al-Anon
Al-Anon se enfrenta al alcoholismo 2013 |
|
Institutions Corner
ATTENTION GRs: Please replace the cover on the PINK Al-
Anon Institutions Donation Can for your group. The new cover has the correct information for donations. Obtain the new cover at the next District Meeting or call Mary A. at 925-914-9101.
|
|
Alateen Corner
To become a sponsor: Contact Alt. Alateen Coordinator Marilyn G. at 925-759-1452. Applications are also available to become an Alateen Sponsor through Kristine B., District 14 Alateen Safety Coordinator at 925-407-6053.  Come to NoCAC's 2nd bash!
NoCAC's Last Chance Soc Hop
When: Saturday, October 27, 2012
Where: Grace Lutheran Church
1836 B Street, Hayward CA
Suggested Donation: Alateen $7, Al-Anon $10
Registration Fee: $20 Flyer
 THE ALATEEN EXPRESS - Newsletter for Alateens in Northern CAThe ALATEEN EXPRESS is the official newsletter for Alateen groups of the Northern California World Service Area of AFG, Inc, and is distributed periodically to Alateen groups. It contains information about Alateen that may be helpful to Al-Anon and Alateen groups. All members of Alateen and their sponsors are urged to contribute information about group news, fund-raisers and other special events. Selected articles are presented on this web site and sorted by topic. Articles from members present their personal views and experiences. Opinions expressed are not to be attributed to Al-Anon or Alateen as a whole.
 6th Annual NCSWA Sponsors Weekend - 2012 Alateen Sponsor R&R
When: September 14-16, 2012 Where: Westminster Woods, Occidental CA Guest Speakers: Nancy B, Colorado, Yvonne D., Pleasant Hill, John M. San Francisco What: A weekend of experience, strength, and hope through workshops, sharing, learning, activities, camp fire, talent show and more! For Information or to volunteer to help: Bonnie M. (Chair) 209-996-5282 alateencoordinatior@ncwsa.org or Lisa B. 831-440-1317 Flyer |
|
Upcoming Events
District 14 Speaker Meeting - September 22, 2012 ~ 7 pm (ONE TIME CHANGE)  Guest Speakers: Kristina W. (AA) from San Rafael, Constance C. (Al-Anon) from San Rafael Topic: ALATEEN What: Refreshments, Birthday Chips, Donation Drawing, Literature, Tape Library, Meeting recorded. Hosted By: Sunday 7 pm Martinez and Thursday 6:45 pm Pleasant Hill meetings ONE TIME CHANGE IN LOCATION: Church of Christ 1865 Arnold Drive (at Hiller Lane) Martinez, CA From 680 or 80 to Hwy 4, Exit Morello Directions and Flyer
 NCWSA Fall Assembly - Bountiful Harvest of Recovery When: October 12-14, 2012 Where: Monterey CA (Embassy Suites, Seaside CA) Please Note: Discounted ooms at the Embassy Suites are no longer available. Contact Carla G, our District Rep, for info on other hotels with special rates. For More Information: Terry (Chair) at 831-269-9985 or David at 831-275-0684 Flyer
 District 16 FALL FEST
When: Saturday, October 20, 2012 Time: 3:30pm - 9:30pm What: Workshops, Potluck, Speakers, Donation Drawing, and more. Al-Anon Speaker - Turk, Santa Cruz;
AA Speaker - Michelle M., Pleasanton;
Location:
Trinity Lutheran Church 1225 Hopyard Road Pleasanton, CA 94566
For more information , or service opportunities, contact:
Wendy - (925) 785-5547 - wendydia2012@gmail.com
James - (925) 480-7811 - james@lothar.net
Rhonda - (925) 784-8030 For Complete Listing of Events and Flyers: NCWSA Events
|
|
Reflections from the Forum
Past Reflections
If you don't know what direction to take, you haven't acknowledged where you are. Anonymous, Oklahoma
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 learned to feel again...
By the time I came into Al-Anon, I was numb from the daily negative and verbally abusive comments from the alcoholic. I had quickly learned to stop blubbering as a response to my hurt feelings. Eventually, I learned not to feel at all. I learned not to trust myself.
Before I married, I had years of conditioning as a child in an alcoholic family. The defense mechanisms that became harmful to me as an adult looked and felt differently, but at the core, they were the same ones I had used as a child. Growing up, I had been the good child. I didn't rant and rave like my alcoholic brothers. I didn't act out and get wasted like they did and I most certainly wasn't a "rage-aholic" like my father.
I am back at Step One, a mother's path to serenity...
My mother's drinking led me to Al-Anon 22 years ago. I came and went through my eleven-year marriage to an alcoholic. I am back, once again, because of my 19-year-old son. Never in my wildest dreams had I expected the path of my life to take this course. Yet here I am, caught in the embrace of this beautiful program that works as hard for me as I am willing to work it.
My father is in the living room, sitting on top of the piano. Well, technically, his ashes are.
I'm always looking for the gifts in any situation, particularly in situations that frighten, disappoint, or hurt me. I always find them, even though sometimes it takes a little while. In this case, the gifts were immediate and abundant. My father and I had always had a very difficult relationship. That I can refer to him as "my father" today and that he, or any part of him, is welcome in my home are truly gifts, as well as signs of a great healing in my life.
|
|
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.
|
|
Archives of Past Newsletters
|
|
|
Sincerely,
Co-Editors: Karen, District 14 Newsletter Coordinator
Linda W, Alternate District 14 Newsletter Coordinator
Contact the Editors: district14newsletter@yahoo.com |
|
|
