The theme of the state convention was Seeking a Balanced Life. I heard some excellent speakers.
The AA speaker Dick A. had a good message that was filled with humor. He spoke about doing God's will in the best way I can given the gifts I was given.
I thought about that quite a bit and decided that one of the gifts I can share will be to become certified as an Alateen sponsor. I could see that the behavior of the Alateens reflected the alcoholic household they grew up in. There are more Alateen meetings needed in our area. We have no children but perhaps there will be a way to extend a hand to those young people who, like me,were affected by someone else's drinking. It is a strong feeling that I have that God is directing me to help these troubled kids.
The convention was held at the beach. So I'll share a few other photos from this inspiring weekend.
That looks so beautiful! I bet you would make a great Al-Ateen sponsor.
ReplyDeleteOh, beach! Oh, Syd!
ReplyDeleteYou will make a great alateen sponsor!
I think you would make an awesome Alateen sponsor. We never have enough and the last I checked, alcoholism is still a family disease. I can't wait to hear how this unfolds for you.
ReplyDeleteNamaste
The pictures are great and you are to be commended for wanting to work with Alateens. We've tried to get it started in our area but, I guess because we are a retirement community basically, there was little interest. Good luck with it.
ReplyDeleteYou would think I would be so okay by now, but when you spoke about young people in alcoholic families I got a huge lump in my throat and had to hold in a sob. My young life till I was 12 was with an alcoholic father who came and went and a mother who hid in her room or was in a rage. Please please do become certified to work with young people.
ReplyDeleteSounds like another great weekend! Lovely pics!
ReplyDeleteAn Alateen sponsor...You will be great!! It won't matter that you don't have kids. They don't either. ;o)But you have your journey as a child in common with them. I hope you do it.
ReplyDeleteMy Al-Anon home group has a concurrent Al-Ateen meeting operating. It took quite a while for it to get off the ground, but more and more kids are showing up. I think there are only two meetings in our town. Thank goodness the Sunday one is now available.
ReplyDeleteI know you would be a wonderful Al-Ateen sponsor and I also know it would be as much a blessing to you as to the kids.
Prayers,
PG
Alateen sponsors and meeting leaders are so needed in our area also. You will be great at it!
ReplyDeleteThere are a lot of teens that can benefit from your work in AlAnon. I think it's great you want to reach out to them.
ReplyDeleteBeing an Alateen sponsor sounds like a magnificent idea. You are perfectly suited for that kind of work. Eperienced, articulate, patient, insightful...
ReplyDeleteGo get 'em.
You seem to me a person of great empathy, strength and hope plus you have your experience as a kid. I think you'd be a great Al-Ateen Sponsor.
ReplyDeleteI'm so impressed you're going in to Alateen! We need so many more meetings then there are! I started an AlAnon meeting in a location concurrent with an AA and Young Peoples AA meeting. Alateen would complete that picture! But, seeking balance, I know that that's enough on my plate! Someone else will have to think of it. Maybe a Nebraska Syd!
ReplyDeleteThere is a desperate need for Alateen sponsors. Thank you for your service.
ReplyDeleteBlessings and aloha...
When God speaks, listening hearts learn. Alateen seems a wonderful fit for you. Loved your Q and A.
ReplyDeleteI would like to be in those pictures please..LoVeLy!!!!
ReplyDeletexo
Without any doubt, Alateen is the most pressing place of need in Al-Anon. I read through the family roles in an alcoholic family as posted by Lou and it brought up all my own years as the Family Hero and Lost Child living with an alcoholic battered mother.
ReplyDeleteI think Alateen would have given me great support during my youth. A friends mother told her about Alanon as a child but she wasn't ready.
ReplyDeleteEverything is unfolding the way it is supposed to.
On the beach...now that's my kind of convention! I think God has been preparing you to be an Alateen sponsor for a very long time. I'm so happy the time is right! The gifts will be endless!
ReplyDeleteLove the photos, Syd.
ReplyDeleteYour photos speak that thousand words.. and are a beacon for serenity. Glad you share the beach with us~
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