The Forum is an international monthly publication of Al-Anon Family Groups, that offers help and hope for the families and friends of alcoholics.  Al-Anon and Alateen members share their challenges, insights, and progress along their path of self-discovery and spiritual growth.  The magazine also includes topics for discussion at meetings as well as news and information from Al-Anon's World Service Conference and World Service Office. To order your subscription click External link opens in new tab or windowHere


The following articles are reprinted from the April 2025 issue, with permission of  The Forum,

Al-Anon Family Group Headquarters, Inc.,Virginia Beach, VA


Balance From My Center        by Cecelia P.

A hula hoop is a fitting metaphor for what is and what isn't within my control  My hula hoop is large, sturdy, and does not easily bend.  I carry it with me all day, every day.  It reminds me that I do have a personal space that is mine to manage.  However, on the outside of my hula hoop, clinging to it ferociously, are grief, pain, anxiety, sadness, and regret.  They are always hanging around at the edges of my hula hoop.
     I attend Al-Anon meetings because sharing there helps me find a balance so I can stand strong from my own center.  If I fall away from meetings, I lose my core strength, and the negative emotions can reach in to pinch me, trip me, or smack me upside my head.  It is not easy to keep balance inside the hula hoop, but my friends in the fellowship remind me at every meeting of some of the tools I can use to keep me upright and moving forward.

Serenity in Times of Stress        by Anonymous

I find the Al-Anon slogans very handy to use as reminders on my journey to recovery.  My two favourites are "Let Go and Let God" and "Let It Begin With Me."  These slogans capture the essence of the Serenity Prayer for me.  By letting go and letting God handle things, I accept the things I cannot change more easily  It is a reminder that I am powerless over many things, and those are best handled by God.  This allows me to have peace and serenity in times of stress, anxiety, or indecision.
     Next, "Let It Begin With Me" prompts me to change the things I can to improve my situation.  Sometimes, I forget that things may not improve if I simply sit back or just complain about my situation or my needs not being met.  In those times, this slogan reminds me to think about things I could do, such as finding alternatives if I am unhappy with my situation.  I could simply ask another person for their company or help if the person I first had in mind is not able or willing.

I Gave Myself Another Look          by Levi L

After decades of being a chameleon, changing and adapting myself to safely belong, I didn't have a solid grasp of who I truly was.  The small sense of self I developed growing up in an alcoholic home was further diminished when I dated an abuser, then an alcoholic.  There was no room in those relationships for my opinions or growth.  I was so lost I couldn't make any decisions for fear they would be wrong and I would be punished.  I needed to be told everything, from what restaurant to eat at to what my interests or goals should be.
     Now, after just nine months in Al-Anon, I can look back and see myself more clearly. I wasn't sure I had made any progress until after I was told it was visible to others.  I gave myself another look.  I can see slow and gradual progress. I can make decisions.  I speak up, but most importantly, I am less reactive.  I feel less responsible for my alcoholic loved one's mood or problems.  The woman I want to be can still care for others while holding boundaries.  The woman I want to be can pause and think of the response I know can be more effective for my goal - a woman whose own north has a stronger pull than anyone else's.
     I can forgive my mistakes and character defects because they weren't born from malice.  Living life for myself and not someone else is an easier battle today, and one I don't back down from as readily as I did in the past.  My alcoholic loved one and I are separate people, and I am worthy of mattering equally as a partner.

"Let It Begin With Me": A Call to Action             by Heather S., Associate Director - Community Relations, WSO


The Al-Anon Declaration
Let It Begin with Me
When anyone, anywhere, reaches out for help,
let the hand of Al-Anon and Alateen
always be there, and - Let It Begin With Me.

To some, these words may sound like a prayer.  However, unlike a request for support from a Higher Power, a declaration is a formal statement, often made to assert something purposefully.  The Al-Anon Declaration is more than just a statement of hope - it's a pledge and a promise to be there for others so that no one faces this struggle alone.
     The 1974 World Service Conference theme, "Let It Begin WIth Me," resonated deeply with Al-Anon members.  It became the foundation for the Declaration, which was introduced and adopted the following year.  First printed as a wallet-sized card, the Declaration appeared in Al-Anon literature and early public outreach materials.  Since then, members around the world have recited it.  It reminds us of our personal commitment to recovery and acts as a call to action to help others.
     For me, the Declaration not only reminds me to remain committed to my own recovery but also invites me to serve others.  Reaching out, offering support, and extending a hand to those who are struggling is my way of fulfilling that promise.  It's a living, breathing declaration that requires me to act.  I must do more than just hope; I must reach out and help those who are still suffering.
     One of my first experiences with public outreach was when I spoke at a local treatment center.  A fellow Al-Anon member had arranged for the inclusion of Al-Anon in their family orientation program, and I volunteered to share my story.  As I spoke, I recalled sitting in the same chairs as those attending, feeling the same overwhelming emotions of anger, confusion, and heartbreak.  I shared how Al-Anon had been a balm for my pain, offering hope through the example of others in recovery.
     A few weeks later, I ran into a woman at my home group who seemed familiar.  She mentioned that she had been at the treatment center and had heard me speak. "You told me to come here," she said with a smile.  It was a moment that touched my heart.  Knowing that my words had helped her take that first step toward healing reminded me why we do this work.  It's not just about sharing our stories; it's about offering hope and showing others they are not alone.
     The Al-Anon Declaration reminds me that while recovery is a shared journey, it begins with each of us committing to help.  "Let It Begin With Me."