Participation, harmony, and being heard – Episode 114

In your interactions with others, how do you find harmony? Do you sometimes feel that you are not heard? How do Concepts 4 and 5 help? Concept 4 says “Participation is the key to harmony.” and concept 5 states “The rights of appeal and petition protect minorities and insure that they be heard.” How do you understand Concept 4, “Participation is the key to harmony”? What can I do to participate more fully? When I participate in a group, do I feel more a part of it? When I feel part of a group, is it easier for me to be in harmony with its workings? Do I participate actively in my Al-Anon group? In other groups in my life? How do my relationships benefit when I participate fully in all areas of my life? How do I let others participate? What if I disagree with a decision of the majority? Can I still be heard? In Al-Anon? In my workplace? In my family? With my friends? How willing am I to listen to Al-Anon? my family? at work? How do the “rights of appeal and petition” help me find my voice when I am in the minority? Why is it important that minority opinions be expressed and heard? How has learning that I have a right to speak up changed the way I feel about myself? When is it just as important to keep my opinion to myself as it is to share it? How can concept 5 help me change how I feel about people who disagree with me? What can I do when I react negatively to someone’s opinion? How can I use steps 1-3 and “Let Go and Let God” in conjunction with these two concepts?