The material presented
here is not Al-Anon Conference Approved Literature. It is a method
to exchange
information, ideas, feelings, problems and solutions on a personal
level.
When I went to an open AA meeting last Friday I shared a little bit of my story on the topic that was chosen for the night. There was only 3 of us Alanons there. At the end of the meeting an A came up to me and asked if I could be the Alanon speaker for his group function that is being held on April 26th.
I was so honoured, but I declined because I have been in the program for 8 months. Maybe once I have more months under my belt I'll get the courage to do it if ever asked again. I felt so wonderful that I was asked. Has anyone been a speaker that has less than a year in the program? Do you have any pointers for me in case I ever get asked again. Thanks
In my state, all you have to do is "tell your story." Often each of our stories has a lot of ESH that we don't always see. Because we are all different, each of us helps different types of people that we never even realize until after the fact.
Once I finally got up the courage to get a sponsor, she told me "don't ever pass up the opportunity to serve" as it is part of the Alanon legacy "Recovery through the steps; Unity through the traditions; and Service through the Concepts."
Great topic :) yours in recovery Maria123
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If I am not for me, who will be? If I am only for myself, then who am I? If not now, when?
I've only been a speaker to friends. lol Maybe it's your rawness that they want. I wish you would reconsider and speak. It may be your opportunity to save someone else. Don't let that slip by. Pray to your HP as to what to do. I can see why your honored. ;)
Alberta go find that man and say u would love to do it . I have had the privelidge of speaking at conventions and I always hear my self say something I need to hear = go figure . It's your story , your life and at this time your the expert . I try to never say no to an AA or Al-Anon request . Yu can only share what you have learned in our program and how it is helping you . stick to the facts and keep the topic YOU and recovery and u will be just fine . Oh and by the way it is ok to say NO too . The decission is ultimatley yours and yours alone , but I personally learn alot from newcommers sometimes they say the most profound things , we all have somethng to offer rose . good luck and please let me know what u decide to do . I am interested . Louise This is a oportunity to work on step 12 . Just keep the focus on you and how u got here what your learning here and how it has changed your life to date. .assuming u decide to do this of course .
I agree with the others! I recently answered a call to speak put out by our district. I will be telling my story for the first time the last Saturday in May at a monthly meeting held in San Antonio. While I am a bit nervous about it, I also see it as a wonderful opportunity to continue my personal growth and to give back a little of what I have been given.
I have never been "The Speaker" at a conference, but have shared several times at roundups and other large meetings. My f2f is very tiny, it's a big day when we have 8 people, but it is amazing how comfortable I felt, standing in front of 150 people or so at a podium in a hall. It's really no different then sharing in your own meeting, (except you might want to try a little harder to keep on track and not go wandering off on digressions!) All you know is your own story, and that is all they want from you. The opportunity will come again...
Thank you everyone for your input. Every Friday I go to the open meetings, so I am reconsidering, after reading all your posts. This is usually at the open metings so I will talk to him on Friday.
I was asked to tell my story not at a 12 step function but at a special class that was being held at our church on Wednesday evenings. Bless his little pointed head the man gave me a whole 3 hours notice which was probably good because I didn't have time to get really nervous. The main topic of the class was how my HP had worked in my life, which fell right into the 12 step aspect of it all. At the time I had about 1 1/2 years in program.
Fortunately I have spoken at large events before so this wasn't all new to me. I made a few notes and said "Let's go do it God, you and me".
When I arrieved in the room there were already quite a few people there and as I sat at the front of the room people seemed to come out of nowhere and they just kept coming. When I saw the entire youth group show up I said to myself "SELF, is this the time you should be starting to get nervous?" There were about 100 people in the room when we started the class. The fact that the youth group showed up led me to change what I was going to say a little to focus more on them and the challenges they face in today's world.
When I finished I got a standing ovation and that is when I got nervous. I had to leave right after the talk I was giving to attend my regular Al-Anon meeting and on the way out the door the minister gave me a big thumbs up with a huge smile.
I am so glad that I gave the talk and gave away some that I have been given. I received a lot of positive remarks later and saw a lot of tears in the audience during the speech. The youth minister told me that he later asked the kids if they could tell him what the other speaker talked about...No what did the minister talk about last Sunday morning...couldn't remember What did Miss Barbara talk about on Wednesday night? They all remembered. That alone told me that I had done the right thing.
Our time in the program doesn't dictate what we have that may be helpful to someone else. Like someone else said I too hear some of the best things from newcomers. Please let us know what you decide and how it goes if you decide to tell your story.
In recovery Barb
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Everything I have ever let go of has claw marks all over it.
What a wonderful compliment to your program of recovery!!!!
It's ok to say "No" but You don't have to have a certain amount of time to be able to share your e, s, & h with people in recovery. And that, my friend is all that sharing your story is about.
I would suggest meditate, pray, seek your HP guidance about what is right for you and your recovery. Sometimes, reaching outside our of comfort zone is a growing experience that will bless us beyond our dreams.
Whatever you decide, know that you were asked because he saw healthy recovery in you and that is the Miracles that we receive from working on ourselves!!!
Peace to you,
Rita
Oh, by the way, I shared my story for the 1st time when I had 10 months in the program and had only worked through the first 3 steps, just started working my 4th step. Since then, I have been asked to share my story at several times, Women's retreats & AA meetings. Not because of me (I still get nervous & a little sick to my stomach just before walking in front of a crowd), but because of how my HP is able reach other people thru my recovery story.
-- Edited by Rita G at 12:18, 2007-04-12
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No matter what me and my God are going to be ok, even better than OK -
There were about 100 people in the room when we started the class. The fact that the youth group showed up led me to change what I was going to say a little to focus more on them and the challenges they face in today's world. 