I look at it this way, ... If I wasn't nuts ... then I'm at the wrong place ...
AA groups are typically like a bowl of 'Granola' ... ... ... What ain't fruits and nuts ... ... ... wait for it .... .... .... is flakes ... LOL ... HA!
Thanks Colleen, ... I've been waiting ages to use that!!!
Speak for yourself Pappy. I may be little off kilter at times, but to be called flakey, well, that can't possibly be me. I do like nuts though -the crunchy kind Pappy- but not in my head. And as far as fruits go, well, I like mine fresh not dry like nuts. That didn't sound right, did it? No comments Pappy. My point exactly, Life has its moments and sobriety can be peaceful at times, but it's the transition process that troubles me more. Basically, the more sober I become the more awkward I feel...it's that simple. But it's not always a bad thing. Let's face it, I have no trouble with being crazy, heck, every one's been there at one time or another. The problem is...nobody's there to appreciate it. So I'll continue being me, and others, well, they need to turn up their intelligence level. Got that Pappy.
-- Edited by Mr_David on Friday 13th of July 2012 10:12:34 PM
Ok, so I've realized quite a few things about myself during the course of my 58 days of sobriety. Some of the things are positive:), many, however are not. Put simply, I'm a nut sometimes (well..maybe often lol). Here's an example..of course as one goes to more and more meetings, one tends to encounter the same faces. Went to a meeting tonight, and I recognized most of the women and a few of the men. I was running about 5 minutes late due to public transportation drama..but everyone greeted me with a smile:) with the exception of 2 women who are also members of my home group (they are a couple). The meetings great, and I'm chitchatting outside afterwards, and I'm receiving what I perceive to be dirty looks from this couple. Neither one of them ever say "hi" or smile at me any time I see them. Well, I just can't focus on anything else. Do they hate me? Have I done something to offend? I never speak during meetings so it can't be something I've said..on and on in my head I'm obsessing. Why the f do I care?? Really. Why. And then I realize that not only am I self-obsessed, but I'm also immature AND it's really not all about me. And, again, why do I care! So what if these chicks don't wanna be friends-everyone else is pleasant and friendly. I'm choosing to obsess over the 2 out of 40 that don't come over to greet me !!! I'm a total nut. Then I remember a girl I met in maybe my 2nd meeting who said to me "you think you might be nuts?! Honey, we're All completely nuts..that's probably why we're sitting in an aa meeting" hahaha
I look at it this way, ... If I wasn't nuts ... then I'm at the wrong place ...
AA groups are typically like a bowl of 'Granola' ... ... ... What ain't fruits and nuts ... ... ... wait for it .... .... .... is flakes ... LOL ... HA!
Thanks Colleen, ... I've been waiting ages to use that!!!
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'Those who leave everything in God's hand will eventually see God's hand in everything.'
I do like nuts though -the crunchy kind Pappy- but not in my head. And as far as fruits go, well, I like mine fresh not dry like nuts. That didn't sound right, did it? No comments Pappy.
So I'll continue being me, and others, well, they need to turn up their intelligence level. Got that Pappy.
-- Edited by Mr_David on Friday 13th of July 2012 10:12:34 PM
Dry Nuts??? .... Okay, I'll let that one pass ...
R.E. others needing to turn up their 'intelligence' level ??? ... ... ... Yep, that's kind of like our old TV ... It had a knob on it called 'Brightness', but it didn't work ...
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'Those who leave everything in God's hand will eventually see God's hand in everything.'
Just remember...what they think of you is none of your business....Alkies or not...I think we're all a little nuts...That's what makes us different....And interesting. Give time....Time. I found early on for me....That people I had nothing in common with or thought I'd never get along with...I ended up really liking after awhile....And became close friends with....Just keep being yourself...You nut!
R.E. others needing to turn up their 'intelligence' level ??? ... ... ... Yep, that's kind of like our old TV ... It had a knob on it called 'Brightness', but it didn't work ...
HaHaHaHa....okay Pappy you got me on that one. Have a great tomorrow.
