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iowama
New Member
68 Posts |
 Posted - 11/21/2007 : 20:49:38
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.......Sponsorship.
Okay....it's not the sole thing that's kept me in A.A. but I'm pretty convinced (that once upon a time) it was the ONLY thing that kept me showing up around the tables. I had someone I was accountable to....someone who cared more about my life than they did about my fragile little alcoholic feelings. Someone who was willing, time and time again, to walk through the Book and the Steps with me. Someone who walked the walk and wanted to give me every opportunity to walk it with them.
I'm a bit edgy, today.
The fella who agreed to act as my sponsor some 16 years ago--is in the process of moving.
ONE MORE TIME--I'm in the market for a sponsor.
This is where I start whining and carrying on.....
.....but I don't WANNA HAFFTA find another sponsor....
*sigh* Seems like I just got this one trained. LOL
Honestly, I've been graced a thousand fold when it's come to sponsorship.
My first sponsor I had for 10 years.
And then I had three fellas pick me up for five years when the first sponsor was called home to G-d.
And then came this fella......after near a year of 'sponsorshiplessness'.
I know how to find one.
I know what's worked for me for a whole lotta 24 hours.
I just don't wanna HAFFTA go sponsor shopping again.
Sucks to be me? LOL
My apologies to the group. There was no 'whining' section designated so I chose to do it here.
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~~~True ambition is the deep desire to live usefully and walk humbly under the grace of G-d.~~~ |
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Ali D
Starting Member
14 Posts |
Posted - 11/24/2007 : 11:41:38
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I have to agree, sponsorship kept me in AA. I was accountable to someone for the first time in my life, I was terified if i didn't go to the meetings I wouldn't have a sponsor, If i didn't read the big book I wouldn't have a sponsor.
I had someone who loved me and I couldn't understand why, I was going to find out why or die trying lol.
I have said it before and I believe it with every fiber of my soul.
God led me to my sponsor and my sponsor led me to God.
I thank God everyday for the path he led me down and the blessings I have in my life.
Hope to get in the Chat room soon
Love and Hugs to all
Ali D
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splitfrog
Starting Member
USA
14 Posts |
 Posted - 11/26/2007 : 19:35:06
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| I read what you are writing and wonder if you are still sober for self or other things. When I came to AA I did it because I came out of a black-out with my son before me crying and saying (Please don't hit me again DAD). After I was sober awhile my wife kept saying make sure you are sober for yourself. I wondered what she was talking about. She was always telling me that, stay sober for self. On the 4th of July 1993. She died and I found out what she was talking about. Self is the most important person n the world. I stay sober for self and have since before Belinda died. L.P. understands what I am talking about. If I had stayed sober for Belinda I would have gotten drunk the day she died. If you had stayed sober for Gary, you would have gotten drunk the day he shot himself. We start out getting sober for our family and friends , but we stay sober for self after awhile Love Lewie |
WE ARE NOT HUMAN BEINGS GOING THROUGH A TEMPORARY SPIRITUAL EXPERIENCE.
WE ARE SPIRITUAL BEINGS GOING THROUGH A TEMPORARY HUMAN EXPERIENCE
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iowama
New Member
68 Posts |
Posted - 12/02/2007 : 12:44:39
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Ya know, Lewie, I think I get things bassackwards all the time. LOL That would just seem to be a fact of my existence.
People tell me "You can't really love other people until you love yourself" and I have to disagree with 'em. (perhaps it's cuz I'm just the disagreeable sort! LOL)
I didn't have a clue how to go about loving myself so I practiced loving others and got educated on what 'loving' is really about---which I had all bassackwards, too!
I didn't know I wanted A.A. people in my life, didn't recognize I needed 'em, didn't wanna show up for meetings, didn't wanna give a tinker's darn about anything else BUT me and getting what *I* wanted (which wasn't 'good for me', of course).
I can't say that I stayed sober 'for' anyone when I first showed up.
Starting out, I gotta wonder if I stayed sober cuz The Big Guy made arrangements for me to have a kick-*ss sponsor who got in my way over and over and over again.
