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GIVING MYSELF PERMISSION
When first I came to Al-Anon I was one of those people who was
very, very quiet. So quiet that about the only thing that I ever
said was my name when we went around the room. Oh, and I also
said, "Pass," when it was my turn to share.
It may sound silly, but I even volunteered to make the coffee
at my first meeting just so the group would let me attend their
meeting. I was afraid to share and afraid to let other Al-Anon
members know that I didn't have an alcoholic in my life anymore.
My mother had been sober for several years and I was divorced
from my husband who had a drinking problem. I was afraid that if
the Al-Anon members found out that I didn't have an alcoholic in
my life to fix they would ask me to leave.
Today I know differently, but my fears were real when I first
arrived in Al-Anon. I had other fears keeping me silent. To
anyone who also suffers from being silent in meetings, I would
say, "You are not alone. Just keep coming back and keep trying."
My situation got better when I gave myself permission to
start small. I started with my name. Then I added just one
sentence, and then another. To my amazement, many people started
talking to me after the meetings. I felt much better when I
started opening up and I felt so much a part of the group.
- Delores P., Oregon
Reprinted from
The Forum magazine,
June 2003 Issue |
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These materials are adapted and reprinted with permission of Al-Anon Family
Group Headquarters, Inc., Virginia Beach, VA
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