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.
I love you guys! Here are some of my thoughts to some of the recent posts. It may be a little brutal, it may be too soft. This is just how I see it. Not trying to raise any controversy at all.
My sponsor is out of town often. He travels to all the bike rallys through the US. When he is working and knows he needs a meeting...he grabs a phone book, looks up the local group and will call and see if someone can come to him from the group. Without fail, each time he has called, there is a member of the group there within minutes. (Helping others is helping ourselves). He isn't even in a bad state of mind. Just knows that he needs contact with people from the program on a regular basis.
I know one of the most important things is to get out there and attend several groups and this one as well. Here is the thing. If I can make it to a group, could I call and ask for a ride? Cerntainly. (Helping others is helping ourselves).
It is important to go to other groups. Not so much that you have heard everyone's story at the group you attend whether it be in your home town or online. I think it is impossible to hear and know everyone's story. More is yet to revealed.
I go to a group about once a month about 350 miles from here. It is one of my most favorite. It is a very large and very positive group. Sometimes, it is just where I need to be when I am not getting it from another meeting. Sometimes, the small group I go to where I live is exactly what I need.
What I am getting to hear and learn, are other's experience, strength, and hope in a way I may not have heard before. I am getting to see and meet new people. I am getting to share my experiences.
So, for me. I love this group here online. I love my home group and all the others groups I attend. I leanred early on I have to get out there and get all my out there if I wanted this recovery bad enough. I have to let no excuse get in my way. There is always someone there to help and I know that I can return the favor in some way as well.
I truely believe, in helping others is helping ourselves. If staying with one group works for you....that is great. What works for some may not work for others.
All of you guys help me so much. I need to come to this post daily. Josey you keep it coming! All of you have been a big part to my recovery.
Thanks for sharing Ziggy~ really reminded me of those obscure meetings I attended early on in my recovery. I have gotten different messages and different vibes from each group. All positive but unique in their own way. Your post has made me think about getting back in touch with those groups. Have a great day.
Hugs,
Twinmom~
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"The people who don't mind matter and the people who mind, don't matter". (Dr. Seuss)
I started going to meetings, but have stopped. I do miss them and felt good when I went, but it only had two other members and I just felt weird. I did feel I belonged but I never felt comfortable to call anyone--my own block I suppose! Noone there mentioned a sponsor, so I felt weird asking for one. I come here and post everyday, but still feel like I miss something. I read and try to work my program--though don't feel like I'm progressing much. I find excuses not to go. Maybe after reading this and thinking about it, I will get myself out of myself and go and do what is needed to help me recover, not just survive.
Ziggy, In my experience, there is nothing more powerful than a meeting. Something happens in the rooms that cannot happen here. I think this website is a wonderful thing, and I come here daily, but there is nothing like working the 12 steps with a sponsor, telling your story to someone who can really hear it, and then seeing your life change. Part of the program is to get the unhappiness out that is inside of us, but there is a lot more to it than that. I love the internet for the informatin it can bring us, but it cannot take the place of everything. Blessings, mebjk
I'll never forget the first candlight NA meeting I went to. I will take a 12 step meeting anyway I can get it. We all sat around for the reading from their daily reader, then they lit candles and shut off all the lights and even drew the shades. Here I sit in a room full of addicts completely in the dark! LOL I love the meeting now.
Josey
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Julianne - It's best to move on. You cannot look back in anger in life. It's too short
Ahhh..candlelight meetings. Now there's something you can't do and feel online.
I wasn't sure what was going on at my candlelight meeting as I had never been to one. Each person was given a candle. The chairperson gave a subject to share on. As each person shared their candle was lit. Thus, bringing us all out of the dark and in to the light of recovery together. It was just awesome!!
Christy
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If we think that miracles are normal, we will expect them. And expecting a miracle is the surest way to get one.
We had a candlelight meeting at the conference I went to two weekends ago...it was on a balcony with a river flowing beneath it. Frogs were chirping, the river was gurgling, and we were sharing about spirituality......under the stars....man it was so beautiful!!!
