Post by caressa on Oct 13, 2012 5:09:14 GMT -5
Real integrity is doing the right thing, knowing that nobody's going to know whether you did it or not.
- Oprah Winfrey
Sometimes I can see within myself and others, going through the motions and yet in fact, that is what they are doing, they are often playing lip service, going through the motions, but not taking things to heart for whatever reason. They just may not be totally ready, they may not realize the seriousness of this disease, or they may think that alcohol is their only problem, and once they put it down, they are okay.
The person at the meetings is often a different person from the one you meet on the street. They don't take their program out of the rooms, their program is 2-4 hours instead of 24 hours. They arrive just before the meeting starts, they don't take part in the meeting or they go up and ask to take part more out of ego than wanting to be a part of, and or they leave after the meeting, not helping with chairs or socializing.
Not trying to be judgmental, I have been there done it and glad that I was made aware, and don't do it any more. Sometimes, that is just where we are at in our program and what we need to do for ourselves, even though it is not a good place to be.
Some days they may only be able to give 6-8, or 10-12, and that is okay, all we are asked to do is try. I let a sponsor go, because I saw her not walking her talk. I detached from a friend, who I met in meetings; but when I saw them "living" the program, I realized that I couldn't have that person in my life for my own serenity and sobriety.
I am a firm believer that we are products of our environment. If I stick with people who are using, it affects us. I have found this to be true with my son. I have had to do a lot of prayer and detachment, setting boundaries, and inventory work as to where I am as a result of having him in my life and my reactions to him. I can't blame it on him, recovery begins with me and it isn't about the other person.
Walking my talk is important to me and my recovery. Walking my truth and speaking my truth, each day as a testament that the program works.
As the saying goes, "I may be the only Big Book someone may see." My service sponsor many years ago told me, "If you were as hard on the newcomer as you are on yourself, you would drive everyone away from AA." I am my own worst critic.
- Oprah Winfrey
Sometimes I can see within myself and others, going through the motions and yet in fact, that is what they are doing, they are often playing lip service, going through the motions, but not taking things to heart for whatever reason. They just may not be totally ready, they may not realize the seriousness of this disease, or they may think that alcohol is their only problem, and once they put it down, they are okay.
The person at the meetings is often a different person from the one you meet on the street. They don't take their program out of the rooms, their program is 2-4 hours instead of 24 hours. They arrive just before the meeting starts, they don't take part in the meeting or they go up and ask to take part more out of ego than wanting to be a part of, and or they leave after the meeting, not helping with chairs or socializing.
Not trying to be judgmental, I have been there done it and glad that I was made aware, and don't do it any more. Sometimes, that is just where we are at in our program and what we need to do for ourselves, even though it is not a good place to be.
Some days they may only be able to give 6-8, or 10-12, and that is okay, all we are asked to do is try. I let a sponsor go, because I saw her not walking her talk. I detached from a friend, who I met in meetings; but when I saw them "living" the program, I realized that I couldn't have that person in my life for my own serenity and sobriety.
I am a firm believer that we are products of our environment. If I stick with people who are using, it affects us. I have found this to be true with my son. I have had to do a lot of prayer and detachment, setting boundaries, and inventory work as to where I am as a result of having him in my life and my reactions to him. I can't blame it on him, recovery begins with me and it isn't about the other person.
Walking my talk is important to me and my recovery. Walking my truth and speaking my truth, each day as a testament that the program works.
As the saying goes, "I may be the only Big Book someone may see." My service sponsor many years ago told me, "If you were as hard on the newcomer as you are on yourself, you would drive everyone away from AA." I am my own worst critic.
. I will be back looking for Lin and others.