LAA
Love
Addicts Anonymous
Sponsorship
Sponsors are hard to find these days. 12-Step programs are changing.
I think that is because there are so many treatment programs that
do not arrange for peer support after graduation. This has altered
how peple feel about the 12th Step in general. It is the 12th
step that enourages us to carry the message of recovery to those
who are still suffering.
I am hoping
people who have some recovery under their belt will volunteer.
Change
is difficult. It means doing things that are unfamiliar and frightening.
It means facing the unknown. To help with this dilemma, we need
peer support.
Personal Journay
Susan P.
In 1982
I went to my first 12-Step meeting. The speaker caught my attention
when she said, "I know it will be hard, but you will have
to reach out for help if you want to get better." I remember
saying to myself "Never. I can do this on my own." I
laugh now because I was so wrong. I really did need help and I
got it by the grace of God.
A week
later, a woman spoke at a meeting I was attending and I really
identified with what she was saying. We had similar stories of
addiction. I approached her and she asked for my phone number.
It was like she was reading my mind. We exchanged numbers and
began a new adventure together. Joan helped me and I helped her
because she said she needed to help me to maintain her own recovery.
I didn't understand this at first until I began sponsoring others.
"Carrying the message," prompts me to keep up my studies
and to get away from my tendency to isolate. It also makes me
feel good about myself and about life.”
Eventually,
Joan got cancer and left AA. When she came back everybody ignored
her. But she had helped save my life, so I took care of her is
hospice. Then, in 1984 she died in my arms. I still miss her and
wear the ring she gave me to symbolize our journey together. And
today I am a Wounded Healer and Enlightened Witness like her.
I carry my message to those who suffer they way Joan and I had.
Sponsorship
Joan was
someone I could trust, and someone who had experienced her own
addiction and was now in recovery. She was someone who would read
my journal and listen to my Fourth Step. She was patient, kind
and wise. She was also very spiritual which was what I needed
the most.
Here
is a list of the qualities I found in Joan. If you are in recovery,
may you be so blessed.
1. She
experienced something similar to me. Not identical but close enough.
2. She
was a good listener.
3. She
gave me positive feed back whether I wanted it or not.
4. She
confronted me when necessary.
5. She
was sympathetic, but kept her boundaries and did not get lost
in my pain.
6.. She
could practically read my mind.
7. She
never gave up on me.
8. She
was encouraging.
9. She
was hopeful.
10. She
mirrored back to me my inner beauty.
11. She
never judged me.
12. She
always encouraged me to process all of my pain and not stuff it
or take it out on others.
13. She
encouraged me to forgive those who had hurt me and to forgive
myself most of all.
14. She
knew when to talk and when to listen.
15. She
was willing to share her story and shortcomings.
16. She
witnessed my pain so that I could see through her what I had been
through.
17. She
had worked the steps and helped me do the same.
18. She
had other students but always gave me special attention.
19. I
did not feel I deserved her but she was there for me anyway,
20. She
was always interested in helping others.
21. She
helped me find God but she did not ram spirituality down my throat.
May the
angels take care of you now my friend . . .
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