I heard something at a meeting this morning that I don't know that I've "heard" before. A guy mentioned that sometimes we hold issues/resentments/problems/inner struggles inside and don't share them soon enough. It also takes sharing something with another alcoholic for us to realize, "that wasn't so bad. I should have shared that a long time ago." Ultimately when we hold these things that could be hurting us in, we are acting selfishly because we aren't allowing another alocoholic to help us and "work their program".
This was a great point because I know sometimes I might not want to bother someone else with something "small" but that's what we alcoholics do. We're hear to help, listen and share our experience, strength, and hope with each other!
Stay Grateful Friends!
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Willingness without action is fantasy!
Say what you mean. Mean what you say. But don't say it mean.
It's all about keeping up with our inventories ... re-read page 89 in the 12X12 ...
'Although all inventories are alike in principle, the time factor does distinguish one from another. There's the spot check inventory, taken at any time of the day, whenever we find ourselves getting tangled up. There's the one we take at day's end, when we review the happenings of the hours just past. Here we cast up a balance sheet, crediting ourselves with things well done, and chalking up debits where due. Then there are those occasions when alone, or in the company of our sponsor or spiritual adviser, we make a careful review of our progress since the last time.' ...
The point here is we should do a daily 'house cleaning' in addition to our annual or semi-annual ones ...
Pappy
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'Those who leave everything in God's hand will eventually see God's hand in everything.'
It is not an uncommon thing for the newcomer to hear that they should just listen for a while when they first come to the rooms. And in some situations, this really makes a lot of sense.
In my case, I definitely needed to learn how to listen and God was good enough to point that out to me before others had to. He uses a woman I sponsor to point this out to me, as well. I watch her and I see the same busyness and the same verbal activity that, at one time prevented me from enjoying the sunlight of the spirit. I needed and still need,at times, to just slow down and be and forget that I know it all so somebody can teach me something.
But it is true every time that sharing my struggle will invariably help another alcoholic. Whether it reminds them of something they have already grown through or something they want to aspire to, the bottom line of what I am sharing is life on its own terms. AA has taught me to thank God for the gift of life.
If you're new, do take some time to listen, but for all of us, let us know who you are and what's going on in you'd world. No one should ever leave a meeting with the world on their shoulders when they've got a room full of folks waiting to share it with them.
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"And we have ceased fighting anything or anyone-even alcohol. For by this time sanity will have returned."
Alcoholics Anonymous, Page 84
An addict is WHAT I am but it does not define all of WHO I am.
I've heard it expressed as "the arrogance of self-pity", just another way of saying I am still powerful, by virtue of holding on to that which I should not hold on to.
Feels good to know sharing this today has maybe helped a few! Thanks for the replys. Hope you all have a night, or day, depending on where you're living!
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Willingness without action is fantasy!
Say what you mean. Mean what you say. But don't say it mean.
