Working with Others

[Rowan]

Yet again, I have been given the opportunity to work with another alcoholic.

A member in a meeting this afternoon shared about the peaks and valleys that have shaped his life in recovery. He shared about a difficult experience he recently went through, and how deep in the valley he was at the time. And yet, he persevered with his recovery work, and he is again experiencing a peak, and things are more peaceful in his life.

I could and do identify. I've been in a valley of sorts for the last several weeks after losing a sponsee, and after making a poorly thought-out decision regarding a personal relationship of mine. I've kept my pain to myself, as I was hurt deeply by the latter experience, and felt ashamed of myself. Last night at a meeting, I finally shared with a friend and my sponsor that I was in pain. I'm not yet fully ready to disclose everything, but just by acknowledging that I was hurting relieved the pressure a great deal.

I slept well and woke up with hope again. After today's meeting, a young lady asked me to be her temporary sponsor. She is on a weekend pass from a treatment centre and lives in my area. We will meet tonight for coffee after this evening's meeting. Another young lady and I briefly connected, and I hope to spend time wiith her this weekend.

I walked out of the meeting with even more hope, and with a sense of purpose.

Who ever would have thought that an alcoholic with my sordid past could be of use to another human being. It's true that our past will become our greatest asset.

I'm grateful that I am learning to ride out the pain when it comes, and to have faith that I will again emerge from the valley to settle upon the peak for awhile.

Thank God for this new life I have been given.

[grateful2b]

Thank you for this, Ro...I am always touched by your honesty and grace, and I envy the people who walk in such close proximity with you...

[HopeTo180]

Amen Rowan!

[AW2486]

Reminds me of another story that took place in Akron OH in the 1930's in a hotel lobby.

[GrouchoTheCat]

Originally Posted by Rowan

Who ever would have thought that an alcoholic with my sordid past could be of use to another human being. It's true that our past will become our greatest asset.

Thank God for this new life I have been given.

"No mater how far down the scale we have gone, we will see how our experience can benefit others" (BB 1st ed.)

Sounds like the 9th step promises are coming true for you Rowan.

"They will ALWAYS materialize if we work for them."

Peace,

Groucho

[CarolD]

hi Rowan...
Thinking of you...

http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...89<br /> 2276

Forward we go..side by side...

[stone]

[jimhere]

Ro,

Take a look at the 24 Hours A Day that Carol posted. The medititation speaks to this subject.

What I've found is that I can do all the other steps and if I don't work with others, it is fruitless. I can have the best meditation practice, and if I am not being of service to my fellows, it is fruitless. I think the book says in several places things like "No matter how far down the scale I've gone, I can see how my experience can benefit others;" "I can become useful;" I'm to fit myself to be of maximum usefulness to God and to my fellows, I hold the key to life and happiness for others, and so forth. So my experience is not for me, it is for you. If I keep it to myself, it dries up.

Rowan, you've discovered the secret of happiness. If you want to know the mysteries of God, abandon yourself in service to another human being. I've found that when I am actively engaged in this activity, all the other areas of my life are enrichened.

A little prayer that was taught to me by my grand-sponsor:

"Dear God, Please fill me with your loving spirit that it would fill me up and flow through me into the lives of others."

Jim

[lizw]

Hey Rowan

I've just had the recent expereince of being canned by a sponsee and a $$$ loss because of it. Myself and daughter were meant to go stay with her (she lives about 4 hours away) but her situation is such that it would be unwise for us to go. I'd already book bus tickets and can't get a refund. Don't have the money to stay anywhere else up there either.

I was torn about going or not, until my sponsor said don't. I've also come up with a variety of ways to 'fix' the situation. I like playing God. Well, I like it until it starts to hurt.

But, all this aside I was thinking about the whole situation (again) yesterday and the idea occured to me that maybe what the 'problem' is, is that these days I have principals. I'm not content to live in or with another person denial about their situation. Neither do I like living in my own denial. Yes I may make pitstops there every now and then, but I haven't moved in for good!

I feels quite good to know I actually have principals - never noticed before. Must have sneaked up on me!

As your post suggested, nothing is a waste nor any expereince not worth learning from in God's world.

Liz