I'm not certain, even today, that I'm staying sober purely for me.
G-d......other people.......me......they're all smooshed in there together.
Nothing in my life is all about MEMEME anymore.
And I'm thinkin' the Big Guy probably made that one happen for me for a reason.
*hugs and peace-filled thoughts to you and yours*
Ain't life cool!? |
~~~True ambition is the deep desire to live usefully and walk humbly under the grace of G-d.~~~ |
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Ron
Junior Member
129 Posts |
Posted - 12/03/2007 : 18:21:47
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Yea know if I was smart, which I am not, would pass on this post. I don't have a sponsor, don't want a sponsor, and I don't sponsor. When I was first sober I tried a couple times. The ones I picked had about 5 years in each. After I got to know them some I realized I was better off with out them. The old fart that did the most to help me was a guy by the name of Rocky. Now Rocky sponsored a lot of people so I asked him to be my sponsor. His response was, NO. Man did that smart. When I would tell other members that I couldn't find anyone I wanted they would say, Well ask Rocky. :-( I was working construction at the time and God only knew where I was going to next so it was harder yet to find one. If I was a hundred miles away and needed someone didn't want to wait till the next day or days or whatever. I made up my mind that my sponsor was going to be who ever was in front of me at the given moment. I still learn from everyone. Old Rocky and I still have a love/hate relationship. Although now that he is in his mid 80's he is a lot more mellow. At AA they have nicknamed me Mr Focker. It appears as though maybe I am replacing the old fart that helped me the most haha. Well. What goes around comes around. One can only give away what one has. Although after the first two attemps I have never had a traditional sponsor. I have learned a lot from some of the old farts in the program. People like Rocky, ( and oh how I hate to admit this in public) Morey and others. I learn from the new ones to. Heck I am so hopeless I learn something from everyone. Although I refuse to be a tradtional sponsor. And when someone aske me I tell them no. I also tell them that I will do whatever I can for them and they can call me anytime they need to. I am not against sponsor ship and don't mean to make people think I am. And glad for those that it works for. If it where not for people in the program that where more than willing to give it to me I would not of made it. One of my goals in life is to get even with old Rocky for all that he has done for me and still does for me. At the moment I am about 20+ years behind schedule but still working on it. Even if the old fart would not sponsor me. He did save my life.
Merry Christmas to you all yal.
Ron |
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Woody
Administrator
USA
304 Posts |
Posted - 12/03/2007 : 20:12:18
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| What keeps me sober is the knowledge that if I go down the path of using drugs and drinking, I will most likely die, go to jail, or end up in an institution. I don't want to give up my sobriety for any reason. Since we just recently moved, I can't even find a decent meeting to go to, much less find a sponsor. I still talk regularly to my old sponsor and a few good friends that I made in the program in San Diego. Between that and this site, I'm doin just fine. Now if I could only quit smoking, everything would be hunky-dory. |
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huuman78
Starting Member
4 Posts |
 Posted - 12/10/2007 : 21:48:01
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So as I sit here and read the writings of some of the people that I have read before I can't help but hear the overtones of the same words I read 10 years ago on AEB! I have to say that it is kind of funny to see that "the more things change, the more they stay the same" to use a Led Zeppelin quote!
As for the topic of "Sponsorship" all I know is that it works. It works for the newcomer that needs someone to guide and tell them that the ideas they have today won't be the same ideas they have tomorrow. Take it from someone who knows how not to stay sober. I lived my life with all of the answers and it was gonna kill me! I needed the voices of all of the AA's that told me to keep coming back. There is always someone who can answer your questions and if you choose to call that person a sponsor than so be it!!!
That's right Hugh is back, BABY!!! |
HughT |
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iowama
New Member
68 Posts |
Posted - 12/15/2007 : 18:31:49
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((((((((((Hugh)))))))))))
Gosh.....it's really good to see ya...... :-) |
~~~True ambition is the deep desire to live usefully and walk humbly under the grace of G-d.~~~ |
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What's KEPT me in A.A........sorta.......
