The only conventions I've been to have been either outdoor camping events, little local things, or one day conventions in hotels etc.
so being at a loose end on saturday I went to the Northern National Convention in Blackpool. How many shares did I hear? 2. How many speaker events did I get to? 0.
Why? well i couldn't move without bumping into someone I knew, or had met at 1 meeting, or people who recognised me but not them - especially the guy from the North East who I met once at a rehab meeting 2 years ago - I just couldn't recognise him until he explained that 2 years clean and sober is what he looks like now, 2 years ago he weighed 120lbs or so, couldn't walk, could barely talk, but could listen. He was kind enough to tell me he listened to me. He's now a healthy weight, back in self employment, looking great and back in touch with his family.
when this stuff happens it makes me feel really good and I won't walk away from a brother who wants to talk and tell me how good he is today.
another guy, a big, growly Barnsley boy, about the same time in as me, Grasped me in a big old bear hug, he's doing great, studying animal psychology, got his own business as a dog behaviour trainer (he trains the owners really) and is loving life.
who'd a thought two big barnsley growlers would unabashedly be hugging each other in public? It's great int it.
Now I know why it's a 3 day convention - you need loads of time to meet and greet and then you might have a chance of getting tohear the speaker meetings and the marathon meeting sharers.
definitely on the list for a full weekend next year.
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It's not having what you want, it's wanting what you got. BB
I've only been to one. "Sessions by the sea" at the beach in Maryland. It was a lonq weekend and it was pretty cool, the biq qatherinqs of like minded folks. It pressed the importance of fellowship in my proqram at a little under a year.
Steve brother. There's Birmingham this summer and a camper in the south and our own one dayer in sheffield in June. I can even do you a bed for you an the missus foc for that one.
__________________
It's not having what you want, it's wanting what you got. BB
I've only been to one, the International AA Convention in San Antonio TX last year. My first experience of complete awe was at the Dallas airport, waiting for a connecting flight. I found it amazing that "we" can be so easily be spotted... we can see in each others eyes that we're family.
I noticed that with all the traffic.... all these tens of thousands of people descending upon San Antonio... it was all so peaceful, cooperative, and orderly. The walking traffic from the Alamodome back to the Convention center at night was very, very slow... elbow to elbow.... but it was so pleasant to be foot-shuffling in the middle of a sea of gratitude.
While inside the Alamodome the first night, I had lost my way back to my seat after a trip to the ladies room, I could NOT locate my friend and I was horrified. A couple of people sitting in their seats nearby had noticed and jumped up to help me... willing to look around this enormous stadium for my friend..... WHO DOES THIS?!!!! Wouldn't most people typically think, "what a ditz" and look the other way?! (ok, if they did indeed think I was a ditz, I failed to notice, LOL!!)
I just found the whole thing had an incredible spiritual energy, and I'll never forget it.
Thanks for the share BB, brings back a lovely memory.
-- Edited by gladlee on Sunday 27th of March 2011 04:34:15 PM
feels like you're teasing me, Dean, because I found someone from the other side of the planet to go with me... twas the primary reason I went to the convention in the first place... and what convinced me that I need the CODA board, lol
Yea, I'd love to say I went there for spiritual reasons, but Spirit grabbed me anyway.
Awww you guys!! couldn't wait for me to come outside and join you; you had to open up the door to my heart and come in and spread your happiness and joy...Dang...thank you.
Bill; conventions for me are a very dense consentrationn of recovery from angles beyond comprehension. I believe that HP uses them to flood those in recovery with spiritual, emotional, mental and behavioral super support. I also believe that at conventions I will and do meet solutions to God's concern for my problems, such as you met a man you onced helped into recovery and that included recovering his relationship with his family. He had words for you along with experience that with open mindedness, honesty and willingness you might also attain that. I for me on this journey have come to understand that so very often that is how my Higher Power works in my life...when I remove all defenses from my being. The teacher who was at one time the student while you were the teacher...just might have passed before your recovery. Perspective.
I love conventions. They are a great place to "get" from.
