Concept Eleven
The World Service Office is composed of selected committees, executives and staff members.
Please share your experience, strength, and hope as it relates to Concept 11. The opinions expressed here are strictly those of the person who gave them. Take what you liked and leave the rest. Member sharing on the Member Blog may be used in future Al‑Anon publications.
I looked through the Al-Anon Alateen Service Manual when our group was scheduled to meet around Concept Eleven. I saw a long list of committees which meet to keep Al-Anon on track. I thought about how many committees it might take to keep my life on track and who would be on them. I realized my employment committee was working overtime and there seemed to be multiple chairs. My emotional renewal committee which includes many of my friends had not met in months. The housekeeping committee seemed to have been dissolved. I need more balance and some of the energy… Read more »
I was not familiar with the Concepts until I got involved with service and more after being involved at different levels of it. I am grateful today to have opened my mind to them and applied them not only in service, but in my own recovery. Concept Eleven was helpful to me in reminding me that I was not responsible for everything around me and that others could have their shares of the lot. The advantage I found, after opening my mind to it, is that the variety of ideas, skills, etc. were enriching, not only for the fellowship and… Read more »
I participated in a Concepts Study Group last year. After working on Concept 11, I realized I could put it to work for family vacations. I discussed this with my Mom and my older son, who are two of the other people going on the trips. Going with our strengths, I suggested I be the “executive” in charge of booking the resort and the flights. My Mom could be the event coordinator and laundry committee, and my son could be the navigation committee. My older son commented, “What about J”? What does he do?” I said, “He could be a… Read more »
Concept Eleven made me realize that I don’t have to do everything by myself. For years, I thought that I had to do everything by myself or I chose to do things myself. I had a trust issue and this led me to have too much control over things that were over my potential and my abilities. I lost myself in things that were too much for me, this bringing frustration, anger and resentment toward others and toward myself and even toward life itself. Today I know that asking for help from others is a blessing and that this also… Read more »
The 11th Concept for me means that I can not do all the responsibilities alone and I need to serve without controlling others and do my duty and be flexible and respect others.
Concept 11 makes me realize that it takes a village and the village of Al-Anon is a strong one. Recently, I was part of a Colorado Area Committee to put together a Weekend in Al-Anon event. It happens every year here. We whisk off to a Colorado retreat where there are mountains, a beautiful lake with reflections of fall foliage changing colors, prepared meals and comfortable lodging, Al-Anon and AA speakers, fun workshops, hiking time to connect with Higher Power and loads of fellowship. In the year of State restrictions on size of gatherings due to the pandemic, the committee… Read more »
Concept Eleven had a lot to teach me and still does today. I know and have learned that when we have a project and that many qualified, talented and willing people are involved, the project can get to a more successful end. This was proven to me over and over again in the program and in my life. I had to drop the idea that I could handle a project on my own. Over the years I discovered so many talents and met so many qualified people that I can’t deny the importance of sharing according to what we are… Read more »