[Businessmtg] My thoughts on service in Al-Anon

[list_administrator]

Hello all,

I would like to share a bit about my experience of doing service for 
ASP, and how it has enhanced my spiritual growth and recovery journey. 
My purpose is two-fold really.  First, it seems fitting as I wind down 
my last month as the ASP List Administrator, after almost 4 years total 
of being on the Steering Committee of ASP (one year as Webmaster, and 
three years as LA).  Second, I hope to encourage anyone who may be on 
the fence about stepping forward to serve.

When I first came to Al-Anon in 2009, I felt very alone in my struggles. 
  I thought I was crazy, why couldn't I cope with life, my husband's 
drinking - how had things gotten so out of control?  After my first F2F 
meeting I no longer felt alone, and as that first year in program came 
and went, I started to believe the 'Together We Can Make It' slogan and 
held on to that idea. At some point along the way, my 'me' mindset was 
replaced with 'we' - and I had a good grasp of where the healing power 
of this program really came from. It came from 'we' ~ the group members, 
the Al-Anon members around the world, both in F2F meetings and online.

The opportunity to serve came up in ASP, and while I was hesitant mostly 
about any potential time commitment, I very much felt the desire to 
'give back' and contribute to the group that had become my primary 
source of recovery. I had heard somewhere that in order to 'keep it', we 
must also 'give it away'. I had found my sponsor through ASP.  I had 
developed 'offline' friendships with several people. I wanted to serve, 
even if it felt outside my comfort zone at first - I wanted to 'give it 
away'.

As I became a Trusted Servant of ASP, my growth was exponential.  It was 
an opportunity for me to learn more about the Traditions and Concepts of 
Al-Anon. Being a part of the Steering Committee is not about being 'in 
the know' of ASP, it is not about dominance, or being one of some 
'elite' panel running the show.  Serving in any capacity of Al-Anon is 
about the responsibility of protecting, supporting and sharing of 
spiritual principles entrusted to us by the founders.  I learned that my 
participation in this program meant that I must continue to take action 
in my daily life for my own personal recovery, and to also contribute to 
the strength and unity of my group - whether online or in F2F meetings. 
My day to day contact with many, many members of ASP has been nothing 
but gratifying and meaningful.  Even in the few difficult matters that 
come up from time to time - there is opportunity for growth in every 
challenge, and that 'we' thing comes up again... between the Steering 
Committee, my sponsor, and my own spiritual guidance - I felt I could do 
whatever needed to be done with competence and grace.  This concept 
carried over to my day to day life ~  there is nothing I can't handle, 
and I am never 'alone'.

In doing service for ASP, I’ve come to understand that the Steps, 
Traditions and Concepts, are what connect me to my recovery and 
spirituality, and help me continue to grow. In doing so, I have more to 
give away. Today when I have questions and challenges in my life, I can 
readily find answers, not just in the Steps, but also in the Traditions 
and Concepts. Today, as I continue on my journey in recovery, I realize 
that the Legacies of Al-Anon are truly about life. The Steps- I have 
learned to love myself. The Traditions- I have learned to respect and 
love others, compassion and respect, because we are all the 'same' no 
matter what 'rung of the ladder' we currently stand upon. The Concepts- 
they teach me to love the world with all its imperfections as well. If I 
don’t use all these Legacies, I am truly short-changing myself and 
limiting my recovery. Doing service for ASP has been the most defining 
aspect of my own recovery-because had I not had this opportunity, I 
would not know what I know!

As I finish my term as LA at the end of this month, I have been giving a 
lot of thought as to how I will fill the 'gap' of service that has been 
such a large aspect of my recovery journey.  Because there WILL be a 
gap. Perhaps it means becoming more involved in my local area F2F 
meetings and exploring service positions there - perhaps I explore 
Ala-teen, or become more involved in sponsorship in general.  I don't 
know where my Higher Power will lead me, but I know that there will be 
something! I still have alcoholics in my life, and this program is a 
permanent aspect of my life.

I encourage any of you to ask questions about the two positions on our 
Steering Committee ~  I am happy to answer to the best of my knowledge 
and experience, as are any of our members who do service in some 
capacity whether for ASP or in their local groups.

Thank you for letting me share some thoughts with all of you.

Hugs,
Cyndi