aa Spoken Here Community Group

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diamuid 04/12/2016

I've recently moved to an area that I perceive to be more conservative than my previous city. While I found many people before this move who I could discuss Step 2 with in an open-minded and non-judgmental way, I am finding it much harder here in my current city.

Many people here express strong spiritual opinions in their shares. I was taught by my first sponsor that specific spiritual beliefs are not part of our common solution, so are best left out of shares. I try to share on what Steps 2 and 3 have done for me rather than on any particular spiritual beliefs I have. But, I find myself feeling more and more isolated. I long for the more pluralistic and open-minded discussions I had in my previous city. Any advise on working a program in a more conservative area would be greatly appreciated.

serenity4now 04/12/2016

Can you accept the principle that recovery is a process, not a moment in time? As you stay sober and learn new ways of viewing and reacting to the world your views and perceptions will change and evolve. I had a sponsor who was sober 57 years before he died and he used to say the same things at meetings. When I first heard him I heard one thing and then as I stayed around I heard more. Geographic areas are different. I moved from one distinct area to another and have traveled all over the USA. Every area is a little different. I am grateful I live in an area which is more true to how I interpret the AA material. The place I got sober had much more drama and dysfunction and the place I live now is more serene. Or maybe I am more serene. Maybe my way of reacting to the world, including AA has changed through my own experience, strength and hope... :)

diamuid 04/12/2016

Thank you for the reply. I have internalized that recovery is a process and my views have already changed quite a bit. This was not a hard idea for me to accept as it was also very important to my worldview before I got sober.

The root of it is truly fear. I fear not finding people who I feel safe being myself around. I have not as of yet found a way to root out that fear, so my character defects are currently in full force.

FloatyLight 04/27/2016

Hi diamuid

You hit the nail on the head yourself, fear...it always is, isn't it!

I remember times throughout my recovery where I have sat in meetings being Judgey Mcjudgson and it all stems from me wanting to "know." Don't challenge what I "know" and do it differently, say it differently or think differently because what I "know" is what is keeping me sober.........and then I remember actually what I "know" has never made a difference to my sobriety/recovery but what I do most definitely has!!

I heard someone say "what a person is sharing in a meeting is exactly what they need to be sharing for them and what God wants them to be sharing" so really what right do I have to judge or get involved in Gods work. It had a big impact on me and my Judgey McJudgson pants in meetings and now I can listen with love in my heart rather than my head most of the time ;-)

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