Ontario South Literature Distribution Centre

By: Sue M., Literature Coordinator

There are many days when I feel like a teenager inside. I react strongly to people, places or things, and I feel like I am overwhelmed and consumed by my feelings. I seem to lose perspective and the issue staring me in the face is the only thing that I can focus on. When I lose my perspective, I often feel like a kid inside. The good news is that today I can often recognize when I am losing my perspective and I recognize that I am feeling immersed and lost in my feelings again.

Thank goodness for all of our Alateen literature! Alateen literature is Al-Anon literature because Alateen is a part of Al-Anon. As an Al-Anon member I can often benefit from reading Alateen literature.

My Al-Anon home group has a selection of Alateen literature that is readily available to all of us. We regularly use either of the Alateen daily readers, Alateen…..a day at a time (B-10) or Living Today in Alateen (B-26) when we are looking for a meeting topic, and we sometimes read from them to introduce the meeting topic.

Looking for a different way to complete your Fourth Step in Al-Anon? Why not check out Alateen’s 4 th Step Inventory (P-64)? I have used it in the past and found it to be very useful. I especially love that I am invited to write or draw my feelings and answers in the workbook. It has sections on: Attitudes, Self-Esteem, Love, Responsibility, Feelings and Relationships which are all very applicable to my life as an adult, who often feels like a teenager inside.

I love the Step 10 Daily Checklist for Myself (S-6) because it contains questions that apply to my life that help me to consider how well I am living my program on a daily basis. I need to adapt some questions to make them applicable but the questions easily lend themselves to adaptation.

Finally, don’t miss the four Alateen booklets: Alateen Talks Back on Acceptance (P-68), Alateen Talks Back on Detachment (P-73), Alateen Talks Back on Slogans (P-70), and Alateen Talks Back on Serenity (P-69)! These wonderful gems contain wisdom that applies to all of us in both Alateen and Al-Anon! Each booklet contains shares on each topic from an Ontario South Alateen member.

Remember, ALATEEN literature is AL-ANON literature! Does your Al-Anon group have Alateen literature readily available? Does your Al-Anon group use Alateen literature occasionally? Do you share Alateen literature with your sponsees and sponsor? Do you support local Alateen meetings by asking if they can use the donation of Alateen literature?

Check out Alateen literature….. it may just be the boost that your Al-Anon program is looking for! Happy 24 hours!