Chaired a meeting yesterday

Recovery
#1

Why do I spend so much time thinking about what I’m going to say and building up confidence to speak only to have my mind go blank? Well I still spoke my truth but it was definitely not the story I had thought of all day!!! :stuck_out_tongue_closed_eyes: before the meeting I did ask God to remove any fear, self and asked God to make me a channel to speak the truth, to carry the message to those who are still suffering.

Then after the meeting I received a lot of positive feedback. However my first thought is their lying! They are just being nice. I definitely see my character defect’s coming to the surface…. Time to practice meditation and prayer.

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#3

My EGO is never happy. Not for me to know

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#4

Maybe make some notes and an outline and just follow it? I'm chairing in November and I plan to do the same.

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#5

That has totally happened to me as well early on in sobriety. I’m definitely trying to be more present in meetings and hearing what others are saying. It’s tough to get out of my own way sometimes….

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#6

Exactly! Dam ego! I’m learning to just be. This time I didn’t open my share with “I’m really nervous” I just started speaking my truth.
Looks like I need to practice putting my Ego aside…. :laughing:

#7

I thought about doing that. I asked a few people in the program and they said it’s not a bad idea. Some say to just speak from the heart.
I’ve only chaired a few times and I’m learning to be quick on the what it was like and more on what happened and what I’m like now.

#8

Love this, awesome stuff brother :100::fire::metal:

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#9

Thank you Brother!

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#10

Good job telling your truth, it sounds like it resonated with others — we never know what others are going through and when you let your light shine, it does wonders :sparkles:

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#11

Thank you Maegen!

#12

It sounds like you didn't chair but rather told your story. I can relate to that. When we are asked to tell our story, especially for the first time, we usually tell three stories that day. The one on the way to the meeting the one at the meeting and the one on the way home from the meeting.
LOL

After a while I don't even think about it anymore. When it's time for me to start talking somehow or another it all starts coming out and it's never the same twice

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#13

Exactly what happened my friend! It’s rather interesting how it works like that….
I’ll be sharing again in a month or for Bridging the Gap
Which is a part of AA that goes into treatment facility to help those who are getting out and don’t know what to do next… I’m excited for this new addition to my sobriety experience

#14

That is great Kevin! Don't hear about many people on this app doing what you're doing. It tells us in the Big Book Chapter 7

WORKING WITH OTHERS

Practical experience shows that nothing will so much insure immunity from drinking as intensive work with other alcoholics. It works when other activities fail. This is our twelfth suggestion: Carry this message to other alcoholics!

I get the part too about asking for God's guidance because I can manufacture some magnificent lies that I think will make me popular with the audience. LOL

HONESTY comes through everytime when sharing our experience, strength and hope for sure.

Keep doing what you're doing. You are a beacon for others in recovery.

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#15

I just read that chapter with another Sponsee last Wednesday! Love that chapter! Lots of great info in there..
thank you for the kind words

#16

Have you ever read the 12 & 12?
The Big Book outlines the solution in a general sense but the 12 & 12 really breaks each step down. Definitely a good read.

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#17

I’m on step 7 in the 12 and 12 with my Sponsor.
To me the solution is in the big book. The 12x12 gives us an overview 18 years after the big book was released. The growing pains of AA. I hear that some people only use the 12x12 to do the steps, I don’t see how that possible? I believe the 12x12 is there for us to become better AA members and sponsors. It’s definitely helped me in that way.

#18

It sounds like you have a good sponsor.

I was a chronic relapser for many years. Court ordered in 1990, my story is not a textbook recovery. I've been in 17 treatment centers. Yes, you read that right. Countless detox centers, not to mention jail cells. December 11th of 2002 I began my journey of almost 9 years during which time I sponsored people and was the most active person you had ever seen.

Went to several meetings a day for months. Had a great sponsor and went through the steps in the big book and the 12 and 12 together. Then that day came in 2011 where I relapsed. What a mistake!

This is why in my comments you will commonly hear me talking to the struggling newcomer about "believing the LIE." I will never forget that day that I believed the lie.

You're right. The solution is in th Big Book.

Rarely have we seen a person fail who has thoroughly followed our path.

See you out there Kevin

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#19

Thank you for sharing this with us!
I too had believed the lie. I was 3 years sober but not working any program. I didn’t know of any at that time. One day my friend and I were playing golf and he asked if it was ok for him to have a beer, I said yeah you do you. I’m sober is what I told him. Then that thought came to mind! I’m almost three years sober! I’m an adult! I’ll just have one! Only when I golf!
6 years later and my life is upside down! Dam near lost everything.

My sponsor is awesome! He is a real alcoholic who has recovered. And his sponsor is the same and we all talk regularly

#20

Only when I golf...??
Too funny
I don't think that one's on page 31. LOL

#21

:joy: the first time I read that in the big book I knew I was an alcoholic. Bill’s story rings true to my story. We had a lot of similarities.

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