SoberRecovery : Alcoholism Drug Addiction Help and Information - View Single Post - Attended Outside Area Mtg--no Traditions

Missybuns · 06-26-2009, 04:24 PM

Me and one of my gal-pal friends in recovery had a desire to travel north 50 miles or so to an Indianpolis meeting. This is outside our south central area.

We have a fairly small area attendance, although it is growing!

After having a nice Father's day celebration last Sunday with my Dad, family and extended family, my gal-pal and I headed north to go to a meeting we had never been to.

There were 6 to choose from. We chose one formatted to have a speaker for the first 20 minutes then open up for discussion.

The secretary handed out readings to several...I was willing and so was my gal-pal. We did notice they did not select all 7 of the readings. I have seen this before and understand it to be a time saver. However, I was very suprised and somewhat disappointed one of the readings that was left out was the 12 Traditions. Ok...now I realize this disappointment has to do with the expectation of the Traditions being read. I took offense to it. There were 50 people in this meeting and the traditions were not even mentioned!

I do know there was a first time attendee also, they introduced themselves.

When it came time for burning desires I should have spoke up and didn't.

I discussed it with my sponsor and I had a feeling she would ask "did you say something?".....no I didn't. Now I have a case of the "shouldas" so I'm shouldin' all over myself and thought I'd share about it here.

When I thought back to how I was feeling, it occurred to me I didn't want to stir the pot. I reasoned I was a "visitor" at this meeting. I was from an outside area...and I do not know if this is a regular thing at this meeting...then I realized I was stepping into the "blah-blah-blah" justifying zone.

So here is what I learned from this experience:

I am a member of NA no matter where I go. I understand the importance of the 12 Traditions to our fellowship. If I ever attend a meeting that makes no mention of the fact NA has traditions...I will certainly make mention that NA has 12 Traditions that keep our fellowship alive and free. I will pull out my basic text and read the Twelve Traditions.

Peace,
Missy

06-26-2009, 04:24 PM	#1 (permalink)
Missybuns Member Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Indiana Posts: 673	Attended Outside Area Mtg--no Traditions Me and one of my gal-pal friends in recovery had a desire to travel north 50 miles or so to an Indianpolis meeting. This is outside our south central area. We have a fairly small area attendance, although it is growing! After having a nice Father's day celebration last Sunday with my Dad, family and extended family, my gal-pal and I headed north to go to a meeting we had never been to. There were 6 to choose from. We chose one formatted to have a speaker for the first 20 minutes then open up for discussion. The secretary handed out readings to several...I was willing and so was my gal-pal. We did notice they did not select all 7 of the readings. I have seen this before and understand it to be a time saver. However, I was very suprised and somewhat disappointed one of the readings that was left out was the 12 Traditions. Ok...now I realize this disappointment has to do with the expectation of the Traditions being read. I took offense to it. There were 50 people in this meeting and the traditions were not even mentioned! I do know there was a first time attendee also, they introduced themselves. When it came time for burning desires I should have spoke up and didn't. I discussed it with my sponsor and I had a feeling she would ask "did you say something?".....no I didn't. Now I have a case of the "shouldas" so I'm shouldin' all over myself and thought I'd share about it here. When I thought back to how I was feeling, it occurred to me I didn't want to stir the pot. I reasoned I was a "visitor" at this meeting. I was from an outside area...and I do not know if this is a regular thing at this meeting...then I realized I was stepping into the "blah-blah-blah" justifying zone. So here is what I learned from this experience: I am a member of NA no matter where I go. I understand the importance of the 12 Traditions to our fellowship. If I ever attend a meeting that makes no mention of the fact NA has traditions...I will certainly make mention that NA has 12 Traditions that keep our fellowship alive and free. I will pull out my basic text and read the Twelve Traditions. Peace, Missy