I have one word for it... Wow. I've only been to two other meetings, neither of which thrilled me too much. This one was amazing. I could totally relate to these women (who were of all ages) and they were wonderful caring souls. I think there were 8 of us there and I felt completely at home. I'll be back next week for sure. Now, if I can just keep myself sober and get that 1st step down...
Oh great RG, I'm glad that it's happening for you. That's the thing about meetings, they are all a bit different and have certain feel to them. We gotta keep going to different meetings till we find those cozy ones that we can attend regularly.
Yes ,I also find that my Mens meeting (MENS ISSUES)is totally different than all others.Able to share things that I would not want to share in open or mixed gender meetings.Our woman groups also feel the same.I am by no means a prude but some of the graphics and language in our mens only meeting is pretty rough but usually very pertinent to what a lot may feel but just not say.(in so many words)...We all have our own venacular but some language I will not use in relationship to anyone men or woman.This is understood in oUr group and if it is offensive you are free to leave...MEN DO RECOVER and WOMAN WITH WISDOM..I hope you continue to enjoy your meeting..and it helps you free yourself!!!.
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Selfishness-self-centeredness! That, we think, is the root of our troubles.
I don't really like same-sex meetings, have tried a few times with womens meetings, but they're not for me, really. Dunno why, unless it's because I always ran with the bad boys in early adulthood and throughout my teens and was always a tomboy. I'd rather swing in trees than touch a barbie doll.
Aged 15 I became the only female in a biker gang, and that suited me right down to the ground, I grew up big and strong and scarey (all in my mind, of course, but it felt good at the time) I socialised with men much easier than with women, and could drink half of them under the table from a very young age, in fact I was such a drinker, the guys would happily buy my drunks just to show people 'how much this bird can drink' (That word drunk was a typo, but I left it like that, since it is applicable)
My nickname was 'Ole Holler legs' (Old hollow legs) - the guys reckoned I must have hollow legs to be able to drink that much. Anyhow, whatever the reason, I prefer mixed sex meetings, and more often than not I identify with the guys more than the women.
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Serenity is Wanting what you have, not having what you want
Always remember non-alcoholic beers are for NON-ALCOHOLICS
Avril- It's funny you say that. I thought that's what it would be like for me, but I was completely wrong. For me, I think the fact that all of these women were moms really helped me since they all have the same struggle with being "good enough," etc. Anyway, it was nice to see that I'm not going to completely fuck up my kids if I do something NOW rather than LATER. Best, Laurie
WOW that IS a good meeting, when I was new around I really struggled to find mums with kids, and one lady took me all over Yorkshire to find someone, and she hlped me so much back then, and thankfully, my kids got to Alateen, so they sorted themselves out of the F***ed up life they'd been used to. We still hear from some ofthe old alateens, in fact one or two have found their way into AA themselves, before completely screwing their lives up.
In this area nowadays, we have lots of single parents, so there's lots of help available. I'm nt knocking womens only meetings, I know lots of women who get a lot from them, so I say whatever floats your boat, they just didn't appeal to me, though if ever we got one up and running around here, I would go a few times to see if they (or me) have hanged. I dunno what happened to the opnes we used to have around these parts, there were some, but seem to have closed down over time.
Theye are ideal if anyone is not comfortable sharing some personal stuff with males around.
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Serenity is Wanting what you have, not having what you want
Always remember non-alcoholic beers are for NON-ALCOHOLICS
This is good to read Laurie. I am especially happy to hear you followed right up upon getting back from Singapore. Something great is in the works here! Recovery!! Keep the momentum going and try and be a part of AA as much as you can.
Mark
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Keep coming back. It works if you work it. So work it. You're worth it!
Same sex meetings are definitely where it's at. Never been to one that was bad. I went to a womans meeting once. (awkward). As soon as I walked in the door I pretty much did an about face and went to a different meeting!!!!! Kinda funny now that I look back at it.
