tommyinphilly

Hey everyone. I'm speaking for the first time at an AA meeting and am a little nervous. It will at least be at a meeting where the only people I have seen before are my sponsor and two friends. I'm not a good public speaker to begin with, plus feel really embarrassed about my behavior that led to sobriety. I have four and a half months sober. Any advice?

Anna

I hope it goes well. I don't use AA, but I'm sure you will be great.

Soberpotamus

No advice, but you have my admiration. That takes some courage

LBrain

It means you are speaking at a speaker meeting...?
Don't over embellish and keep it to the point. Remember there are three parts to the discussion. Don't spend the whole time talking war stories.

oak

I am impressed!!! I have never spoken at a meeting.

Whatever happens will be okay.

You can skip over anything that is too embarrassing to share or you can talk about it in generalities. Or share it directly and presumably see that people still like you and want to talk with you. (Recently, I shared something at a meeting that I was embarrassed about sharing, but it helped to see that people still wanted to talk with me afterwards.)

I agree with LBrain, don't just share war stories. Share about recovery too.

JanieJ

You' ll be fine.

They won't mind if you are not a pro at it.

Break a leg !

PurpleKnight

Deep breaths, I always get a few tunes on my ipod going before any public speaking!!

Relax, what's the worst that can happen? You can do this!!

Soberwolf

Be yourself speak from the heart

Good luck Tommy

tommyinphilly

Thank you for all of the advice and support. I'm really nervous about doing it but my sponsor said it's a really good way of giving back.

Fly N Buy

What type of forum is this??
I know for me at even 7 months I really only have what it was like at this point.... maybe a little more, but not much. The speakers I have listened to have been a minimum of 2 years and that's pretty quick, IMO.

There are many ways to give back - if you're not ready, don't let him push you into it

If you're ok with it, then relax and like LB posted keep it straight up without going off on a tangent. I'd be using index cards, perhaps.

let us know how it goes!!
peace, friend

tommyinphilly

Thanks again for all of the help. It was at a halfway house. It was easier than I thought. I just opened up and told my story. A bunch of people said that I really helped them. I know that it helped me.

Soberwolf

Awesome Tommy !!!

Ellay

Way to go! I bet you inspired some that were having a hard time getting to where you are. 4 months is a lifetime to many congrats!!

Foolsgold186

I know when I listen to someone speak at meetings I'm full of total admiration. That takes balls! Be yourself and share your journey honestly.

That's all you can do.

Good luck and please let us know how it goes.

IOAA2

Hi.
Most of us are not public speakers and suffer from self centered fear.
I say a little prayer even after many years: “Please guide my words and thoughts.”

As stated try to stay away from a long war story and concentrate on your past and present feelings which got you here. You might open with “I wish I could hide under my shoes.” Also remember your among people who understand you because most have the same fears.
Congratulations!

BE WELL

MythOfSisyphus

That's great, Tommy!