12/5/11

Business Meeting Coming Up

Hello Everyone,

We have been having some wonderful meetings lately.  People have been reaching out, speakers have been volunteering, newcomers have been showing up, and old friends have been returning.  That's what's so awesome about ACA meetings...they are always there when you need them.

In order to make sure our Friday meeting keeps going, we have quarterly business meetings.  Our next meeting is scheduled for December 16 after the regular meeting.  That's...two weeks away.  The agenda is posted on the agenda page of this blog.  If you have something to add, please send an email to ourstoriesheal@gmail.com.  The agenda will be finalized on Friday, December 9 and sent out to everyone on the email list.

Thanks for being a part of your solution, and mine.  Keep Coming Back.

11/23/11

Grateful to Have a Program

When I was in High School, my sociology teacher challenged us to fast on Thanksgiving, rather than gorge ourselves.  My  mother would not allow it, but ever since then, I've taken an alternative view of Thanksgiving.

I've tried to make it about intangible things like...gratitude, (what a concept,) and peace.  As an adult child, my best Thanksgivings were spent alone, away from my family of origin.

This year, I have you all.  Real people struggling with and celebrating the big and small things in life.  Thank you for sharing your lives with me.  And whether you are having a Norman Rockwell Thanksgiving or, in a country that doesn't recognize Thanksgiving at all (like my husband is,)  I wish you a peaceful day.

See you Friday!
blog monkey

11/7/11

The Social Network Experiment

Hi Everyone,
I've been under the weather...in more ways than one these past few weeks.  I got my flu shot which put me into some flu symptoms for a short time.  AND I seem to have Seasonal Affective Disorder Symptoms.  When added to a psychological plate that is already full of ACA symptoms, I sometimes feel quite imbalanced indeed.

I've done all the things that are supposed to help...sunlight, exercise, good diet, and now, reaching out.  Its wonderful seeing all of you at meetings...but I'd love to connect with more of you in between.  Are you on Facebook?  Google +?  I don't Twitter yet, but I'm willing if some of you find it an amazing way to connect.

I just think it would be helpful to have a place online (where I spend my days at work) to hear how ya'll are doing and share my struggles and joys.

I already see some of you on Facebook where we've started and ACA "group".  If you want to join it, email me at ourstoriesheal@gmail.com.  I'll send you the link.  In the meantime, I hope you all are well and look forward to seeing you Friday!

sad blog monkey

10/20/11

Friday, October 21

We are the change we've been waiting for.

No, blog monkey isn't making a political statement. She knows tradition 10 forbids it: Adult Children of Alcoholics has no opinion on outside issues; hence the ACA name ought never be drawn into public controversy.

What she is saying is that our current President had a darned appropriate campaign slogan. After all, isn't what he said just another way of saying:

"The solution is to become your own loving parent"?

Blog Monkey has been struggling lately with extra anxiety and confusion. Knowing she is powerless over the effects of being raised in a dysfunctional environment, she is reaching out for a Higher Power and asking for clarity. Part of the answer she received is to slow down and take extra extra good care of herself. She can never hear that enough!

Instead of punishing herself for not feeling well (and therefore not getting everything done) she is remembering her suffering and making allowances for it. Instead of leading to self-pity, complaining and blaming, she is realizing that admitting her pain and talking gently to herself actually leads to more peace and happiness. Wow! ACA works.

If you are having an especially hard time this week, with the shorter days, with the approach of "The Holiday Season," know you are not alone. Go to your meetings. Call people on the phone list. They will be glad to hear from you! (If you need a phone list for the Friday Our Stories Heal Meeting, please email blog monkey at ourstoriesheal@gmail.com).

If you are doubting whether recovery is possible it and whether you, personally, can do it, remember those other words that helped our President get elected: YES WE CAN!

P.S. What's the story behind this Barak Obama Sock Monkey doll? Apparently its the idea that never was:

The Sock Obama doll was reportedly created by David and Elizabeth Lawson of West Jordan, Utah, as a way for citizens to show their support for various candidates. But the Lawsons said they were shocked by the anger and tone of the negative emails they received about their product.

TheSockObama Company initiallyblamed critics, who they said had "chosen to misinterpret our plush toy. It is not, nor has it ever been, our objective to hurt, dismay or anger anyone," the company said.

Acknowledging their own naiveté, the company said "we don't think in terms of myths, fables, fairy tales and folklore."

But civil rights leaders and others were offended by the product. Jeanetta Williams, president of a local Utah chapter of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, called the toy ''pure racism at its extreme.''

Under pressure, the Utah company pulled the toy from production and issued an apology on its web site. "We are very apologetic to all who were upset by our toy idea," the company said in its apology. "We will not be proceeding with the manufacturing of this toy."

The Utah company had contracted with Binkley Toys, a custom-toy manufacturer, to mass produce the doll, but the toy company itself was apparently caught off guard by the furor and did not realize the doll might cause offense. Company owner Rob Bishop said "my company is not just about 'dollars' and Binkley Toys Inc. prides itself on its social responsibility."

http://thedailyvoice.com/voice/2008/06/utah-company-canels-000759.php


10/12/11

A New Leader

Hi Everyone,

We've had great, fresh meetings these past few weeks with "J" in the lead. This week will we be re-invigorated cuz the leader's gonna change again. Help me welcome "K" to the helm by showing up Friday and sharing your feelings! How easy is that?

With much feeling,

your blog monkey