Working with Others, or what 12 stepping means to me

[NMDemDist2]

Seems every time I talk to a newcomer they apologize for "bothering me" over and over. I try to reassure them they are very important to my recovery and that talking to them about getting and staying sober is such a great gift to me.

By talking to newcomers about the Program, I am reminded how different and blessed my life is today. I am reminded what a miracle this program has been in life. I am reminded of all the things I have to be grateful for, thanks to the program and this new way of living.

If you are a newcomer, don't shy away from calling another alcoholic when you are feeling shaky. Our Big Book tells us:

Practical experience shows that nothing will so much insure immunity from drinking as intensive work with other alcoholics. It works when other activities fail. This is our twelfth suggestion: Carry this message to other alcoholics! You can help when no one else can. You can secure their confidence when others fail. Remember they are very ill.

Life will take on new meaning. To watch people recover, to see them help others, to watch loneliness vanish, to see a fellowship grow up about you, to have a host of friends - this is an experience you must not miss. We know you will not want to miss it. Frequent contact with newcomers and with each other is the bright spot of our lives.

You may feel like you aren't 'worthy' or that no one would want to be around you in your condition, but I do!!!! :hi:

If you have been around a while, share how you feel about working with newcomers and how they are that 'bright spot in your life.'

:grouphug:

[SPKrazy]

1. 12th stepping isn't necessarily for the benefit of the stepee

in fact, it isn't their 12th step we are working, it is ours! It is designed to help us remember where we came from, to empty our vessel of the stagnation that so easily sets in to our lives when we coast along.

No, the person or person's we share with, listen to, give a ride, or whatever, all helps us stay sober and grow.

Love and service keep us dry. I think that was Dr. Bob that said that wasn't it?

I used to know the Big Book better than I do. Maybe it's time to re-read it, or study it a little more.

Anyway, I agree with your ideas and just truly think that it's there for us to stay sober, and we can't be responsible for the ground that our seeds land in and whether or not they take.

But if we don't seed the ground, or we don't make an effort to keep the weeds out so it can grow to some extent, then we aren't practicing the 12th step.

I also think that there are many many ways to work this step. From making coffee, chairing meetings, answering the phone, speaking at meetings, attending meetings, giving rides, visiting people in hospitals, treatment centers, etc., and anything that takes us out of ourselves and allows us to keep the pool from getting stagnant is what works best!

:hi:

[Kajsa]

2. I love working with newcomers.

Newcomer meetings are great for the same reason.

As SPK pointed out, we remember where we came from,
as this disease wants me to believe that I don't have it-
after all these years that hasn't changed.

Newcomers remind me what I felt like when I first came in,
and how neat it was to start sleeping and eating like " normal"
people, again.
I too, felt like I was bothering people when I called them, but
they reassured me that my call helped them to stay sober, too.
That's one of the beauties of this program.

Any way we can be of service helps us to stay sober.

Great topic, AZDem!
Great post, SPK!

:hi: :grouphug:

[Dyedinthewoolliberal]

3. Hi!

I'm dyedinthewoolliberal and I'm an alcoholic :) I haven't had much luck yet meaning three or four people have asked me about being a sponsor but none of them have stuck around. However, I have so it must work! I didn't know this forum existed, glad to be here.

[Justpat]

4. Hello, Dyedinthewoolliberal!

Welcome.

There is some good sobriety here and we even manage to have a lot of laughs.


:hi:

[NMDemDist2]

5. hey welcome!

DIIWL, you are most welcome to our merry band of pranksters ;)