AL-ANON FAMILY GROUPS CAPE AREA ECHO - ISSUE NO. 01 OF 2021 (January)
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ISSUE NO. 01 OF 2021 (JANUARY)
AL-ANON FAMILY GROUPS
CAPE AREA ECHO
ISSUE NO. 01 OF 2021 (January)
IMPORTANT
Due to Covid-19, many of our Al-Anon groups are meeting electronically instead of face-to-face.
***LATEST NEWS: NEWCOMERS ZOOM MEETINGS***
NEW GROUPS - for newcomers, newer Al-Anon members or those struggling with active alcoholism
Cape Town: Wednesdays 5pm Gauteng: Sundays 5pm KwaZulu Natal: Thursdays 7pm
WhatsApp message: 081 036 7587 WhatsApp message: 082 316 3673 /0824552977/082 626 0262 WhatsApp message: 083 411 6683
For information regarding online meetings please contact one of the numbers below or refer to the 'List of Meetings' at
http://www.alanon.org.za/meetings/
CAPE AREA OFFICE: WhatsApp message 082 212 1878/ 072 258 0986/ Tel: +27 21 595 4517 / Email: alanonct@iafrica.com
The opinions expressed here are strictly those of the person who gave them. Take what you liked and leave the rest.
My suffering is in a large part do the next right thing, maintain my
connected to how I respond. I can dignity and respect for others.
make a bigger deal out of islands than I have to connect daily to a higher
necessary. Then greater suffering and intelligence. To connect I sometimes
misery is inevitable. repeat comforting prayers or poems,
I needed to let go of the stubborn sing or listen to hymns, kneel down
Welcome to Flight Number 2021. grip I had on the details of my and bow my head. Do my spiritual
We are prepared to take off into the suffering. readings. Walk in nature. Meditate.
New Year. Please make sure your I can let solutions unfold if I am Take myself to a church or a meeting
Attitude and Blessings are secured willing to let go of my outrage. and breathe in the peace.
and locked in an upright position. Being depressed and feeling sorry When I walk along the shore and
All self-destructive devices should for myself for years on end is not such acknowledge the enormity of the
be turned off at this time. All a good option when I’m confronted oceans and the heavens, I am right-
negativity, hurt and discouragement with a long-term problem. sized.
should be put away. Giving up on all the good in my life Upon noticing the tiniest of insects
Should we lose Attitude under because some aspects of my life on the page of my book, whose legs
pressure, during the flight, reach up aren’t working so well, is a personal are about an eighth of one of my
and pull down a Prayer. Prayers will daily choice. eyelashes, but fully functional, as are
automatically be activated by Faith. I don’t have to rely solely on my its minute wings, I am reminded again
Once your Faith is activated you can own resources. of the wonder of life and just how
assist other passengers. I was a very important cog in the much life there is and I how small a
There will be NO BAGGAGE workings of MY universe according to part of it all I am.
allowed on this flight. The Captain me, but I was a very small cog in Daily contact with my Higher
(GOD) has cleared us for take-off. GOD’s universe. Power means I carry the sense of
Destination – SERENITY!! Happy New It is good to have a clear spirit in my centre the whole day,
Year. understanding of the “importance” keeps me stable as I step into the
By Anonymous, USA of one’s own suffering in the great toxic stream that the world currently
scheme of forever. In a hundred years is.
no one will even know I was here.
Things I was sure were going to kill
me, like the addictions of so many key
PART 2 people in my life, didn’t in fact do so. I
could still thrive in spite of them.
It’s important to stay hopeful and
With reference to last month’s
remain willing to participate in life
Echo, I was struggling with getting my
even when it doesn’t deliver what I
serenity back, and this is what my
stipulated.
Higher Power reminded me of. When I don’t connect, I am exiled
Sometimes, turning my head away
There are many more forms of from my own serenity.
from my troubles is all I can do about
peace and fulfilment than the ones I An adjusted attitude, trusting the
them. Or turning my head to the good
have in my crosshairs. great process of life and trusting my
instead.
Everything doesn’t have to unfold Higher Power, let’s me rest in quiet
I admit that I still don’t understand
the way I need it to, in order for me to certainty, even during challenging
how anything really works and that’s
be content. It’s okay to be okay while times.
okay. I don’t have to know. All I have
others are not. Serenity determines the quality of
to do is be present in this moment and
my life. When I am serene, I am
Help and hope for families and friends of alcoholics.
