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.
Today's reading is about sponsorship, from the point of view of the sponsor. The writer acknowledges how much deeper his recovery and program work became through his sponsorship of others. He learned a lot about himself as he worked the steps as a sponsor with the men who were his sponsees.
I have not been on the sponsor side of the sponsor/sponsee relationship but I can relate to this reading in terms of how much my recovery was elevated and strengthened once I began working with a sponsor. It is one of the strongest bonds I have with another person, and is such a unique (to the program) relationship. In my experience, my sponsor has been able to sense when I need the gentle nudge of the program, she is able to s so much about me even through an email exchange, and has helped me immensely.
When I came to the program, like some others I came to figure out how to get my H to stop drinking! Haha! It didn't take long for me to realize how off base that idea was, but my real and focused recovery began once I started work with my sponsor. As I wrote above, I haven't yet been on the sponsor side of the relationship, but as a teacher I can certainly relate to the idea of learning and growing through my communication with students.
if you are working with a sponsor, I hope you feel the strength in that. If you are a sponsor, I am grateful-- this has made all the difference in my recovery, for sure.
((Mary)) Thanks you for sharing the information on this important page The sponsor / sponsee relationship is a powerful tool offered by program and I am so happy that I have and am both. The growth, the trust, the intimacy that is shared between each is truly unique and uplifting.
Since both members benefit from the sharing in the relationship, it supports the concept of mutual aid and being a fellowship of equals.
Great reminder Thanks for your service.
Thank you (((Mary))) for the daily, your service and your share.....I have been on both sides and have to say that each give me a deeper understanding of people, the disease, the recovery and the set-backs. I am blessed to have a very loving sponsor who doesn't shove things down my throat (have had some more militant in the past) but listens and then asks me to consider different ways of thinking or doing and allows me to process as I need to in my time frame. I try to pass along the same style, as I have been more militant in the past, and it works for some but not for others.
I believe this is the most important aspect of my program. Without the principles, steps, sponsorship, etc. I would be left to my own thinking/processing and that's what got me here in the first place. I need someone to tell me that I am off center and to help me right size. Before this program, I had a permanent soap box in my home. I no longer have that - I sent it to the recycle bin - ha.ha.ha.ha.
Grateful to be one among many and grateful for the gifts of program and sponsorship! Make it a great day MIP family!!
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Practice the PAUSE...Pause before judging. Pause before assuming. Pause before accusing. Pause whenever you are about to react harshly and you will avoid doing and saying things you will later regret. ~~~~ Lori Deschene
