Sponsorship, means a great deal to me from either way you are looking at it.

My first sponsor in this program was very instrumental in me understanding & grasping the concepts of the Al-Anon program.  She helped me through many a crisis and still holds a very special place in my heart.  But as we all know - life changes & she went through many changes in her personal life - job, home life, & relationship - she does not attend meetings any more - so about a year ago I decided to get another sponsor, one that was more active in the program - guess what?   The last nine months, she has gone through some tough times and hasn't been able to work with me as original planned.  I still believe in the concept of a sponsor - wish my had more time to work with me on a f2f basis, But hey that's ok - It will happen when it is suppose to, Right?

Now, I have a few ladies that I have the privilege of being their sponsor.  And yes, I consider it a HUGE privilege.  Some f2f & some on-line.  The spiritual growth, maturity, and fellowship that I have gotten from these relationships far outweights anything I have been able to give these wonderful ladies.  Being a sponsor is a relationship that I have to apply my program as much as I have to apply the program in my relationships with the A's in my life.  I have a responsibility to help, encourage, listen, console, give healthy compassion, but I can not enable, patronize, or do the work for them.  I can be a friend to that person, but not be their ONLY friend.  It is not my responsibility to save them, but to help them find that strength that lives with them - to help them seek the guidance of their HP to learn to walk their own path of recovery.   

I think sponsorship can be another one of the wonderful tools of the program that aid our recovery.  Either by having and/or being a sponsor.

Awesome Topic -

Thanks for posting it.

Rita