Simply Me: Twelve Concepts

Saturday, July 13, 2013

International Convention

Last week I had the honor to visit Vancouver, B.C. for the International Al-Anon Convention. The city was beautiful, lush and green. Every direction I turned there was a beautiful view. My friend and I were there for about a week, exploring the city by public transportation and foot. The convention it's self was amazing from the workshops to the big meeting speakers! I loved walking the halls of the convention center and hearing the laughter. In fact, our hotel was down in Richmond, so we took the SkyTrain back and forth. The locals are very quite on the train and although very nice and courteous, really keep to themselves. Well you add a few Al-Anons here and there through out the train (I could tell because they were still wearing their badges) you get laughter and calling out to each other about something funny. Made my heart and face smile. I also thoroughly enjoyed the diversity of attendees from all over the world; such as Japan, New Zealand, Australia, Italy, Singapore, Germany, England, South Africa, every state in the USA, Canada, to name just a few places. I found it very inspirational to hear experience, strength and hope from all over the world, although different perspectives, essentially the same story. I learned some new tools, some new slogans, and many, many new perspectives for me to process for a while. Thank goodness I take notes so I can go back and digest all the amazing information. I picked up many of the CDs to listen to, since it was not physically possible to go to all the workshops. I feel like the convention has continued since I got home as I listen to the CDs. While in Vancouver, I did a lot of listening and simply being present. I needed exactly that, to be in the present and detach from reality for a while.

That is all for now. Please enjoy a few of the photos I took while on the trip. I was able to capture some of my own reflection photos! We had amazing weather the entire time we were there, no rain, just beautiful puffy white clouds!