Whats "on" my plate might be different then what's "on" your plate

[Inspiringmind]

It must be because it is a new year or something...but I am feeling this way right now. My sponsor is always telling me that "my plate isn't full" Ok maybe to her and her life my plate isn't full....but to me my plate is full. Doesn't everybody have a different level of having a full plate? I am not her and I feel right now that a lot of things are falling on me. Service wise. We just had a New Years Even event and bringing and setting up everything was 90% me. So she mentions something about Valentines day...ACK to close to this event. If I had a committee of about 10 other people to split this up with then I would be fine with it. I can just see in 2008 we are supposed to have another convention in our city and I am fliping out about that already. Half of the people that were on that committee are not active in NA anymore. So, who is supposed to be on that committee now? Anyways, that is way to much on my plate. I swear I have felt like at least drinking for the last few weeks just because of this reason. If I drank something I might be able to get out of all my responsibilities that I have in NA.

[Time2Surrender]

Originally Posted by Inspiringmind

Half of the people that were on that committee are not active in NA anymore. So, who is supposed to be on that committee now?

When I sit in a meeting, I know only a handful of these people will be around this time next year. Do the service work and be one of those people still around next year. We all have busy lives, I know I do. Thats part of being clean. The longer we stay clean the more we have going on. I know I put a lot into staying high. I now put it all into my recovery. I will do anything to keep the life I have today thanks to NA. We must be willing to go to any lengths.

[mackie]

I agree about the service work, to a point! Don't give it up completely, but certainly know WHEN YOUR LIMIT IS HIT!

One of my biggest problems is being able to tell people "NO"!

Sounds to me, you need a crash course in diplomatic delegation........before you start putting "HELL" in front of the word "NO".

If all the hoopla's triggerin' you to think about drinking, you need to reevaluate and KEEP YOURSELF CLEAN. It's a SELFISH PROGRAM! Only if you're clean, can you be the most benefit to the newcomer and service work.

BTW, I love my sponsor(s) dearly. Sometimes I have to treat them the same way I treat other members. Take from them what you can use, and leave the rest for one of their other sponsees.

[Sugah]

We have a philosophy in my area: "One person, one position." That means one official position. While I was GSR for my group, I didn't hold a committee chair. Someone holding a homegroup position will not take a position on a different level of service. Sometimes, that means that a position will be vacant for a little while. The urge to step forward and say, "I'll do it" while committed to another area of service is huge for some, but to do so may remove the opportunity for someone who needs it more.

This year, we had a NYE celebration. Last year, we didn't because no one came forward to do it. Everyone else was committed. We can only work with the bodies we have, and as those bodies increase, our activities will increase. If service helps one to stay clean, it follows that growth will occur in the fellowship -- if there are sufficient opportunities to do service. A small number of people doing everything doesn't provide opportunity for the newcomer looking for something to do. And, no, the newcomer doesn't always know that s/he is lookng for that opportunity, hence the guidance of a good sponsor. Perhaps your sponsor may want to concentrate more on the 12th step and find some more newcomers in order to spread the wealth?

And Mackie, I must say for anyone who misunderstands you -- this is not a selfish program. If it were, none of us would be able to stay clean.

Peace & Love,
Sugah