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Heard at a meeting
If you're going to pray, don't worry. If you're going to worry, don't pray.
* * * If you don't take a chance, you won't have one.
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When in doubt, don't!
Sometimes the best was to change people is to love them the way they are.
* * * Life is like a souffle. Do the footwork and let it go. If you peek, it will fall.
* * * Slogans are railings we hang on to as we climb the Steps.
* * * Don't place a question mark where God has placed a period.
If you like everyone in Al-Anon, you're not going to enough meetings!
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PAIN: the effort required to cling to old ideas and behaviors.
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A person singing her own praises is usually singing solo--and out of tune.
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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
Learning to Love Myself and Life Again
I have learned so many things from Al-Anon and its members. I'm rediscovering who I am and what my values are. I'm starting to notice and enjoy the little moments life has to offer. Using the tools of the program I am recovering 'One Day at a Time'. I go to meetings, work with my sponsor, study Al-Anon literature , journal, pray, and do service. This keeps me involved in the program.
I am currently focusing on self: care, acceptance, and love. To continue making progress I have to accept and love who I am right now and make taking care of myself my top priority.
Life is not a destination, it is a journey. We never stop changing and growing. Only we can decide what direction that change and growth will take. I recently asked family and friends this question, "Does anyone ever wonder how the hell their life ended up so far from what they thought it would be when they were young, full of dreams, and with their whole future in front of them?"
The response that grabbed my attention the most was from my younger sister, "So the key here is to take what you have and learn to love it. Or get the hell out and make a new life. I learn everyday that I am a pretty tough person. You are never stuck wherever you are. Yes, certain aspects of your life are irreversible, and I wouldn't reverse most of them. Keep on keepin' on and do the best you can!"
This spoke to my heart and I realized just how important it is for me to continue working this program and living my life one minute, one hour, one day at a time. Maria O., Concord, CA
Please send submissions to: Linda W district14newsletter@yahoo.com
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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 October 3, 2012 District 14 Meeting - 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 except for July. 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.
- 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.
- Group Donations to the District. As a sign of the spiritual fitness of District 14, we have already received the anticipated budgeted amount of group donations for the year with 3 months to go! Additional monies can be submitted, or course, and the District will, as always, use these funds to the benefit of all. Please send group donations to: District 14 AFG, P.O. Box 416, Concord, CA 94522-0416. DO NOT FORGET to label your donation with you Group Name, Meeting Day and Time, and AFG number.
- 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.
- Twelve-Stepper, Area Newsletter for GRs. Now available online. Will ONLY be available online starting in December. Available at: www.ncwsa.org/newsletters
 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 - Next Planning Meeting November 11, 2012
Only 3 planning meetings remain after this one--December 9, January 13, and January 27) Day in Al-Anon will be February 2, 2013 at Hope Center from 8 am to 6 pm Call for persons to fill remaining open coordinator positions: Alateen Coordinator, Spanish Liaison, Breakfast/Lunch Coordinator (one or two persons), Literature Coordinator. New Planning Meeting Location: 5269 Mohican Way, Antioch, CA 94531 Contact DIA Coordinator John H. 505-259-1232 or Co-Chairs Rick P. 925-577-9902 or Marcie 925-639-9119 |
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Service Corner
Check District 14 News section. The Alateen Coordinator position is still open. Please consider this vital service to the district.
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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 adolescentes
Es muy difícil cuando uno de tus padres (o los dos) tiene(n) un problema con la bebida. Eso afecta la forma en que te tratan y también condiciona tu mundo. En las reuniones de Alateen es donde puedes encontrar comprensión y apoyo de personas de tu misma edad que atraviesan dificultades similares. Si no hay ninguna reunión de Alateen en tu comunidad, con mucho gusto te invitamos a que asistas a una reunión de Al-Anon.
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 |
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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.
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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
Fourteen of our Alateens are already signed up. Join them!
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. |
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Upcoming Events
 District 14 Speaker Meeting - Oct 27, 2012 ~6:30 pm - Celebrate our 10th Birthday of District Meetings!
Guest Speaker: Carl H. (Al-Anon) from Hollywood Topic: 10th Birthday Celebration What: Refreshments, Birthday Chips, Donation Drawing, Literature, Tape Library, Meeting recorded. Hosted By: District 14 Where: Walnut Creek Kaiser, 1515 Newell Ave., Medical Office Bldg., Oak Room, 3rd Floor. Exit 680 S. Main St. or Olympic Blvd. Directions and Flyer
 NCWSA Fall Assembly - Bountiful Harvest of Recovery When: October 12-14, 2012 Where: Monterey CA (Embassy Suites, Seaside CA) For More Information: Terry (Chair) at 831-269-9985 or David at 831-275-0684
Flyer
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
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Reflections from the Forum
Past Reflections
Prescription for when you're feeling down: Take 2 assets and call your sponsor in the morning. July 1980, Clarence C., La Ronge, Sask., Canada
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:
Opening my heart to my HP's love...
When I joined Al-Anon, my marriage was collapsing. I was in desperate search for a way to mend my relationship with my husband. My dysfunctional behavior, as an adult child of an alcoholic, had brought us both to our knees.
In Al-Anon, I heard, "Take care of yourself. Don't decide anything about your marriage right now, focus on yourself and your recovery." The first relationship I mended was with myself, as that relationship needed quite a bit of fixing.
Facing lifelong denial...
Trusting in God has often taken me to places I would not have taken myself. Let me tell you of one example. I was writing a story on the topic of enabling; only I didn't think I knew much about it. I went on-line and searched for content and definitions on enabling. I was surprised to learn not much information existed, but I did find Al-Anon under resources. As I read from the Web site information, I discovered an office was located about three miles away from my new home. I looked up the hours and found there was a weekly meeting at 6 PM. I decided I would stop by after work, see what I could learn from the discussion, and ask someone for some information on enabling.
"Mommy, I am sick." I can recall hearing my eighteen-year-old daughter's voice reaching out to me as she used to do when she was a little girl untouched by the disease of alcoholism. I can glimpse a time gone by. It is a bright, sunny day and I am running behind her as she darts off toward a playground slide. I can still clearly see her blond curls cascading down her back into rows of ringlets, as she swings her head back toward me, and smiles a genuine smile full of love, sanity, and security.
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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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