There is a 'gentleman' I work with who has caused me a lot of grief. He is 'in and out' of AA..he preaches to all of his coworkers about drinking and AA to the point where it's a bit obnoxious- then he shows up to work drunk. This has happened several times. He has sexually harrassed me, spread rumors about me, spoke to my superiors about my drinking problem- I just have no patience for this man. At one point, we were friends..this friendship has completely disintigrated due to his inappropriate behavior. Here's the thing.. As I study the big book, I realize many of the things he said to me during our friendship (when I was in the midst of active alcoholism) are direct quotes from the book, which i was unaware of at the time. He also told me that " once someone plants the seed of AA in your brain, it'll never leave". He was absolutely right. It was about the time that he was planting these, at the time, new ideas in my head that I really tried to 'control' my drinking -and I realized I was utterly defeated. This man, whom I can longer communicate with, is a large part of the reason why I'm sober today. He still suffers, and I cannot help him because he can't handle being friends only, and has caused a lot of issues for me at my workplace. He creeps into my prayers every night. I first thank God for putting this person in my life, then ask God to help this strange, ill messenger. God works in mysterious ways, huh?
A friend of mine who intervened in my drinking and was partly responsible for my recovery, later got me fired from my job. I was 5 years sober by that time, and I left that office without a spot of resentment for anybody. Nevertheless, I never forgot the prayer he prayed for me and all the care took of me when I was drinking. I prayed for him, and over the years we became very good friends again. I have learned that people are essentially not evil, but their deeds are and my sponsors in AA helped me to separate them. Today, God has pointed to me other things to amend. I have found that if at all possible from my side, to have the best possible relationship with every human being. I might not have fellowship yet, but I can certainly intercede for them in prayer.
Just because this gentleman helped you in recovery doesn't mean you have to tolerate sexual and verbal harassment at work. The work place is the workplace where there should be zero tolerance for any inappropriate behavior. Any type of workplace harrassment or violence needs to be reported Human Resources.
He still suffers, and I cannot help him because he can't handle being friends only, and has caused a lot of issues for me at my workplace. He creeps into my prayers every night. I first thank God for putting this person in my life, then ask God to help this strange, ill messenger. God works in mysterious ways, huh?
Just stay sober and you will be helping him. I have a special place in my heart for the people who knew the book and could teach it, but couldn't stay sober and some died of this disease. The truth is still the truth, even if it comes from the lips of a drunk or bullshitter.
A cronic relapser, who now finally is sober 13 years said, "I was always nice to the people picking up white chips, I always figured I might have to ask them to be my sponsor someday".
__________________
Rob
"There ain't no Coupe DeVille hiding in the bottom of a Cracker Jack Box."
