Newcomers WelcomeGifts of Al-Anon
There are the promises made in the AA Big Book: "...we will be amazed before we are half way through". If you have been somewhat active in the program of Al-Anon and worked the steps, you already know how some of these gifts come your way. But there are many more gifts that are only received when you get more active in Al-Anon service. I'd like to share my experience of of finally growing, up only after taking on one of the service positions in my home group. Sure I felt a bit roped into the position - but I had been part of the group for over three years, had chaired a number of times and done a fair bit of phone monitoring - so I was ready. What did I find in my new position? I found that I could do a job that I had no clue about, with people I did not know. I learned little by little that I could speak up and share my opinion and experiences, and that it mattered. I became more confident, more comfortable in my own skin in a larger group, speaking up - contributing. I learned to ask for help - and learned to accept it. Looking back over the three years that I held the position, I see a number of things that I helped make happen. Things that are better today because I was involved - and I have no need to talk about them - but mine is the gift of satisfaction, having been part of. The three years that I signed up for came to an end, and our rules encourage us not to hang on to a position (remember "rotation of leadership", you have heard that before...). So the position is open, but I signed up for another more demanding position, what do you think - will there be more gifts? I'm pretty sure... H.