"...I am responsible. When anyone, anywhere reaches out, I want the hand of AA to always be there. And for that, I am responsible."
What does this mean to you?
That's not a rhetorical question, I really would like others' feelings on this. I had this quoted to me when I said no to someone...I really felt that for me to try anything else would be feeding the sickness, not the solution.
Cheri, I have a question. What did you say "No" to? You don't have to answer that if you'd rather not. I feel that if I can help I must, but some things are not in my power. I also feel my main responsiblity is to carry the program to drunks and pray they will work the program.
To me it means if someone really wants help, I'll try to help. But it doesn't mean I'll let people con me. That happened to me early on. Ultimately it's up to the individual's ability to be honest and I think it's probably best to be straightforward about what we (AA) can offer. If that makes any sense ...
What I said no to was going to court and testifying on a girls behalf. She wanted me to tell the court that she had been going to meetings and staying sober, but I have been the one she called when she slipped. I would go over and get her cleaned up and take her to meetings,but she kept doing the same stuff week after week. I felt that instead of helping her I was becoming a babysitter so she didn't harm herself. She didn't want to work the steps, she wanted to stay out of jail. She told me that.
To me, being responsible is doing what I can to help someone get, or stay sober, but at some point I have to be honest and say I'm not helping this person, I'm hindering them. Maybe someone else can help, but at that point, I'm not doing them or me any good.
Cheri, It sounds like you did the right thing for you . You are the one who would have had to live with consequenses of not being honest. Honest is one of the things that I have to be today, or my sobriety is in jeopardy.
A parole offfice made her guys sign a paper saying she could ask the people in AA meetings about them. I said no way will I talk about what they have said to me or in a meeting. It's confidental ,always has been ,always will be.
That's one of the things I've been able to get out of this program, the ability to say "No" and I don't always have to explain why that's my answer, it just is.
I pray the young lady will get sober,and get honest.
