I nearly left a meeting when I witnessed a man cross talk and scream at a man. It shook my bones this guy was so mean and angry but he calmed down and apologized. I was wishing I had an ignore button for the guy! Lol! Good for you Rivalino for not allowing that man to steal your serenity OR your sobriety!

I have left a meeting or two feeling worse than when I arrived, maybe even a handful of times, out of hundreds . What else has that high a sucess rate.

Rival, that's fine. You exercised your right as a free adult. There's always going to be those in AA still at the complaints counter, just as in any community gathering. I've seen abusive speakers, but then I remember the extent of damage alcohol can do to the brain. That's where those well placed 'banners' come into play. I find myself drifting away from the speaker and focusing on 'one day at a time', 'but for the grace of god' etc. Like donttread mentioned, leaving one meeting in three years is pretty good odds. CM xxx

There is nothing wrong with leaving a meeting if you need to. Meetings really are only as healthy as the people running them and I have found some pretty sick meetings out there. However I used to be a very sick person and frankly would have felt badly for anyone coming to a meeting full of people like me when I was first introduced to the program.

Today I have choices, one of which is I am able to get up and walk out of a meeting that I am uncomfortable at, which doesn't happen often. I have no shame when I do that as I need to keep me healthy if I am to help anyone else.

There are two great sins in my life today. The first is to interefere with my own spirituality and the second to interefere with someone elses spirituality. If by sitting in a meeting that is very disturbing to me, then am I not interefering with my spirituality. These are just things that work in my life today. Glad you were able to come here and talk about it. God Bless, Mike

Rivalino, I'm glad you did the right thing for you. To Thine Own Self Be True. You neither asked him to take your inventory or his counsel. In our meetings the chairpeople stop cross talk. Doesn't matter how much time he has, his cross talk said nothing about you but spoke volumes about him. Don't let him take your power away. Don't waste any more energy on this issue but don't avoid meetings because you think he might be there. You've earned your seat! Happy Belated birthday wishes, Dianna

Good Post!!! My sponsor always tell me to keep what I can use and throw the rest away. Sounds like you did that!!

Darrell

the tricky thing, rivalino is to look in the mirror and ask yourself if this inventory taker had a point. If so it's food for thought, if not it's ancient history.

I really appreciate the feedback from one and all of you thanks so much for taking the time
Its a huge help
Last night i was canceling meetings until I dont know when! but i think i might just catch one tonight
Thanks u Lot

I too have left a meeting or two, when tempers flair or it became a battle of the witless. We that attend those meetings are only human, and humans have feelings, both good and bad and we don't always know how to express ourselves appropriately, because we are not perfect.

There is nothing wrong with leaving a meeting, or anywhere else for that matter, if the energy is bringing you down. You have to look out for yourself and who cares what anyone else thinks about you leaving. Please don't give up on meetings...and if it continues in that one, find another one.