I will be sober 9 years this June--part of that I did/did not have a sponser.
I have asked at a lot of meetings, met with a couple of people and they said really that they did not have the time to pick-up anyone else.
I have done a lot of the steps, sometimes not in order--due to stress or injury, or near death of someone I knew, or the death of someone; ie making amends before passing or going to jail.
I have told about my boyfriend--he is 8 years older in real age then me--he has read quite a bit of material on AA and has been my Rock. He can tell when I am troubled and suggests going to a meeting or at times when at his house taking me there.
The first 3 sober years I had a sponser and grand sponser--but due to work schedule could not get to as many meetings as they wanted me too. Plus a lot of people were not reliable to pick me up for meetings.
That is when I turned to on-line help like MIP here and others--what a big help--you can speak your mind like in a meeting and not be chastized for it; as long as one follows the rules.
As I said before taking college classes and may not get on here as often--but looks like I needed to tonight.
Hey Karen! Congratulations on staying sober for 9 years,truly a blessing.There is literature that tells us"That those who get the most from the program find sponsorship important."The 12 steps are used as a program of recovery.Working the steps(in order)and practicing the principles simplifies our lives and changes our old attitudes!Our experience is that working the steps is our best guarantee against relapse.Meetings not only keep us in touch with where we have been,but more importantly where we could go in our recovery.. Remember also, that although the steps do lead to an awakening of our spirit that is evidenced by changes in our lives.,the changes make us better able to live by spiritual principles and carry our message of recovery...THE MESSAGE IS MEANINGLESS,however ,unless we LIVE it. and as we live it our lives and actions give it more meaning than any words or literature ever could. It is a blessing you have a significant other who is in support for you ,but "you" are responsible for your own recovery..I also spent many years self sponsoring,staying abstinent but not doing the work and by time I crawled back into the rooms,free from active addiction but totally 'diseased up"from spiritual and mental defects,shortcomings and fallen nature,I knew I needed to follow the suggestions,get a sponsor,do steps/traditions and concepts in order,share as my life depended on it,do service and give back what was so freely given to me.My life took off living better than any life I ever knew..This is my stuff and I am keeping it on me.(also suggestions of our program)We each have our own journeys to work out.Be blessed that you have not picked up in 9 years(I spent almost 20 years before the culmination of 2 stepping took its toll).Glad you are here ,sharing and helping us ,a day at a time,yes as long as you don't pick up ,you can't get drunk,but the benefits of utilizing all parts of our program(meetings,sponsors/sharing/service,and the work of our "solution"does bring us a life so much better than we have ever known...Have a blessed and productive day!!
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Selfishness-self-centeredness! That, we think, is the root of our troubles.
Yeah, I really don't have one either and I have 19 months. I'm open to the idea, I just haven't found what feels like a good fit yet. Probably too picky...
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Render unto Caesar that which is Caesar's, and unto God that which is God's.
My Recovery started when I got a Sponsor and started and completed the Steps. My Sponsor is someone who I talk to & he helps guide me through life by interrupting The Program for me. I've found that all the answers to my concerns/issues are in the BB. My Sponsor helps guide me to the answer and provides me with his Experience in what the issue may be. I truly believe I've grown up much quicker with an active Sponsor then I would've without one. Without one; I couldn't stay sober long enough to start any Recovery.
My Sponsor now helps me with helping others. Being a new Sponsor(Me); I talk with him about passing on my E,S & H to Newcomers. Once again; he guides me through that process.
I've learned a great deal from my Sponsor and I'm truly Grateful that God put him into my life.
It has been my experience that I needed ( and still need ) a sponsor to help guide me thru the steps in order, and she did just that in my first fewmonths sober and is still available to help me thru any problems or issues that I face. I havent had a drink in over 6 yrs and I really dont know what Id do without my sponsor.
There is no doubt in my mind that God put us in each others paths
