|
Heard at a meeting
First I came, then I came to, and then I came to believe.
* * * A doorknob won't work as your Higher Power. It doesn't give feedback!
* * *
I'm grateful for the restart button in Al-Anon.
Our is a disease of immaturity. We have a spiritual malady.
* * * I want to be a careGIVER, not a careTAKER.
* * * I traded a lot of pain, fear, and despair for my seat in Al-Anon.
* * * If I am to grow into the person my HP wants me to be, I need to keep the focus on myself
Worrying is like sitting in a rocking chair; it gives you something to do but you don't get anywhere.
* * *
I was living in the pollution, not the solution.
* * *
Switching from one compulsion to another is like switching seats on the Titanic.
|
|
|
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
Gratitude in 2013
Gratitude comes in all shapes and sizes for me. From the simplest, the air I breathe, to the mundane, a good parking spot, to the beautiful, finding an old note from my mom. I have also found that gratitude needs to be a daily part of my life. I always keep my eyes open for it. I know it's there, something to be grateful for, even when I can't see it.
This morning I was getting out of my car at Peet's when I almost bumped into a program friend, literally! I was grateful for this chance meeting because it reminds me that new friends and opportunities are right around the corner. It was a happy surprise and set my day off nicely.
Later today I needed to tell someone "no" and I had that fear creep in that if I said "no" to their request they would get mad. I took a deep breath and I said "no." It was fine, no big deal. What I'm grateful for from this experience is the reminder of how important it is for me to get myself to meetings because I know I'm not the only one who shies away from saying "no." Listening at meetings gives me the courage I need, and because others had shared that they said "no" and lived to tell about it, I could too.
There's a lot of talk around this time of year about resolutions. I did not make any per se, but I read on a blog how someone I admire is "excited" about 2013. That resonates with me and I am going to follow suite and focus on that feeling as my mantra for the year. Why let the history of the last few years inform 2013? I'm choosing a new perspective and have felt the power and gratitude of my choice already.
There's another kind of gratitude for me and that's a profound gratitude. HP is in this category. I am grateful for my connection and awareness of this spirit in me, in all of us. Alanon is also in this category. I am truly grateful to Alanon. If it weren't for Alanon I wouldn't have the tools or the capacity to realize it's an inside job. I'll keep coming back because it's working for me and I hope it's working for you.
Appreciation to Jules for this share.
Please send your submission 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 February 6, 2013 District 14 Meeting -
 We have two important District level service positions open: Institutions and Archives. Please contact Carla G. at 925-586-8021 if you are interested or know someone who might be interested. Full descriptions of all service positions are on our District 14 Website. -
- District 14 will host next year's NCWSA 3-Day Assembly on October 25-27, 2013. Sue has graciously offered to be chair for the event but we will need many dedicated volunteers to make this happen. Call Sue S. at 925-997-3340 to volunteer your service.
-
 Annual District Budget was adopted. Our treasurer announced that we have well over $10,000 in unallocated reserves. This money can be used for bolstering up our Al-Anon program in District 14. Groups and members are encouraged to think up new ideas about how we might use this money to spread the word. We can also support Al-Anon in its Institutions and/or Public Outreach domains. Please submit your ideas through your group GR.
- Monthly Speaker Meetings. For openings for host groups. 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. Seven slots are still OPEN for 2013, February, March, November, and December.
- New Reimbursement Form for District Expenses now available on the website or here.
-
 Literature Depot Reminder: - The new Legacies work book is due out by July 2013. This book is being created by blogs from the WSO website.
-
The new Intimacy book has 525 submissions. As many as 1200 are needed to create the right balance of shares. Groups and districts are encouraged to hold writing workshops to get our members writing!
-
 A trial for the first planned electronic book, 'Having Had a Spiritual Awakening', will happen sometime in 2013. To get into practice for electronic reading, be sure to read the "The Forum's' 3 monthly articles already being published online (and always included as the last article in this newsletter!). -
Any groups having trouble coming up with a basket theme? How about an Al-Anon literature basket! These are lovely silent auction and basket prizes! Throw in a journal and a nice pen and you are really giving the gift of recovery to a member or friend of our fellowship:)
-
Contact Wynne for Literature Depot Questions. - Group Donations to the District. 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. Print copies are also sent out for two of the three publication dates each year. 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.
