Dear Loners,

In the Loop (WSO), acknowledges April as Alcohol Awareness Month. Our KZN Al-Anon family should also use this month, as an opportunity to reach out to someone in the community who may be desperately searching for a sign that they are not alone and that there is help for those living with the effects of the disease of alcoholism.

I heard a member once share that “we paid dearly for our seat in Al-Anon.” I was really moved by her statement and I asked myself “How do I treasure my seat, how do I say thank you for my seat?” To me gratitude is not an emotion, gratitude is action. So I say thank you by sharing the gifts I have received in Al-Anon. Since attending my first meeting, 5 years ago and coming out of denial, I'm both amazed and appalled at the magnitude of alcoholism in our society. So many people around me are dealing with the same issues.

The objective for me and you today is to be there for others, while keeping the primary focus on ourselves. Carrying forward the hope for recovery is not an obligation, but an act of love and continued recovery for ourselves as well as for others, “to keep it you have to give it away.”

Warm regardsAngel**************************************************************

MY FAVORITE SLOGANS

I received the most precious gift of all – HOPE – when I entered the doors of Al-Anon on the 4th May 2015. And there began my lifelong journey of working through all my weaknesses using the tools of Al-Anon - The 12-Steps, The Slogans, The Serenity Prayer. Serenity, courage, wisdom and acceptance all wrapped up in this one powerful prayer helps me to stay anchored from dawn to dusk.

I often asked myself this when I joined Al-Anon: Why did I need this? Was it to still try and ensure my ex-partner seeks sobriety, or perhaps try and coax my youngest son to become drug-free? No, it was for me.Working the Steps and the Slogans daily has become an integral part of my recovery and so has humbling myself in seeking my Higher Power’s help at every step. Taking inventory of both, my weaknesses (to work on them) & strengths (so that I do not become swollen-headed). Forgiveness & making amends - how lightening & unburdening is that?

My favorite slogans are:

ONE DAY AT A TIME - Savoring each moment of my recovery ensures I enjoy it. Not rushing, allows me to absorb what I need to, that is essential to my recovery. Patience is a virtue

LET GO, LET GOD - Leaving everything to my Higher Power lightens my load, allowing me to enjoy a stress-free day, & focus on what’s important – ME

KZN Upcoming Events13 April 2019: ASC MEETING & CONVENTION MEETING – Manning Rd Methodist Church

5 May 2019: AL-ANON RALLY – Tamil Federation Hall, Silverglen

29 June 2019: FOOD FAIR – Frere Rd Church , Umbilo 10 August 2019 – WOMENS DAY – Arena Park Regional Hall------------------------------------------------------Al-Anon … There is No Standing Still

Let It Begin With Me.When anyone, anywhere,

reaches out for help – let the hand of 

Al-Anon and Alateen always be there, and Let It Begin With Me

It would be wonderful to have an interactive Loners letter and I look forward to receiving your share (it can be anonymous). Kindly email any suggestions, stories, queries and feedback to angelbechoo@gmail.com

April 2019

SHARING is CARINGThank you beautiful family for sharing your experience, strength and hope. The received shares will be featured in forthcoming issues.

LET IT BEGIN WITH ME - I can only be happy with others if I am happy with myself. I can only love others if I love myself. I need to change myself in order to receive something better. I must be at peace with myself first before I can expect that of others. “Let It Begin With Me” is a way to change the things we can – especially our own attitudes – instead of waiting for everyone else to change to suit us. “Let It Begin With Me” creates within me a sense of responsibility … a sense of independence. Virtues & Values such as honesty & sincerity has to come from me first. I need to inculcate these first before I can expect it from others. I need to be a walking example of all of these. By working on myself I become someone to be admired & emulated. Showing gratitude and giving thanks is such an important ingredient of daily living and doing this just multiplies your spiritual assets. Completing my B.Com Degree amidst the turmoil in my life sure serves as inspiration to others.

FIRST THINGS FIRST - A slogan that’s become my favorite. As a result of my fears, I acquired growing up, I discovered that I’d also had an anxiety complex, which I’m working on, using this slogan. When I’m doing the laundry, I’d be thinking that the floors still need to be swept & mopped, and whilst I’m doing that, then thoughts of the cooking still needed to done, bothers my mind. First Things First is helping me overcome this, slowly, but surely. {Submitted by Nalini – New Hope AFG}

*****************************************************************************************************************************************************YOU MAY BE POWERLESS, BUT YOU ARE NOT HELPLESS

This year marks a decade that I’ve been away from my hometown. It’s surprising to think that so many years have passed by and so many things have happened in such a short space of time. If there is one thing that I’ve learnt is that people, see life differently. Some look at life and see goodness and beauty whilst others look at life and see loneliness and despair.

Yes, I may have not had a childhood, and I may have not had the easiest past. But I say thank you, thank you because I am grateful for this life, thank you because I am a phenomenal individual and thank you because I now have the courage to change the things I can. I became a mature individual at a really young age, not because I chose to do this, it was because of the circumstances and difficulties I was placed in. It is these little things that make me a stronger individual. Alateen helped me understand a lot of things about myself and my parents, things that I didn’t know before.I personally feel that scars are like battle wounds and they are beautiful in their own little way. They show you what you’ve been through and how strong you are coming out of it. This is why it is my duty to try and help each and every young individual out there so that don’t suffer the pain and heartache that I’ve been through as a little girl.

Know that you may be powerless over a situation, but you are not helpless. Know that there is always going to be someone there for you in a time of need. And know that you can’t compare your situation to the next person’s situation, somebody out there may be going through the exact same thing, you may not realize now but it is true. So, we as individuals must give our support and understanding where it’s needed.

And this is my message to you, please remember that you are not alone. You may feel lost and alone at this very moment but bear in mind that you are in the company of many caring hearts. I want you to know that some out there cares. {Submitted by Abigail P - Sunday 5.30 Young Al Anon} *************************************************************************************************************************************************Kindly inform me should you have an email address, and future copies of the Loners letters will be emailed to you.

Please visit our national website www.alanon.org.za. It is updated regularly with various Newsletters, Loners letters and other information.The opinions expressed in this letter were strictly those of the person who gave them. Take what you like and leave the rest.

TRADITION 7 : Every Group ought to be fully self-supporting declining outside contributions

Al-Anon has no dues or fees but we have expenses. Contributions are voluntary. Give what you can, if you can’t give just keep coming back. We need you more than we need your money. Al-Anon is spiritually rich - our members are our abundant resource.

Should you wish to send a gratitude donation, our bank details is as follows:

Bank name: ABSAAccount name : Al-Anon Family Groups Kwa-Zulu Natal (KZN)Account number : 4074787557Branch name : MusgraveBranch code : 632005Reference: Your name / Loners