Thought I would post quickly about a meeting I went to tonight. A handful of people strolled in a couple minutes late. One of them looked like he might be drunk, or maybe just acts drunk when he's sober, I'm still not sure which. So I was tasked with reading from chapter 5 of the big book, up to the first step. The whole time I was reading he was laughing and making noise and in general being a pain. At that point I thought he was drunk for sure and there would likely be an episode of some sort. Now after I passed the reading to someone else I noticed he was staring at me the whole time. No matter who was talking, when I looked up he was staring at me. I paused a moment to look back and see if he would look away but nope. So I'm thinking - "holy crap is this someone that knows me and is pissed for some reason". This continued through the rest of the reading and the sharing part of the meeting. I kept saying to myself - "don't let it bother you", but of course it's very distracting and off putting to be started at like that. It took away from the power of the meeting for me, not entirely but quite a bit. After the meeting he came over and asked my name and where I lived. When I said my name he asked for my last name. WTF? I kinda mumbled it but I should've played the anonymous card and made something up. It seemed like a few others in the meeting knew who he was. Unfortunately this will probably make me less inclined to go to that meeting, which is frustrating because I really like the others in the group and the size of the meeting.
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Scientists announced that they have located the gene for alcoholism. Scientists say they found it at a party, talking way too loudly.
The more you go, the more you will find some nutjobs just like at work, on the subway, and everywhere else. I would not let it affect you going to that meeting if at all possible. Focus on the healthy people that you enjoy being around. The rest of your fellowship will take care of this dude if he keeps doing this. There will be a person with time that eventually approaches him and probably will give the feedback to be quiet in meetings and to focus on the readings. Of course if theres another meeting that's just as beneficial, might as well switch.
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Keep coming back. It works if you work it. So work it. You're worth it!
I will have to agree with pichchip try not to let it bother you, I know it can be frustrating. A little advice, when I go to meetings I just remember to tell myself that I'm in these rooms to improve myself.
I too had a couple of situations that at one point made me feel unconfortable and frustrated, I didn't let it bother me and certainly didn't let stop from being at the meetings.
I certainly asked my HP to guide through the uncomfortableness and was gonna let it stand in the way of my sobriety. So I will be thinking about and if it still bothers you somewhat, ask someone close to for advice and you'll findout that their advice might help.
Also just remember no matter where your at in your sobriety, there's always a chance that someone else may be a little sicker than you are and they need prayers.
Thanks everyone for your responses. A quick follow up on this .. in my Tuesday meeting this week I ran into a guy who was also there Sunday night. I asked him what the deal was with this person staring and laughing while I was reading and during the sharing. He told me the guy is on several medications and sometimes when they don't quite mix right he acts strange like that. So you were all right, especially you Doll! Not about me at all .. turns out it's easy to be self centered when I'm thinking only about myself. :) I'll work on that!
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Scientists announced that they have located the gene for alcoholism. Scientists say they found it at a party, talking way too loudly.
