Alanon in the psych....
Today was our first Alanon meeting in the pysch facility. There were 3 residents and 2 staff members and 3 Alanon members. The meeting was very loosely based on the usual format....we started with some of the usual readings, but it quickly became apparent that it was too much information. Eyes glazing over, wiggling in their seats is a good indication of tmi.
We decided that we would open with the Serenity Prayer, read the newcomers welcome, the 12 steps, share our stories of what brought us to Alanon, read from a daily reader, pick a topic and have a time of discussion. Today we talked about slogans and everyone got to pick one from a list that was meaningful to them, we left lots of reading materials and schedules, and we were done.
Keep it simple. I have been taught that we stick to the format *at all costs,* no cross talk, do it this way and that way....and I have to admit, I had a minute of panic at the thought this wasn't "right." But the "right" way was really too much for this situation. I had to fight off the feeling that we were going to be in trouble! lol I calmed myself down by remembering that there were two other Alanon members there and we were working together. It wasn't my job solely to keep things on track. We will figure it out. We are merely introducing them to the Alanon program.
I am happy to be there. We need a third person and my sponsor just said she would join us. I am so happy. I love my sponsor and this is near and dear to her heart like it is to mine for similar reasons.
I am off to my new job tonight. I was there last night and I came home in the morning. It was wonderful! I am working through all of my crazy feelings of obligation and loyalty to my little old folks. I am trying to look at the bigger picture of what is best for myself and my family. As of right now, its still uncomfortable, but coming home this morning and not dashing off to another job in the morning, felt really really good. Maybe I will get used to feeling good and I will learn to not operate only from a place of guilt and what I *should* do....but from a place of what works for me and mine. I feel selfish even typing that.
I asked my girl if it would be helpful to have me home during the day more and her answer, "Whether it would be helpful or not, it would be really nice."
Ok All.....bless us all.
Annette
We decided that we would open with the Serenity Prayer, read the newcomers welcome, the 12 steps, share our stories of what brought us to Alanon, read from a daily reader, pick a topic and have a time of discussion. Today we talked about slogans and everyone got to pick one from a list that was meaningful to them, we left lots of reading materials and schedules, and we were done.
Keep it simple. I have been taught that we stick to the format *at all costs,* no cross talk, do it this way and that way....and I have to admit, I had a minute of panic at the thought this wasn't "right." But the "right" way was really too much for this situation. I had to fight off the feeling that we were going to be in trouble! lol I calmed myself down by remembering that there were two other Alanon members there and we were working together. It wasn't my job solely to keep things on track. We will figure it out. We are merely introducing them to the Alanon program.
I am happy to be there. We need a third person and my sponsor just said she would join us. I am so happy. I love my sponsor and this is near and dear to her heart like it is to mine for similar reasons.
I am off to my new job tonight. I was there last night and I came home in the morning. It was wonderful! I am working through all of my crazy feelings of obligation and loyalty to my little old folks. I am trying to look at the bigger picture of what is best for myself and my family. As of right now, its still uncomfortable, but coming home this morning and not dashing off to another job in the morning, felt really really good. Maybe I will get used to feeling good and I will learn to not operate only from a place of guilt and what I *should* do....but from a place of what works for me and mine. I feel selfish even typing that.
I asked my girl if it would be helpful to have me home during the day more and her answer, "Whether it would be helpful or not, it would be really nice."
Ok All.....bless us all.
Annette
Comments
away from meetings. I felt it was pretty cut and dried - this is how it's done, follow/believe in the steps or be gone - we can't help you. I so wanted to find one that I could belong to but, after 3 different tries I gave up. I know, I know.....I need to try again. I do also hear there is a meeting for everyone, you just need to find the right one.
I think it says somewhere each meeting is autonomous and that the stated openings etc are suggested.
We skipped everything but the steps. We had new people every month and they had a lot of questions and sometimes we felt like a target for their frustations.
It was a good experience but exhausting dealing with just new comers.
Just remember that you aren't responsible for what each person gets out of the meeting.
It helped us to have a silent meditation in the car together before going in, it really helped.
God bless you for doing this.