This probably comes form a "strange mental blank spot" but I was thinking that the Big Book doesn't (and I stand to be corrected) place any importance on being sponsored, but does place great importance on being a sponsor (Into Action, A Vision for You).
"Thus we grow. And so can you, though you be but
one man with this book in your hand. We believe and hope it contains all you will need to begin.
We know what you are thinking. You are saying to yourself: "I'm jittery and alone. I couldn't do that." But you can. You forget that you have just now tapped a source of power much greater than yourself. To duplicate, with such backing, what we have accomplished is only a matter of willingness, patience and labor.
We know of an A.A. member who was living in a large community. He had lived there but a few weeks when he found that the place probably contained more alcoholics per square mile than any city in the country. This was only a few days ago at this writing. (1939) The authorities were much concerned. He got in touch with a prominent psychiatrist who had undertaken certain responsibilities for the mental health of the community. The doctor proved to be able and exceedingly anxious to adopt any workable method of handling the situation. So he inquired, what did our friend have on the ball?
Our friend proceeded to tell him. And with such good effect that the doctor agreed to a test among his patients and certain other alcoholics from a clinic which he attends. Arrangements were also made with the chief psychiatrist of a large public hospital to select still others from the stream of misery which flows through that institution.
So our fellow worker will soon have friends galore."
It seems, not just in Bill's case, but in many others, AA groups were started by a single alcoholic looking for and carrying the message of hope, found in the Big Book, to another alcoholic, and when he found two or three, they had a group.
Learned friends welcome to comment and enlarge on the theme.
Yup. There is some discussion about working with a sponsor in the 12 and 12, but the text in the Big Book seems to have been based on the assumption that the reader had probably not come into contact with other members of the fellowship yet, and would probably have to do what Bill and Bob had done to build a fellowship around themselves.
Interesting post there Mike, ... ... ... I think the primary message the BB gives to us as we come to know how to live sober, is that our primary goal once our recovery takes shape, should be that of 'carrying the message to the still suffering alcoholic' ... ... ... and I think with the infancy of the program at the time, focus was given to help us take action to ensure our own sobriety by helping other alcoholics recover ... because that's exactly what Bill and Dr. Bob discovered ...
So sponsoring another alcoholic, or in other words, guiding another alcoholic through the steps of recovery, is key to our own long term recovery ... as far as being a sponsee, well, I think more was revealed here in the years to follow the BB ... the BB laid the groundwork and the steps & traditions keep the whole recovery thingy alive ... ... ...
It's late and I'm not sure this is the feedback you were looking for ... my brain is thinking BED & SLEEP (after my milk and cookies) so I'm not quite on top of things right this minute ... Am I making any sense ??? ... Sorry, goodnight all!!!
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'Those who leave everything in God's hand will eventually see God's hand in everything.'
