Outside reading.I have found this pertinent to all who carry the message of recovery.It talks of 'SOMETHING VALUABLE TO SHARE" a simple honest message of recovery from alcoholism always rings true.Check it out! YOU MAY IiDENTIFY... Your sitting at a meeting/celebration etc and first few people have shared their spiritual experiences in a very meaninful way,and then the next person gets up and profoundly shares on traditions and steps with in depth facts etc ,and then the next person up has you rolling in the isles with entertaining stories and then you are called on to share! You shyly introduce yourself, you probably never heard the previous peoples message cause you were too busy thinking what you were going to say, you stammer out a few lines ,thank everyone for listening and sit out the rest of the meeting in embarrassed silence.Feeling why is it that I never seem to be spiritual enough or funny enough or profound or just 'something" enough. But sharing is not a competitve sport. The focus of our meetings is identification,experience and honesty of which we all have in abundance. When we share from our hearts our experiences, others are able to identify and trust us because we are just like them.When we share how we got here,what has been effective in our lives keeping us here we can be sure our message can reach others,Sharing does not have to be spiritual,funny or fancy to ring true.Everyone working an honest program of recovery has something of immense value to share,their own experience and what is helping them stay in recovery "one day at a time" Repeat to yourself I AM SOMEBODY!. I AM SOMEBODY!.I think you are too. Next time you are asked to share,whether you got 30 days or 30 years it is your experience ,strength and hope and honesty that can keep me free for one more day!! Remember that and carry the message!
-- Edited by mikef on Wednesday 12th of May 2010 05:57:39 PM
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Selfishness-self-centeredness! That, we think, is the root of our troubles.
So I was right there this morning with a couple of other Program fellows at a recovery program and while the first member was sharing her ESH and sounding "better" than I could be I did what I normally do when I am confused about what and how I should respond and HP responded to me..."To thine on self be true". I only have one true story, the one I lived and am living. It's not about me anyway..."Lord make me and instrument of YOUR peace.
mikef, yet another something valuable YOU have shared here. I love it! So very true, all of it. We are not called ot AA to be entertainment, nor continually "profound", nor eloquent, nor even LITERATE (although these are fine and good) .... we are called to AA to share a "something", a Language of the Heart that sometimes is spoken as a laugh or a cry or a big hug., and always, if spoken roghtly, with a hand extended.
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~Your Higher Power has not given you a longing to do that which you have no ability to do.
Thank you! That was awesome. I am not a great sharer, i try and speak well but it often comes out a bit messed up. And then the nerves that i suck, well they make me think oh i am boring these people so i try cut it short or speak faster, which then makes me sound even worse. So, Next time i speak i will try take my time. i usually dont speak for more than 1 or 2 minutes but i will try take my time next time. LOL i might bore some people but it might be better to slow down and think hey i have a right to speak as much as the next person and its OK to be just me. I know if i am honest then my words might be able to be related to. I dont speak all spiritual or like i am serene but if im not honest then i am lying really. i mean its either honesty or lying isnt it? Or is there trying to sound good somewhere inbetween lol, hmm.
Anyways i know when others have been honest it has helped me.
Also AA is not a social club if i dont share honestly because i am worried that i sound stupid or not as good then i am selling myself self short and taking away my chances for a good recovery. Im not at AA to make friends - well i do have AA friends but the point is I dont go to meetings to impress people.
If i dont share my truth and how i am feeling and how life is then i dont get the benefits of that and if anything is bothering me then it will fester. Also not sharing what is wrong means no one can help me, and i need help.
-- Edited by slugcat on Thursday 13th of May 2010 12:54:04 PM
