Cool....The first time I spoke was at 9 months sober...In front of about 150 people. Never did that before. I didn't think about what I was going to say for the week before I did it....And as I sat in the car outside the Church hall where the meeting was held....I simply prayed....God....Let my words come from you. It went well....Or so people told me. Knock em out Pinkchip!
-- Edited by Stepchild on Friday 20th of September 2013 02:06:06 PM
HP has a funny way of presenting opportunities. I reconnected with an old friend on facebook messaging. Someone who I counted days with in the first year and we have drifted some since our meetings don't over lap now. He asked me to speak at a meeting next Friday night. The meeting has moved sites but I thought about it and recognized the time and the name of the meeting. It was the first AA meeting I ever went to Friday night almost exactly 5 years ago. I will be speaking there just 4 days before my 5th anniversary. Crazy but cool. I was already doing the "What was it like, what happened, and what it's like now" thing in my mind as is usual around anniversary time...not squirrely, but introspective....but now am really thinking about it. I also know not to obsess over speaking. Say a prayer and let it rip. I do group in front of 30 addicts every single day, sometimes multiple times a day... Sharing my ESH at the same meeting I stumbled into a crying hot mess - now 5 years later is different though. Not unnerving but meaningful.
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Keep coming back. It works if you work it. So work it. You're worth it!
Beautiful Mark. I never been much on coincidences.....Thanx for continued message of HOPE and how WE give away what was so freely given to us..........WE are visions of HOPE, examples that the Program works, and our joy in living free in recovery is an attraction to those still suffering.....In spirit and support.......
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Selfishness-self-centeredness! That, we think, is the root of our troubles.
Congrats on the speaking engagement Mark ... ... ... my first time was at about the 3 year mark ... I did the same exact thing Stepchild did, I prayed that the words come from God as the inspiration led me to do ... and I was told it was good ... of course who's goin' ta come up and say you screwed up ??? ... although, we do have a few old timers quick to point out when a person goes a little awry, LOL ... ... ...
Thanks for sharing this Mark, you'll do well ... I really wish I could be there ... (and I remember my 5 year mark too, it WAS pretty awesome ...)
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'Those who leave everything in God's hand will eventually see God's hand in everything.'
.....Thanx for continued message of HOPE and how WE give away what was so freely given to us..........WE are visions of HOPE, examples that the Program works, and our joy in living free in recovery is an attraction to those still suffering.....In spirit and support.......