 Men's Day In Al-Anon Planning is well underway. This is an exciting new direction for the men of our District 14 and surrounding areas. If you want to be in on the planning pleaseContact Men's DIA Coordinator John G. at 925-478-7848.
|
|
Service Corner
The simplest form of service is sharing at meetings. An Al-Anon member, Rob, contributes his take on this "sharing" process:
Sharing is the core activity in AL anon meetings. As such language is the means by which we express the ideas and feelings we share with one another. Using language to express complex and nuanced thoughts is a challenge in the best of situations let alone under the strain of dealing with a loved one's addiction.
A natural consequence is that members adopt and share a set of terms that have either directly evolved from Alcoholics Anonymous (e .g. codependence) or have been adopted from other disciplines such as psychology (attachment and detachment).
The reaction of many people who are new to Al anon and recovery is that there are actually names that describe the things that they have experienced and that their struggle has not been theirs alone. Sharing a common vocabulary and expressing ideas within that context is often a key component of the process of recognizing and eventually altering uncomfortable or unproductive behaviors. Language properly utilized can be a door that opens onto the path a better more self-aware way of life.
For me every meeting has the same subject. Why do we do the things we do? And if we understood why, would we continue to do those things or change? In the end, there is no rulebook to guide us nor diagnostic scale with which to grade ourselves. We are left to decide by whatever means we can find who we are and how we want to live.
But I think it would be a mistake to conclude that this is a solitary process. It is by sharing with each other, by describing as honestly as possible how the world looks and feels that we can begin to understand our shared human experience. I have learn this by my experience; when I live in isolation everything gets worse; when I communicate with other it always seems better.
|
Bienvenidos a Al-Anon y Alateen
Como localizar una reunion
Pre Reunion Nacional Al-Anon Hijos Adultos
El área Norte de California les invita a una Cena/Baile en la cuidad de Hayward para apoyar la Reunión Nacional con sede El Paso, Texas.
Día: Sábado, 2 de Marzo 2013
Recibimiento: 1:00 - 1:30PM
Apertura: 1:30- 2:00PM
Mesas De Compartimientos
Primera Mesa: 2:00-3:30PM
30 Minutos de Receso
Segunda Mesa: 4:00-5:30PM
Cena Se Servirá A Las 6:00PM
A continuación el baile
Domicilio: 26010 Eden Landing Rd. Hayward.Ca 94545
Donación: $20.00 dolares.
Tu apoyo es importante para continuar sembrando la semilla de la esperanza a través de nuestras Reuniones Nacionales
Para Mas Información: 510.377.3714, Maria
510.384.8391, Norberto
 Congreso Internacional de Al-Anon del 5 al 7 de julio de 2013
¡Imaginese en Vancouver!
Los Congresos Internacionales de Al-Anon son una grandiosa manera de celebrar la recuperación, encontrarse con viejos amigos y hacer nuevas amistades. Un Congreso Internacional es donde los miembros del Canadá, de los EE.UU. y de muchos otros países se reúnen para hablar el mismo idioma -el idioma del corazón-.
- ¿Se puede imaginar lo que es escuchar a más de 4.500 asistentes
-de Al-Anon, de Alateen y de A.A. e invitados- rezar la Oración de la Serenidad? - ¿Alguna vez ha visto el desfile de los países en que existen Grupos de Familia 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 |
|
Institutions Corner
 Freedom from the prison of my mind...
Eight men from Yard 'D' Level II at CSP Solano have been on a waiting list to get into Al-Anon for more than two years
Tuesday night, Thursday night, and
Sunday morning Al-Anon meetings at
CSP Solano (in Vacaville)
WAITING for Volunteers (Men) like You.
Please contact Teresa T. at 707-428-6731
hicks.s5@comcast.net
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.