ISSUE NO. 01 of 2021 (January)
CAPE AREA ECHO
balanced, in tune with the right
things, humble and grateful and
focusing honestly on the things I can
but I was too
◹
◸
◷
◶
husband to blame for our challenges,
. I committed to
working on myself and allowing my
Source: The Forum, March 2018, Al-
Anon WSO Facebook Page
Reprinted with permission of The Forum, Al-Anon
Family Group Headquarters, Inc., Virginia Beach, VA.
change, while the world around me Higher Power to work in me. A long
remains tumultuous. story short is that I moved out and
By Shannon E, Courage to Change separated with peace for all of us as
the goal. Then my husband told me he
“Sponsorship is a mutual and
was quitting alcohol completely and confidential sharing between two
attending AA meetings while we were Al-Anon or Alateen members. A
separated. I said, “I am happy you are Sponsor is someone with whom a
making good decisions for your life.” member can discuss personal problems
Now we have reconciled and we or questions; someone who willingly
shares the experience, strength, and
both continue to attend meetings. We
hope of the Al-Anon/Alateen program”
CONTROL WHAT I CAN – ME!
and guidance
also pray together daily for God's help
.
In a few days, from brink of
Sponsorship, What It’s All About P-31.
“In Al-Anon’s Step One we learned divorce, we are experiencing a new
that we didn’t cause the disease of life. Not because we are anything
alcoholism, we couldn’t control it or special, but because we admitted our
cure it. Step Two offers us an option: lives are unmanageable without God
sanity… Sanity can be defined in at the centre of it. Sending you all
many ways. Many share that they no oodles of hope, faith, and love on your
longer purchase alcohol for the unique journey .
alcoholic. Others speak of removing By Lucia, Al-Anon Newcomer, Courage
themselves from tumultuous to Change REACHING OUT TO HELP CHILDREN
situations. Some share of defusing OF ALCOHOLICS
arguments by merely stating, “You It was a cold, dark, February night
might be right.” Taking a bubble bath when I came to my first Al-Anon
or going for a walk can offer new meeting. I was young in years (only a
perspectives on the situation. couple years too late for Alateen), but
Gradually and gratefully we… begin I felt ancient, worn-out, and totally
to recognize that the old behaviour, if lost in spirit. The effects of my mom’s
it returns, doesn’t have to return for alcoholism had ravaged me, but all I
the same duration.” From Paths to could focus on was my desperate
Recovery B-24, p. 20-21 attempt to save her. The members at
Source: Al-Anon WSO Facebook Page A NEWCOMER FINDS HOPE
that meeting welcomed me and
When I first came to Al-Anon…
assured me I was in the right place.
much of what I heard was about
Their stories were different than
progress, overcoming hardships and
mine, but they shared the same
developing a positive outlook on life,
feelings. I went home that night
despite its setbacks and problems. In
When difficult or unexpected feeling hope, and as if a thousand
situations or problems arise, what do
short, the group generated a
pounds had been lifted off my
you do to keep your mind from wonderful message of hope.
shoulders. I was no longer all alone.
spinning out of control? Please share Members turned their lives around,
My road toward recovery has not
your experience, strength, and hope. even if the alcoholic made no
been easy or short, but as members
Send to alanonct@iafrica.com or progress. But often, I saw that the
helped me let go of the many coping
WhatsApp to 082 342 2102. positive outlook of members had a
mechanisms I developed as a child, I
KEEPING THE FOCUS ON ME transformative effect on the
began to feel better every day. I can
Thank you Al-Anon and support alcoholic, who then made progress,
never give back as much as I feel I owe
members. I came to Al-Anon on the too. Now, I am amazed by how much
to Al-Anon, but today I do whatever I
verge of divorce a few weeks ago at better I feel about my life. It is a
can. As my Al-Anon anniversary comes
the start of December. As a last wonderful testament to the power of
around each February, I celebrate it by
resort, I remembered there was what hope and of having a positive outlook
honouring the kindness of those
I call a sister group to AA. I found the on life.
members who encouraged me by
details online and signed into my first Al-Anon is a Twelve Step program
offering that same kindness to other
Al-Anon meeting. for the families and friends of
children of alcoholics still in pain. I let
Through the stories and alcoholics. Find out more about the
them know they are no longer all
principles, new light was shed on my program at https://bit.ly/3jDPexb.
alone.
situation. Not only was my alcoholic
Be the reason someone feels welcome, seen, heard, valued, loved, and supported.
