I'm not being silly. I know the importance of meetings to me and my sobriety but as a sponsor fail to convey this important message effectively. I am asking for quotes like "meeting makers make it", passages from any approved literature, or ideas. I try to set an example and realize that I can not make anyone do anything but also know that I am not an "expert" on the books and I always try to reinforce any AA suggestions with written documentation. This type of reinforcement helped me in early sobriety and still does. Any thoughts will be appreciated. Neil
This is my first post. If inappropriate please let me know (in that gentle AA way.
Send her or him to this site, just to see the "WE" as a "Fellowship of Recovering Alcoholics"
We need each other when the urge to pick up that first drink, we dont have tools to not finish that thought when it comes up. I know I didn't.
She/He can read about others failures, such as my own, when I attempted to try to get sober without Meetings. In my opinion, it does not work, it never did for me, and this is just my opinion only.
By the way, if you did that, you could edit out your Post, so they would not have to read it, if you wanted to.
And remember it is an Inside Job, so it has to come from the inside of them, no words by anyone will change that.
AA is for people that WANT IT, not for people that NEED it. good to remember.....
People who don't go to meetings, don't see/hear what happens to people who don't go to meetings.
Meetings are a place where I feel needed, wanted and loved. Something I didn't feel before with my old playmates and playgrounds.
Meetings are a place for 12 step work: Having had a spiritual awakening as a result of these steps we try to pass this message to alcoholics and practice these principles in all our affairs. By going to meetings we're trying to carry the message to alcoholics. We can't keep what we don't pass on. BB: nothing ensures immunity more than working with another alcoholic.
It important to me to give back what was so freely given to me.
Meetings are a comfortable place for me to learn and grow in spirit.
For me its because I've mostly always have listened with my eyes. I use to hear better than I do now (double bionic) and I use to hear the message. I got to "hear" it more clearly by watching the walkers rather than listening to the talkers only and I did what the walkers do. My sponsors always were humble and from that telling me that they didn't have everything at everytime and I needed to be around others to insure that I had the understanding of what the program and the fellowship were all about. The message of recovery is greatly enforced when it is being worked by many. I have had some very very good sponsors and yet most of my recovery has comes from the membership in the rooms. I also go to AA meetings to give back to others what has been so freely given to me and as a result has saved my life.
My first meeting was a cd on the fellowship, ironic? Not likely, so many wonderful things have been happening since choosing to recover with aa. A fellowship of like people so different from one another with shared experiences. Great resource for help, inspiration, joy.
Welcome to MIP, Neil. It is explained in the 12 & 12 of our literature how meetings are a positive working of step two. They definately help me to stay on the straight & narrow of sane thinking around alcohol. I know it is a part of my illness to think that taking another drink for me would not lead to the same misery I had with it before. Now as a 12 stepper I have a responsibility to carry the message to the next sufferer & helping others helps me. It is a joy for me hear the honesty & fellowship shared in meetings between people who might not ordinarily mix. It is also good step three work I believe to share at a meeting as I am demonstrating my faith & trust that the right thing will be said &\or heard. Being at a meeting whether on a 'bad' day or 'good' day is useful for me. It always helps me to listen & learn more. I love being a part of our fellowship. I look forward to your posts, Danielle x
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Progress not perfection.. & Practice makes Progress!
I used to hate meetings. Then I tolerated meetings. Now I look forward to meetings.
For me, meetings are the most important(and enjoyable) part of recovery. I love the fellowship and the sharing of experience, strength, and hope. I love to hear many different points of view. I love learning what works-- and what doesn't work. I love greeting newcomers. I love holding hands and praying together. I love the hugs.
As a person coming up on twenty years. I for a long time did not go to meetings. I thank my HP that my wife is a walking twelve step program. For years I was miserable and towards the end in a deep depression. My wife would remind me daily, it's time. Being the stubborn alcoholic with no desire to drink but the fog of an AA who just stepped into the rooms. I would tell her not to worry. That I would be alright. Well I wasn't. A little over two years ago I went back to my meetings. I feel so much better and no longer hide under my covers. So for me today the question is not Why but, Why not?
I like the responses! My sponsor used to say to me if I missed a meeting (in a somewhat snarky voice): "I don't know what YOU were supposed to hear at that meeting, but I know I heard what I was supposed to hear"
Thanks everyone for the responses. They were pretty much what I expected and had hoped for. It is good to receive validation for my own thoughts and also gives me more of what I need to encourage others to Go To Meetings! Thanks
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