I attend a sunday night discussion meeting that has a monthly speaker meeting and i have been invited to tell my story. How many of you have done this and any advice you can offer. I am excited and nervous.
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Obsession with self in these matters is a dead end; attention to God leads us out into the open, into a spacious, free life. Romans 8:6 , The Message
My first time doing a speaker meeting got me a little nervous too ... they even had a backup speaker in case I chickened out at the last moment ... LOL ... After I introduced myself I read off about ten "if you have ever 'done this', you might be an alcoholic" jokes that I made up ... that put them and me at ease and the rest was simply like a long turn at sharing at a meeting ... felt good to share my story ... also before going into the meeting, I said a prayer asking God to let the words from my mouth be something that others needed to hear ... with that, I felt confident that God would make it so and that gave me relief to be me ...
Good luck, I know you'll do well, Pappy
P.S. If you want the list of 'You might be an alcoholic' jokes I used, I think I still have them and can list them here if you like ...
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'Those who leave everything in God's hand will eventually see God's hand in everything.'
Congrats on the opportunity. I've told my story many times. 'Our stories disclose in a general way, what is was like, what happened and what it's like now'.
My suggestion, don't write it all out and read it. Nothing more than one note card with key points to keep you on track. It's good to qualify and talk about your life, and the changes. Of course everyone knows how to drink, so I try to spend at least 1/3 of the time talking about the steps, my program and what I do to stay sober.
I was taught it's not about entertaining people and being a ham, they told me to stay humble and remember we are there to help others stay sober.
Good luck!
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Rob
"There ain't no Coupe DeVille hiding in the bottom of a Cracker Jack Box."
Speaker meetings are great, if you're the bystander. As the speaker though, well, it can be a little nerve wracking. My suggestion, just be yourself. We're not here to impress anyone, just to tell our story, that's all. So stick with the basics, okay. It's the message their more concerned about, not just the messenger.
I was scared out of my socks the first time I spoke at a speakers meeting. I followed by sponsor's advice of saying the Serenity Prayer to myself, the shared what is was
Like, what happened, and what it's like now.
Here you go Bryan ... of course they can be added to or changed to fit your story ...
You Might Be An Alcoholic
1. If you have ever driven from one state to another, and you cannot remember driving there or have to stop and ask what state youre in and how do I get back to Georgia, then.Y M B A A
2. If your spouse is home when you wake up, and you have no memory of picking her up from the airport.Y M B A A
3. If youre driving home and you look down at the speedometer and youre doing 25 MPH in a 55 MPH zone..Y M B A A
4. If youve ever awakened to the loud sound of an angry wild animal to find out that everythings quiet, except for your own screaming.. Y M B A A
5. If youve ever awakened to find the plate glass on the coffee table shattered and bruises on your body and wondered, who beat the shit out of you, and trashed your house while you sleptY M B A A
6. If you have ever hid your alcohol where the spouse couldnt find it, and then couldnt remember where you put itY M B A A
7. If you have ever told the police officer, her machine couldnt be working, because you knew that .(point)38 meant youre dead.Y M B A A
8. If youve ever awakened to find you have a 6 6, 350lb. Indian under your bunk and steel bars around you..Y M B A A (when he says, 1 more fart out of you, and Im gonna plug your ass with your head, you have to wonder if you might drink just a little much?)
9. If youve ever had the urge to do some work, and then said to yourself, I think Ill have another beer to see if the urge will passY M B A A
10. If youve ever had a brilliant idea while drinking, and followed through with it, only to find that your now missing the end of your finger. Y M B A A
11. If you know the Liquor store owner, his son, and his twin Granddaughters, and he has your 2 cases of favorite beer ready before you get in the store, and says Ill see you day after tomorrow. Y M B A A
12. If youve ever had to fart, and were afraid to, because of the fear of following through with something besides gasY M B A A
13. If youve ever woken up and dont know what day it is or what time it is and cant even remember the last time you took a bath YMBAA
14. If you call-in sick nearly every Monday cause you feel like death warmed over.YMBAA
15. If you have to have a shot of whiskey or a beer after your morning coffee just to function.YMBAA
These are just a few of the insane things I did that finally convinced me that I MIGHT HAVE A PROBLEM WITH HOW MUCH I DRINK!!!
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'Those who leave everything in God's hand will eventually see God's hand in everything.'
Just so you know odat, ... the jokes above WAS what it was like for me ... LOL and they serve the purpose of helping 'calm' one's nerves when you're the speaker at a speaker meeting ...
Just wanted to clarify that point ... no, we don't need to be comedians, but when the group laughs, I feel at peace ... and happiness is a by-product of this approach too ... to me, it makes sobriety fun ...
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'Those who leave everything in God's hand will eventually see God's hand in everything.'