Page | 2
ISSUE NO. 01 of 2021 (January)
CAPE AREA ECHO
How appropriate it is that this year May we all have more Faith and
in the US, Children of Alcoholics Week less Fear for this coming year. Be
will be held February 14-20, to bring blessed, take care, and stay healthy.
national awareness to the effects of
alcoholism on children. Throughout
the month, the World Service Office
(WSO) will be publishing content to
draw attention to the support that
Al-Anon and Alateen meetings
provide across the globe to adult By Pearl N, Public Outreach
children of alcoholics and teenagers Coordinator
living in alcoholic homes. It’s the SELF-CARE ISN’T SELFISH
perfect time for local service arms and Living with alcoholism taught me
groups to plan special speaker As we start this new month, in a the true meaning of ‘Live and Let
meetings focusing on children of new year, we have natural mindsets Live.’ The alcoholic wanted everyone
alcoholics, to reach out to local of “new beginnings” and “fresh to take care of him. He decided
community support agencies about starts” – possibly how the Al-Anon drinking was more important than
how Al-Anon can help, or to provide program has worked for us, how we taking care of his family – so I thought
Al-Anon speakers for educational started, and how it still helps in our it was my job to do it, and I did. I even
meetings held at institutions, personal growth towards spiritual got a full-time job and stopped going
facilities, or schools. Individual well-being. to school.
members can also participate by With that said, we are A very special person told me that
sharing WSO content on social media. continuously reminded how even I was hurting myself and the alcoholic
Let’s do all we can to let anyone who more powerful the program can be by because I wasn’t taking care of my
has been affected by parental sharing our own experience, strength own responsibilities. Instead, I was
alcoholism know that Al-Anon and and hope with others who have enabling the alcoholic to continue his
Alateen can make a difference. known despair and helplessness living behaviour. At that time, all I could
By Tom C., Associate Director – or having lived with an alcoholic. hear was, “If he goes down, my family
Literature; The Forum, January 2021 From the pamphlet Freedom from is going down with him.” After being
Reprinted with permission of The Forum, Al-Anon Despair P-06 – “No alcoholic has ever taken out of this situation, I found
Family Group Headquarters, Inc., Virginia Beach, VA. been helped by preaching, nagging or Alateen and began to realize that
violent scenes. Humiliation and anger alcoholics will do whatever they have
only increase the alcoholic’s guilt and to do to support their habit. It is not
drinking. The emotional energy we my responsibility to stop them or to
expended might have been better cover for them.
directed to constructive thought and I need to take care of myself first,
action. and then worry about everyone else.
Today’s Reminder – 14 January in I’m no help to anyone if I can’t help
Courage to Change – “Today I will myself.
take the path to personal freedom Source: Living Today in Alateen B-26,
and serenity that begins when I p. 217, Alateen WSO Facebook Page
LETTING GO OF ALCOHOLISM’S surrender. “Our spiritual growth is Reprinted with permission of The Forum, Al-Anon
LEGACY Family Group Headquarters, Inc., Virginia Beach, VA.
unlimited and our reward endless if
In Al-Anon, I felt safe. I found we try to bring this program into
others who grew up with alcoholic every phase of our daily lives.” The
fathers. The men I met became strong Twelve Steps & Traditions B-08.
male role models for my recovery. The Public Outreach is the privilege
man I asked to be my Sponsor also and the service responsibility of every
had an alcoholic father. He helped me recovering Al-Anon member as part of
to detach from the family disease and the Twelve Step Program. Take time
develop a realistic male identity. The during your meetings to discuss Public
fellowship helped me unravel my Outreach. It is the key to attracting Alateen is for teens who have
confusion about being a ‘man.’ Men new members and informing the been affected by the family disease of
are not superheroes. public about the benefits of the alcoholism. Most Alateen groups are
Source: The Forum, November 2020, various Al-Anon groups. Reach out if for teens from age 13-18. Information
Al-Anon WSO Facebook Page you are aware of anyone in need of about Alateen is available at
Reprinted with permission of The Forum, Al-Anon help. goo.gl/dcbDu4.
