The material presented
here is not Al-Anon Conference Approved Literature. It is a method
to exchange
information, ideas, feelings, problems and solutions on a personal
level.
I went to my second F2F meeting and learned two things.
No crosstalk means we just sit and listen if somebody else is commenting, and we don't comment on the comment. Even if the other is suffering and we might have something to say that could help. Maybe that is what the sponsor is for. They were gentle with me, though. This will be a real opportunity for me to learn to Let Go, or Shut the Heck Up or whatever.
I asked a lovely, serene lady if she would sponsor me. She would be so good for me, I can tell, because she is sharp and disciplined. And she said to work step one and we will see. And being a sponsor here is lots more labor intensive than in the meetings I attended years ago--here, sponsoring is done Face to Face. Before, it was just "call me" and I didn't call very often, because I didn't want to be a bother. I know that isn't exactly sanity--it is one of my issues.
Thanks to everyone here who said, over and over: Go to meetings, get a sponsor, work the steps.
__________________
It's easy to be graceful until someone steals your cornbread. --Gray Charles
No crosstalk means we just sit and listen if somebody else is commenting, and we don't comment on the comment. Even if the other is suffering and we might have something to say that could help. Maybe that is what the sponsor is for.
I asked a lovely, serene lady if she would sponsor me. She would be so good for me, I can tell, because she is sharp and disciplined. And she said to work step one and we will see. Thanks to everyone here who said, over and over: Go to meetings, get a sponsor, work the steps.
((((Temple)))) good for you...I am happy you are progressing in your recovery
and YES...sponsor, meets, steps, LOL....sounds like something I would say, LOL.......I am happy you found sponsor, when i got my sponsors, i took it easy until i knew they were safe to work with........HUGS
Yay Temple...already keeping an open mind. Took me longer than two meetings!! No Cross talk...I love it!! It works for me because I am just the opposite and like your potential sponsor have had to learn that freedom comes from discipline. When the meeting is over that is when we cross talk like crazy still I have to stay humble "teachable" because I am not a "Higher Power" ever and the best way to support is listening and not blabbling.
I agree with face to face sponsorship also. It is what has worked best for me more attached than detached.
Just so you will know, that wasn't a "Baby Step"you took today. It was a "Giant Step". Recovery is a wonderful journey when you have this program. Recovery with this program is a little like jumping on to a moving train. Your scared at first, but once you take a seat, get comfortable, and trust the direction the train is carrying you, you can sit back and enjoy the ride. There will be many bumps along the way, and it might jump the tracks every now and then, but isn't in nice to know we now have the tools of this program to put it back on the tracks.
HUGS, RLC
-- Edited by RLC on Thursday 25th of June 2009 04:20:57 PM
I am so blessed. Rosie, when you told me to get a workbook, do you remember that I said, "There are workbooks?" BTW folks, remember I made three stabs at Alanon decades ago, so some things I have heard before. (No crosstalk would have been a blessing for me when I was new and raw, but I never did hear that.) I don't like to order things online, and today the meeting was back in the regular room and there were materials. They don't have workbooks (except for 4th step), but my potential sponsor (how long can she resist?) suggested I get Paths to Recovery, and make my own workbook with the questions in there. So, I read the material up to the First Step, read what it said, and wrote for pages and pages on the first two questions. I am going to have to pace myself! that is wonderful. I have already gained so many insights. I told DDH, I can look at Step 1 from here on out and nothing happens, but with the questions, it is a whole different thing. I told him this isn't about him; it's about me. He said he knows, and he can see a difference already. Really? Yes, because he is being treated better, he said. Do you think it could possibly be that I have been a little hard to live with myownself? I can hear all of you laughing from here. So thank you all so much for your responses. Thank you Jerry for the insight. And yes, Rosie, you were the first one I noticed hammering away on the Gospel. And thanks for telling me "Workbook." I hope like crazy I am not Bi-Polar, because I am really, really buzzed. I guess we may know if I crash and burn. (((((((((MIP Group)))))))))
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It's easy to be graceful until someone steals your cornbread. --Gray Charles
