Some time ago in the weekly Al‑Anon meeting that I attend, the topic scheduled was the Second Step. The meeting was quiet—nobody wanted to participate. That day I had one of my favorite daily readers with me—Alateen—a day at a time (B-10: the little red book)—and decided to read from page 97 and share about one of the pages related to the topic:
When it’s raining or foggy, it seems as if the sun has gone away. But I know it’s only hidden by the clouds. I have faith that the sun is always there. Because of alcoholism in my home, sometimes it feels as if love has disappeared. I search hard to find it, but I can’t see it. It’s clouded over by my bad feelings. When that happens, I have to try hard to believe that love, just like the sun, is always there. It’s not easy to have that kind of faith, but the program gives me Step Two as a beginning.
Things to Think About
Alateen has helped me to have faith in things I can’t see. I found a Higher Power in Step Two. When I believe in that Power, I can believe in Love.
Once I finished my participation, I noticed how this page motivated other members to share their experience, strength, and hope. It turned out to be a great meeting. At the end, some members expressed their desire to include Alateen literature in future topics in meetings. The Program Chairperson took note, and weeks later we all learned more about the disease of alcoholism and how it affects families and friends of alcoholics in the chapter “Understanding Alcoholism” from Alateen—Hope for Children of Alcoholics (B-3). We also went over the Daily Checklist of Myself (S-6) in our Step Ten meeting and continued reading and enjoying pages from the two Alateen daily readers.
It’s great to know that Alateen literature is also Conference Approved Literature and that Al‑Anon members can benefit from it as well as from the rest of the Alateen materials. For a complete list of Alateen literature and materials, please click here.
By Sergio Z., Senior Group Services Specialist—Alateen