Family Group Headquarters, Inc., Virginia Beach, VA.
One thing that teens soon find
after coming to Alateen is that they
Be the reason someone feels welcome, seen, heard, valued, loved, and supported.
Page | 3
ISSUE NO. 01 of 2021 (January)
CAPE AREA ECHO
are not the only ones dealing with an P-31 Sponsorship, What it’s all about.
alcoholic loved one. They realize they P-33 Why Anonymity in Al-Anon?
are not alone after all. In Alateen, they P-35 Why Conference Approved
can meet with other kids their age and Literature (CAL).
find healthy ways to deal with their P-78 When I got busy, I got better.
family problems. P-88 Service Sponsorship: Working
What is your favourite Al-Anon
Find out more about how Alateen smarter, not harder.
slogan? Why and/or how do you use it
S-57 The Joy of Service.
helps teens affected by someone in your life? Send your shares to
S-28 Links of Service.
else’s drinking. Alateen meetings are alanonct@iafrica.com or WhatsApp
S-40 Attracting and Cooperating.
held on Sundays at 3pm. Contact the to 082 342 2102.
Cape Area office for more details.
MEETINGS FOR ALATEENS AND
YOUNG ADULTS
JANUARY – HELPFUL HINTS Alateen meetings are held on
“Kindness is difficult to give away Sundays at 3pm, followed by a
because it keeps coming back.” meeting for young adults at 4pm.
GRATITUDE AND TRADITION
*Public Outreach is the privilege and the Kindly contact the Cape Area office
for more details. SEVEN Every group ought to be fully
service responsibility of every
self-supporting, declining outside
recovering Al-Anon member as part of
our Twelve Step Program. Step 12 states contributions.
that “Having had a spiritual awakening “With sufficient membership
as a result of these Steps, we tried to contributions, Al-Anon will always be
carry this message to other, and to there for families and friends of
practice these principles in all our alcoholics.” Paths to Recovery (B-24)
affairs.” p.193.
*The target this month is to motivate CAPE AREA FACE-TO-FACE MEETINGS
Please continue paying your
YOU and YOUR GROUP MEMBERS to do & E-MEETINGS
Public Outreach!
group contributions electronically
With the country returning to level 3
*Take time during your meeting to lockdown in late December 2020, face
by direct deposit, EFT or SnapScan.
discuss Public Outreach. It is the key to to face meetings have been placed on Banking details:
attracting new members and informing hold until further notice. Zoom Bank: ABSA
the public about the benefits of Al-Anon meetings continue, and details can be Account Name: Al-Anon Family
Family Groups and Alateen. found at https://www.alanon.org.za/ Group Cape Area
*Occasionally choose a piece of Public
meetings/ Account No: 407 321 5579
Outreach literature and use it as a
CONFERENCE APPROVED LITERATURE Branch No: 632005
meeting topic.
*During current times, make sure that WHAT IS CAL? Type: Cheque
*CAL is written by and for Al-Anon
electronic meeting details are kept up to Ref: GC, Group Name, Member’s
members.
date. *CAL has passed a rigorous review process. Name
*Make a note of your Public Outreach *CAL is identified by SnapScan
activities and report them monthly to this logo
your Area Public Outreach Coordinator.
*Make available the Al-Anon Family
Group “tear-off” meeting venue details. Literature may be ordered
*Make available the Al-Anon website, telephonically or by email from the
email addresses and phone numbers: office. Payment options are direct
Helpline no.: 0861 425 2666 deposit, EFT, Snapscan or cash. A
Area email: alanonct@gmail.com pricelist is available from the office.
Website: www.alanon.org.za CAL pamphlet combos are available.
Members’ website: Contact the office for more
www.alanon.org.za/members/ information.
SUGGESTED CAL FOR JANUARY
“If everyone is moving forward
together, then success takes care of
itself.” Henry Ford *Area Assembly Saturday 16th January
M-10 Just for Today Wallet 2021.
Card/Bookmark. *AAA Rally No Al-Anon participation
M-78 Sponsorship – Working together due to Covid restrictions.
to recover.
Be the reason someone feels welcome, seen, heard, valued, loved, and supported.
Page | 4
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