The next time I have a new sponsee, if she is able-bodied, we are going to do her 3rd step at the small structure at the top of those stairs. The view is astounding. Today I think I am more focused on the effort it takes to get there though. I went to a disturbing meeting this morning. But then I find a lot of AA meetings disturbing. It is always amazing to me how a few personalities can change the nature of a meeting. I know we like to go around saying "I don't have the power to do this or that..." But I don't buy it. I think one person has a lot of ability to hurt others, or comfort others, or make a meeting uncomfortable, or even unbearable. We all have the ability to make a huge difference in our environments, but I guess some of us don't know that.
I miss the people who used to go to that meeting. They would talk about recovery from alcoholism. Not how they were leaving their wives because she gained some weight, or how you were going to confront the person who ratted you out to the police and "caused" you to lose your job. Not how you called your son a filthy name because he failed to live up to your expectations. Etcetera, etcetera. When I shared, I tried to mention things like steps and finding a God of your understanding, but I am not sure that was a welcome message this morning.
After the meeting I got to go to breakfast with a group of women from the group. That was nice.
And then spent the day at home (except for a little 5 mile run), gratefully because I needed the down time desperately.
Now I shall go watch the Broncos game and knit for a tiny granddaughter who is not yet born.
Thanks be to God.
10 comments:
I like solutions to be discussed.
There are people who seem to feel they are talking to their therapist. But I have learned to just let them talk.
It's not my meeting. It's God's.
When I get another sponsee, I am going to ask them if they are willing to go to any lengths to work the program. If they say yes, without equivocation, then I will sign on with them. The problem is many say Yes, but when the time comes the balking starts, especially around Step Four.
sometimes, I think the discussion meetings have really watered down the AA message. I got sober in discussion meetings, but I regularly attended a 12X12 meeting and the occasional Big Book study meeting.
I love to tie discussions back to the Steps or Traditions. That sure beats my opinion every time lol
I really like your blog a lot, and the integrity that you have in your recovery as well.
Mary, I am a 50 year old woman and mother who has been battling our disease most of my adult life. Thank you so very much for this blog... I know you don't do it for glory or any sense of glorification... just and only because this is a way of providing service to the fellow alcholic. Thank you so very much - some days, you are all I have and all that keeps me hanging on. Someday, I hope your immense investment in my well-being will be a success story instead of a survival story.
~Eve
I love your comment about staying in the solution. keep it real.
I've been to some very peculiar meetings. But there are others which give me so much hope.
When I'm chairing, I shut some people up more more than I should. But if I don't intervene, people either go to sleep or leave in a rage.
Eve, thanks for your comment. For an alcoholic a survival story IS a success story. Hang in there.
That's a must read for alcoholic. I loved the way you have explained the things here and given the solutions. The picture you used is indicating your intention so clearly..
Hello. Ive been reading your blog for a while now and find it really inspirational.. im approaching 90 days and your words give me strength every day. I indentified with this so much as I found a meeting on sunday very strange, there were alot of sick people in there that I had previously thought were very well and it freaked me out. Thankyou for taking the time to write your blog.
Post a Comment