Your post makes me think of an incident that happened in a meeting in the first couple of weeks of my sobriety. There was an elderly man who had been attending what has become my homegroup for quite a while. He was pleasant, well liked, respected, and in the beginning stages of dementia. He liked to read the promises at the end of the meeting, but on this particular day, he couldn't seem to remember how. Despite coaxing from the chair and others sitting around him, he just couldn't seem to remember what he wanted to do. After what seemed like forever,, but was only a couple of minutes, I'm sure, I got up, sat next to him, put my arm around his shoulder and told him I would help him, let's read the promises together. It felt like the right thing to do at the time, and though I could barely get those words out through my fear, I did it. Afterwards, I felt that I had done something wrong, that I had offended him or angered other members of the group. No one had said anything to me to that effect, it was all in my head. When I expressed this to another member of the group, saying that I hoped I hadn't made anyone mad, she told me two things. The first is that I cannot make anyone mad at me, they get that way themselves. The second is what Stepchild said, and I have heard many times since. What someone else thinks of me is none of my business. Those two things have saved me a lot of self imposed madness with the crazy committee that tries to take over my head, and will if I let it. So yeah, we can all be a bit nuts at times, let's just hope we're not all that way on the same day. Peace
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I asked God for all things that I may enjoy life. He gave me life so that I may enjoy all things.
I think 20% of the people in AA are gonna like ya, 20% won't, and 60%.won't give a dam either way. Most of them are too busy thinking about what other people are thinking about them anyway
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Since it cost a lot to win, and even more to loose, you and me gotta spend some time just wondering what to choose.
I never speak during meetings so it can't be something I've said..
Just curious, why don't you share at your meetings? Do you volunteer to read if it is a BB or ABSI meeting? Or, volunteer to read one of the readings at the beginning of the meetings?
I only ask because from what I've read here, you have a very refreshing spirit to add to the rooms! But everyone sets their own pace, so however you feel comfortable...
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~Relieve me of the bondage of self, that I may better do Thy will~
I never speak during meetings so it can't be something I've said..
One thing about attending meetings is that we are all in the same boat. It's 'hard' for most of us to share in the beginning. Maybe that's the 'problem'.
Thanks for all the feedback guys! And thanks Deborah for saying I have a "refreshing spirit"..best compliment I've gotten in a while:) . As to why I don't speak in meetings?? Huh well this is a question I've posed to myself (and my sponser) many times. I have no problem talking at lengths one on one or even amongst a couple of people that are in aa, or elsewhere for that matter. I talked to an old timer today prior to meeting for over an hour about drinking and sobriety. Hell, I have 2 waitressing jobs.. I'm friendly with people for a living! For some reason, which I'm soul searching to discern...I clam up at aa meetings. I know I'm in the right place, but I just feel tense and anxious. I clam up..I dunno if it's the public speaking in front of large groups (TERRIFIES me.. I once wrote a 200 page paper in exchange for not having to make a 10 minute speech in a class in college...seriously). This is a fear I've had all my life, and I'd love to tackle it and overcome, but I just can't seem to YET:)
We have a couple of people in our group been sober years ... they share in meetings maybe once twice a year ... they've always been that way ... they talk up a storm before and after the meetings, just not in them ... Doesn't bother me at all ... to each their own ...
But I like what Stepchild had to say ... and I practice this most of the time ... I say a little prayer before the meeting, sometimes as 'How It Works' is being read, asking God that if I'm given the opportunity to share, that the words that come out of my mouth be such that they will be what someone else needs to hear ... that those words be from His spirit and make a difference to others ...
God Bless, Pappy
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'Those who leave everything in God's hand will eventually see God's hand in everything.'
Interesting story you share, it's great that you are realizing the crazy places our heads can send us, and the need to put things in perspective. I think most people who are put in our path are there to teach us something. It might be love and tolerance or it might how we shouldn't act or maybe how we should act.
Chances are these ladies will warm up to you...maybe after 90 days...until then they have taught you how not to treat a new person and that you should not focus on the unusual behavior of a couple people..
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Rob
"There ain't no Coupe DeVille hiding in the bottom of a Cracker Jack Box."
Peace
