aa friends Community Group
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Last night, I stepped outside my little world a bit more and shared my story at a meeting I have only been to once before. I was nervous at first, as the guy that was secretary for the meeting, an old drinking buddy of mine,M, was supposed to pick me up, and didn't show. Another friend of mine from my home group was going to hear my story, so she came and got me instead and the meeting started a bit late, without M and a stranger (to me) as secretary.
Before it was time for me to speak, M showed up, apologetic as he had fallen asleep. He'd NEVER been late to a meeting before. He sat next to me at the head of the table and introduced me to the group.
I had kind of planned what I was going to say...but the energy and level of understanding in this group is not quite the same as mine, so I just started speaking from the heart about my experience, strength and hope.
In a room of about 25 people, I got nods from about 1/2 of them at some point in my story. When I was done, many of them thanked me, stating that I had reminded them of this, or that, and shared their trials with me.
It felt so freeing...and I noticed that while my story won't ever change, the way I tell it has. I have told it once before on my 1 year birthday, 2-26-09, not so long ago. I guess that just shows what sobriety and AA can do for your thinking. I feel so much clearer now and am starting to get to know myself even better. (It's about time, I'm nearly 39...lol)
Thank you all for being here and putting things out there for me to read and remind me of where I have been and where I am going.
I would encourage you all to share at different meetings and change it up a bit. It's amazing what it can do for your perspective.
Before it was time for me to speak, M showed up, apologetic as he had fallen asleep. He'd NEVER been late to a meeting before. He sat next to me at the head of the table and introduced me to the group.
I had kind of planned what I was going to say...but the energy and level of understanding in this group is not quite the same as mine, so I just started speaking from the heart about my experience, strength and hope.
In a room of about 25 people, I got nods from about 1/2 of them at some point in my story. When I was done, many of them thanked me, stating that I had reminded them of this, or that, and shared their trials with me.
It felt so freeing...and I noticed that while my story won't ever change, the way I tell it has. I have told it once before on my 1 year birthday, 2-26-09, not so long ago. I guess that just shows what sobriety and AA can do for your thinking. I feel so much clearer now and am starting to get to know myself even better. (It's about time, I'm nearly 39...lol)
Thank you all for being here and putting things out there for me to read and remind me of where I have been and where I am going.
I would encourage you all to share at different meetings and change it up a bit. It's amazing what it can do for your perspective.
Rivalino
Rivalino, yeah, it's how the gray matter is working. The longer I am sober and the more I get into the steps, the more my perspective changes on myself and the closer I get to my higher power.
While I was sharing that night, I had said, "I'm not sure why I am still sober today...by all rights, I should have picked up MANY times". And at the end of the meeting, the sub. secretary came up to me and said, "You DO know why you are still sober" to which I immediately answered, "Yep, my higher power has been looking out for me". How I forgot to mention that in my share is beyond me.