Ever since One Day at a Time in Al‑Anon (B-6) was first introduced 55 years ago, Al‑Anon members have considered our daily readers among their favorite pieces of Conference Approved Literature. Whether first thing in the morning, last thing at night, or somewhere in between, members have found it helpful to take a little time to absorb the thought-provoking meditations found in these books.

Our newest daily reader is A Little Time for Myself—A Collection of Al‑Anon Personal Experiences (B-34). Gathered from over 2,000 sharings from the fellowship, it is being introduced at the 2023 Al‑Anon International Convention in Albuquerque, New Mexico, June 29–July 2. It will be available at local Literature Distribution Centers and on the Al‑Anon Online Bookstore starting July 5 for $17 US.

As fundamental as our daily readers have been to my own recovery, one of their greatest assets for me personally was that I wasn’t limited to reading only the page of the day. Anytime I needed instant relief, I could flip through the index in the back and find the topic I needed. Through the years, I’ve found that comparing the index of each new reader to those that preceded it gave me evidence that just as I continue to grow, so does our program and the literature that describes it. However, I was quite surprised, in comparing A Little Time for Myself to our five other Al‑Anon and Alateen daily readers, that its index includes 95 topics not found in the others!

From “Acting as if,” “All-or-nothing thinking,” “Anticipation,” and “Avoidance” to “‘Us versus them’ mentality,” “Vulnerability,” “Welcoming others,” and “Worthiness,” an abundance of helpful ideas and perspectives appear in this book. And it’s also the first of our daily readers to include sharings about all 16 slogans, all Twelve Concepts of Service, and all five General Warranties of the Conference, as well as all Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions.

Here’s a brief excerpt from page 186 of A Little Time for Myself (B-34):

“Little by little, I added self-care to the top of the list. I took time to think about what I needed. Starting my day with prayer, meditation, and time to write created so much more ease and peace in my whole day.”

By Tom C., Associate Director—Literature

The Forum, July 2023

Feel free to reprint this article on your service arm website or newsletter, along with this credit line: Reprinted with permission of The Forum, Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc., Virginia Beach, VA.