One Day at a Time in Al-Anon:
A fairly usual idea in some Al-Anon groups is that we attend meetings only to hear other people’s tragic stories — blow-by-blow descriptions that we can perhaps identify with. This is one — but only one — of Al-Anon’s functions. But when the stories are a continual rehash of the alcoholic’s misdeeds, nobody learns anything except that we all go through pretty much the same experiences. Where is the growth in that?
If I want to determine how much help a meeting can give, I should ask myself: “How many of the people here tonight have learned something new about applying Al-Anon principles? How many have given me a constructive idea to take away with me and use?” That is the only measure of a truly valuable meeting.
Today’s Reminder:
What I say at an Al-Anon meeting should not be a recital of the details of someone else’s faults and actions. I have come to get knowledge of how to deal with my frustrations and difficulties, and to impart what I have learned in Al-Anon to the others. Personal problems can be discussed with my sponsor or another Al-Anon friend.
“A truly valuable Al-Anon meeting is one in which we concentrate on principles, and do not discuss personalities.”