Endigar 794
From Courage to Change of March 2;
One of the most helpful tools I’ve found in Al-Anon is Conference Approved Literature (CAL). It took me a long time to be willing to open up to other people, but from my first meeting, this wonderful literature has helped me learn to replace a long-established, negative way of thinking with a new, healthier, more positive approach to life and to love.
At first I used it only when I was in pain. Now I start every day off on a positive note by reading some piece of CAL with breakfast.
It has been especially helpful to me to “Think” about what I read and condense it into a sentence or two. I write this sentence on a 3 x 5 card and carry it with me throughout the day. Whenever I remember, I take out my card and read it. You wouldn’t believe how many times it has brought a difficult situation into perspective, or offered me a different approach to a project or conversation I’m about to begin.
Today’s Reminder
I have a wealth of information available to me which can help me grow ever freer from the effects of alcoholism on my thinking. Today I will make CAL a part of my routine by listening to a tape or by reading a pamphlet or chapter of a book.
“Daily reading of Al-Anon books and pamphlets opens our minds to the certainty of a better, more rewarding way of life.” ~ This is Al-Anon
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Extracted from the following website 7 February 2018 (www.aa.org/pages/en_US/aa-literature), defining CAL for AA:
General Service Conference-approved literature reflects the group conscience of the Fellowship of A.A. and includes the book Alcoholics Anonymous (affectionately known by members as the Big Book); Daily Reflections, a compilation of spiritual reflections contributed by members; books written by one of A.A.’s co-founders (such as Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions and As Bill Sees It); and a wide variety of pamphlets and booklets that deal with the Three Legacies of Alcoholics Anonymous: Recovery, Unity and Service.
Extracted from the following website 7 February 2018 (www.alanonla.org/literature.html), helping define CAL for Al-Anon:
Since its founding in 1951, Al-Anon Family Groups has published more than 100 books and pamphlets that share a single purpose: to help family and friends recover from the effects of someone else’s drinking. This literature supplements the face-to-face meetings where Al-Anon members share their insights and experiences with each other. It is only one tool of the Al-Anon/Alateen program.
Extracted from the following website 7 February 2018 (https://al-anon.org/for-members/members-resources/literature/feature-publications/) to direct reader to the Al-Anon site for the purchase of CAL.
I had a Sponsor in AA who said that he got much out of reading Courage to Change from the Al-Anon meetings he would attend. A subsequent Sponsor suggested I read Daily Reflections to help catch my mind each day and offer it another thought path to live out. I thought that the only way I was going to keep such a practice going was to read and blog my reflections. That gave this site a better direction. I did that for the Daily Reflections and now I am on a slow but steady journey through Courage to Change. It is taking some time, but I am following the suggestions of my Sponsors.
Daily Reprieve 
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