As a complete neophyte who still doesn't have her shit together, I just wanted to say how grateful I am for the 12th step. I've never met so many wonderfully caring people as I have through the AA community. Some days it's what gets me through the day... Bless you all! Laurie
I'm just starting to work that step a bit more, and it's already beginning to have an effect for me. Your gratitude in such early recovery is refreshing and a good sign - it's only recently that I've started to develop a little bit of it. Hopefully I can build on that! I've started responding to newer people's posts here instead of only asking for advice (or more accurately in some cases, sympathy to feed my self-pity) and I have to say that although I may be sounding a bit like a big-book thumper, it's at least helping me by reinforcing principles in the book. I have to look the passage up that I think applies to the person's situation, type it in, and it reminds me how the passage fits me and my thinking as well. So in a very real sense, even if the person I'm trying to help doesn't even come back to read it, or doesn't understand it or like it or whatever, by helping others I really am helped.
Pass it on and pay it forward, I have been the blessed recipient of these values in AA. I am ever grateful to have been so. I hope always to carry on. We all do by being present on the boards, leaving honest shares and responding to newcomers, even if we haven't begun formally working the 12th.
My desire to help other alcoholics kicked in at about 5 months sober I think. For the first 3 months I was on this site (I found it at 60 days), I posted pretty much only asking for advice. I still post about me, but it's usually connected to identifying with someone else. When I think back to what I was doing at around 5 months sobriety, that is when I started chairing meetings and doing service. I'm betting the slight shift in my self seeking started then and partially because of that. Still a huge work in progress which is why step 12 is so great cuz now people pass the message on to me in the way that a person with just 16 months sober needs to hear it. It's really a beautiful thing.
Mark
P.S. Laurie...I am grateful for your honesty and sharing what you are really going through. The honesty is a big part of step 1 and it indicates that you can get this if that is what you chose. You came here a while ago not really wanting to attend meetings and much more unsure. I know you are still struggling with the surrender a bit, but I see it happening for you. Again, it's a beautiful thing.
-- Edited by pinkchip on Thursday 28th of January 2010 06:38:23 AM
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Keep coming back. It works if you work it. So work it. You're worth it!
Laurie, Nice to hear from you. I like the honesty you possess. You may not realize this but your doing 12 step work when you come here and go to meetings.
Your carrying the message of a newcomer and being present helps everyone in their recovery.
RG, we're glad that you are here for a number of reasons. We all help each other to stay sober. People with time in stay around to help the newcomers and the newcomers remind us why we are here. It's a mutually beneficial relationship that works when nothing else will.