ALATEEN EVENT
May 17, 18, and 19, 2013
WHERE: Westminster Woods, 6510 Bohemian Hwy, Occidental, CA COST: $149 postmarked by April 26th ($159 after April 26th, registration end May 10th) FOR MORE INFORMATION: Contact Marilyn G. at 925-759-1452
FUNDRAISER FOR THIS EVENT: Alamaden Lake Park, 15652 Almaden Expressway, San Jose, 95120. Peppertree Picnic BBQ Area, Saturday, April 13th, 2013. 1:00 pm to 5:00 pm. $10 Adults/$5 Teens. Bring BBQ meat and dish to share. Games and speakers!
 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. |
|
Upcoming Events
 District 14 Speaker Meeting - Saturday, February 23, 2013 ~6:30 pm -
Topic: TBA What: Refreshments, Birthday Chips, Donation Drawing, Literature, Tape Library, Meeting recorded. Hosted By: TBA PLEASE HELP OUT: Bring Food and Donations for Drawing Where: Walnut Creek Kaiser, 1515 Newell Ave., Medical Office Bldg., Oak Room, 3rd Floor. Exit 680 S. Main St. or Olympic Blvd.
 NCWSA Al-Anon/Alateen Convention with Spanish and AA Participation, March 22, 23, & 24, 2013
Where: Crowne Plaza Sacramento, Northeast Hotel 5321 Date Avenue, Sacramento CA 95841 Cost: Pre-registration $25/At Conference $35, Doors open 3 pm Friday Hotel Reservations: 916-338-5800, Mention "NCWSA Al-Anon 2013 Annual Convention" for discount $99.00/night (call before February 21. 2013) For More Information or volunteer to help: convention@ncwsa.orgFlyer
 Al-Anon's International Convention July 5-7, 2013
Picture yourself in Vancouver!
Al-Anon International Conventions are a great way to celebrate recovery, meet old friends, and make new ones. An International Convention is where members from Canada, the U.S., and many other countries gather together to speak the same language-the language of the heart.
- Can you imagine what it sounds like to hear more than 4,500 attendees-
Al-Anon, Alateen, A.A., and guests-say the Serenity Prayer?
- Have you ever seen the parade of countries that have Al-Anon Family Groups?
For Complete Listing of Area Events and Flyers: NCWSA Events
OUR NEIGHBORING DISTRICTS:
Al-Anon Family Group District 16 (to the south, Dublin-Pleaston-Livermore) is having its open Speaker Meetings on the 2nd Saturday of every month.  EVENT: 30th Anniversary Day in Al-Anon 2013
Speakers: Stephanie B, Granite Shoals TX (Al-Anon) and Dominica O., Sacramento (AA) Location: Trinity Lutheran Church, 1223 Hopyard Rd., Pleasanton, CA 94566 For Information: Call Jason B. at 925-200-1656 or Rick M. at 925-963-2219 FLYER District 6 (to the north, Solano and beyond) has its Birthday-Speaker Meeting on Last Friday each month 7:00 p.m. - 8:15 p.m. at Kaiser Hospital (3rd floor Rooms C & D), Vaca-Valley Parkway Vacaville Ca. 95678 (Leisure Town road exit off of Highway 80 Vacaville) District 26 (to the west, Berkeley-Richmond) has its Monthly Speaker Meeting on the first Saturday of every month, 6:30-8 p.m., at Kaiser Permanente Richmond Medical Center Building C, 3rd floor, Conference Room F
|
|
Reflections from the Forum
Past Reflections
In an argument, the best weapon to hold is your tongue, May 1973
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:
Feeding a mother's hungry heart...
I came to Al-Anon starving and humbly begging. I was starving emotionally and begging for "food." I found food in the program-nourishment for my starving soul. I kept coming back and working the program, because I gained emotional nourishment.
What is more humbling than begging for food? Seeing my child starving and begging for food. Seeing my child suffer and not being able to feed his starving heart brought me to my knees.
Making and keeping a commitment to myself...
My first commitment to the program was a case of God doing for me what I couldn't do for myself. In turn, it has led me to all the commitments I have made over the years. When I first came to Al-Anon, I was not really teachable.
Attending meetings offers a wonderful opportunity for me to listen to and learn from the experiences of others, and to decide if these experiences can be helpful to me. At a speaker meeting recently, I have become reacquainted with the slogan "Listen and Learn."
A sharing that resonated with me included the phrase "hurt people hurt people."
|
|
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 |
|
|
