Congrats on your 30 days that's huge.
Find someone that goes to your meetings that you can relate to and try to start a conversation.
Working the program to me is working the steps to the best of your ability on a daily basis and helping others..

Hi Angie, I am not shy but I got a temp sponsor, till I picked a permanent one. Take it slow on the talking. We have a lady who was so shy she would just shake her head when asked if she wanted to share. I talked to her and told her to just say I'm Angie I am an alcoholic, I'm glad to be here I will just listen. As she got used to people and started enjoying the fellowship, she opened up more. gim is right get to know everyone there, one at a time. You are doing great on 30 days, step up and take your chip, you deserve it. Hugs Randy

It's fine not to talk, and best just to listen for a while, as the guys said.
If you ever get a desire to talk, you will....maybe. I get many burning desires to share, but it's still hard for me. It will come, but even if it doesn't, don't worry about it. The meetings will still help you. It that sponsor that you really need!

I would suggest getting to a meeting before everyone else gets there, and the first person that gets there is who you can share a little with about you wanting a sponsor.

Ask him or her if they would help you out. They will either offer themselves as a temp. (if it's a gal) or can ask one of the ladies for you.

Congrats on 30 days! Awsome!

If you held a gun to my head and forced me to answer, I'd probably say "yes" - but only in the sense that opening up to people is the ultimate sign of trust and courage. If you sit in fear and protect your vulnerability, you may be blocking other things as well. I truly believe that the ego takes a big walloping when you put yourself in a vulnerable position. Being vulnerable and not conceding to fear also allows spiritual power in - try it - you'll see what I mean.

As for working the program - I would suggest you start reading the big book - that's the basic text(book) of AA and has a heap of suggestions on how the work the AA program. Reading it with a sponsor and following through on the suggestions contained therein is a very powerful experience. Highly recommended from this alkie.

Good luck and try not to let fear and false-pride be the dominating factors in your life.

Also keep it in mind that what a newcomer has to say is very powerful for people who have been in a while - that rwness and newness really hits home. there is no time limit on sharing either - 10 seconds is absolutely fine.

I agree with everything said....I know that even though many people came up to me after my first few meetings & wanted to talk, I still didn't feel comfortable & was more interested in getting them to shut up so I could run for the door.

What made me feel comfortable was walking up to someone myself after I had heard her share a few times and just told her that I appreciated what she had to say and it really hit home for me. That opened the door and she started talking to me and introducing me to others.

I think you'll find though that if you just simply introduce yourself and say that you have 30 days but get nervous about sharing, many will come to you and once you know a few people a little, you'll feel much more comfortable sharing.

I do think that you will benefit more and meet people quicker if you share a little about yourself. I sat quietly speaking to no one for the longest time and was miserable. Wasn't till I opened my mouth and by doing so allowed others to get to know me, that I started making friends.

Congrats on 30 days! That is great! Good for you! :)

there is only 1(one)onumero uno program that is 12 steps the blu book 12 traditions and 4 absolutes there are no individual programs that is crap so watch who ya listen to get a sponsor read the book pray and go to lots of meetings and you really shouldnt comment for a long time listen learn Tom

There is no shame in being afraid. Courage is being afraid and acting anyway. Start with one person and ask for help the rest will come.

The best part of sharing in meetings, to me, is carry the message and sharing the solution. I love the chats with people before and after. Volunteering to make the tea and coffee and bring nice snacks is a fabulous way to integrate, so is being a greeter at the door.

I believe sharing your story with another alcoholic is a part of recovery. It doesn't have to be in a formal meeting, but it helps to make you feel a part of the fellowship and reinforce the belief that you are not alone.

When I was drinking I wasnt able to communicate in a healthy way due to my low self opinion and pride. "they dont want to hear what i have to say,....they wont listen,....I will gt it wrong so I wont say anything. very Disempowering thinking. being given the opportunity to share is an empowering action.

I need to ask myself "what am I not sharing is it Fear, Fear of what others might think. Is it self esteem. woried that i wont say the right thing. Mmmm?

Perfectionism is a disabling habit. I found it great to be able to start talking. We need to start sometime eh!

Getting a sponsor, or having good friends in AA around you that you talk to will help you to open up, and to m,ake that step of speaking and Empowering yourself.

I needed to Trust that whatever happended I ws going to be okay, when I made that step to sharing with someone about me.

Everybody works the programme that AA offers differently. There are only 12 staps however people are allowed to work it to suit there personalities. Human beings being human beings we will tend to take the easy option, It is therefore a good idea to get someone who has lived the steps to help you and to give you that loving nudge when we need it.

If we want to get physically fit we go to the gym . If we want to get fit we take the programme and the information in that programme that is offerd by the gym instructor. If we want a life without alcohol, its a good idea to impliment some programme of activities into your life.

all the Best. Well done on 30 days. Keep practicing FAITH. Oh, please do not minimise who you are or what you might have to say just because you think you only have 30 days. A good share is a 'Heartfelt' share whether it is from someone who is 10, 15, 20 years ....or 30 days sober.

Yes,it can be,but if you're not comfortable sharing in front of a crowd,just try to find at least one person you feel comfortable with to share with in the beginning. I know the hardest part for me was to open up and talk to just one person in the beginning. I listened for quite a while and eventually heard someone who talked about similar issues that I was dealing with. Remember to be patient with yourself,since everything doesn't happen overnight! Congratulations, and Best of Luck!

WTG on 30 days!

I found that when I stopped worrying about what I was going to say if they called on me to speak is when I was ready to say something. Maybe it will be like that for you too.

Smile at people...it is the only language that everyone knows and you don't have to utter a single word!

Congrat's on your 30 day's, yeah by all means go up and get your chip, you are showing the newcomer that you can stay sober. I was scared to death to walk up in a crowded room and get my chip, but I was told to do it anyway, and that is how you handle fear, you do baby steps but do it and little by little, before you know it you are actually at a podium participation meetings and raising your hand to go up and share about your day. They use to make us greet at the door when new and make coffee so you feel a part of and it all works to get out of yourself and to get recovery. Take care and hope this helped.I found in early sobriety it was more important to listen then to talk anyway. Getting a chip you don't have to say anything just your name and thank you and then sit down, not as hard as we make it out to be. Remember everyone else at that meeting has been there also.

Just begin by introducing yourself in whatever way you choose. The reality is that you will find it easier to share when you have something to say - get a sponsor and work the steps, this will give you recovery to share about and carry the message.

Do none of the meetings you go to make a sponsorship announcement at the end of the meeting?

The question is this, and I know it is gonna sound tough but what are you more afraid of, sharing or drinking?