So I've done a lot of growing up in the past little while. There was a shift in my thought processes, and life is just easier. I don't know how or when, but pretty sure it was God just doing it for me. No more poor me's, etc. etc. no more loneliness even though I am alone (but I do have my son back in my life !), and people are seeking me out because I don't project the woeful angry soul anymore.... how in the hell did this happen ? I stayed in the program no matter how hard it got.
Things have changed so much for me that I was asked to speak at our Round-Up. I have only told my story twice before. I want to convey a msg of hope, that peace is attainable, and most of all that we can and should be able to laugh at ourselves. I can laugh at my insanity now, and how I almost ended it. I only have two years in but the main thing I want to convey is how life was put back together again for this 'humpty dumpty'. Any ideas for a first timer speaking in front of 500 or so brothers and sisters ?
I really do miss my friends here, Daniella, Dean, Joni, everyone ! But I don't have an internet connection anymore, and won't have one for some time. I enjoy giving back to my community as a volunteer firefighter, and appreciate time with all my friends. God Bless everyone
-- Edited by mstrmsn66 on Saturday 1st of May 2010 03:05:05 PM
__________________
I'm proud to say I am an Alcoholic, and my name is Scott.
If the plan for me is divinely inspired, no man shall find fault with where I am today, or how I got here.
They have never improved on telling What it was like, What happened and what it's like now. Many speakers spend too much time in the what it was like portion. AKA the drunkalog. We need to speak on it for audience identifcation but too much gets boring. Talk aliitle on the difficulty of admitting alcoholism and how you got to AA. Spend the most time on what its like now. This is our message of hope that we give to others.
The Audience if it is AA members are all your friends, you just have not met them all yet.
Let us know how it comes out.
Larry, -------------- Be as enthusiastic about AA as you were about your drinking
-- Edited by Larry_H on Sunday 2nd of May 2010 02:27:07 PM
The biggest complaint I hear is hands down spending too much time on what it was like or outside issues that don't clearly encompass a message of recovery.
I have been listening to speakers more often lately and I noticed that all the those that seemed to be well received have some intial words of welcome. I may think of it as trite, but it always seems to be appreciated by the audience. (think of a musical concert).
My favorite speakers tell their story with ancetdotes or mini stories that exemplifly the point they are trying to make. Keep it to 3-4 stories. This is versus the "and then and then and then", which I do when I get nervious. I suggest pulling a couple of shares from your history at meetings that people have seemed to be very receptive to. A little humor goes a long way.
To Thine Ownself Be True and Thy Will Be Done. I'm sure you were asked for a reason. Let us know how it goes. Sincerely, Angela
