I bought Many Voices, One Journey because it was the new book out and I generally love Al-Anon literature. However, once it arrived, I realized that it was a year-by-year history of the organization, complete with notes from the conferences and administrative decisions.
My spirits fell. This looked dull. Oh so dull.
Nevertheless, I started to read and slowly became fascinated. I caught myself putting sticky notes on the pages I wanted to find again very soon.
The arrival of this book couldn’t be timed any better.
I may run a slight risk at breaking my anonymity by stating that my District is just about dead. It may be a slight risk because there might be many Districts with this problem – how to know? At any rate, it has been the source of some despair that there are so few meetings around here and that they are so poorly attended. I haven’t seen a business meeting at all and so far only two group conscience votes, both on the same topic. Rotation of meeting chair is likewise rare. I can count on one hand the announcements I’ve heard about events or functions in the area outside the group in the past year and a half, nearly all to do with Christmas.
And right now in my mind is the image of Lois at a table hand writing postal letters to some 30-odd scattered groups to get their opinions on matters and offer support. It’s just amazing.
I’m finding out the roots of all sorts of odd and controversial policies. I’m finding out that the issue of the role of adult child groups isn’t new at all, first emerging in the 80s. I’m finding out that the Obstacles to Success, which I’d never heard until moving to this area, is one of the oldest readings in practice. I’m finding out that our Headquarters was not always in Virginia, and how it came to be so.
The most important thing I’m finding out is how other people helped Al-Anon grow in places it didn’t occur before, or did occur but weakly. I’m finding out how people and groups honored the Traditions and Concepts in their relations, and how they didn’t, and what the results were. I’m learning stuff that can help me right now, what to do, what not to do, and most importantly, how to treasure the people of Al-Anon, rather than my own self-image.
It would be really easy for me to jump right in, take over, and get things done! That grinning little character defect in me would love to just own this District and run it as I believe it ought to be run. How Al-Anon is that?
Right here I have some fantastic examples to follow, and some illustrations of what could come up and how to handle it. In short – Experience, Strength, and Hope. All from some dry old history book!
I think I can help here. I think I can help a lot, if I can help other people get energized and if I can confine myself to some good, honest service work, not directing or controlling. I want this District to be every bit as vibrant as the one I used to live in, and this can happen. Together We Can Make It.