I did it!!!

[SassyErRn]

I posted a week or so ago about how I need a sponsor and it's tough for me to get to new meetings and put myself out there, nervous and shy, etc. Well, this past week I went to a women's aa meeting on tuesday night and it was great! I was going to NA and my therapist suggested I try AA. I loved to see some older women (like grandmas!). The topic of shame came up and someone mentioned being in the health care field and I ended up sharing my feelings of shame and said that I was a nurse. That is not like me to talk if I don't have to but I just gave myself a little push. After the meeting a woman came up to me and suggested I go to this other women's aa group on thurs nights and I should meet this Gail person. I planned on checking out this other meeting anyways so I was happy to hear that most of the tuesday women also go to this other thursday meeting. I went there and found Gail who was an er nurse for 9 years and this and that...now wrapping up her 3 years in the hprp program. We talked for a bit before the meeting and she ended up telling me she would be willing to sponsor me if I wanted! She is a very laid back and fun person and I think it would be a great fit. And going into this meeting felt so great become the woman who suggested I go saw me and said how happy she was that I came and asked me to sit at her table. So Gail said to give her a call. I plan to call her this weekend but I really don't know what to say. I know you don't just call your sponsor when you are struggling. I am not a talker but she said she is so that is good. I will probally just tell her thank you for agreeing to work with me and then maybe she will just take it from there. She won't be at the meeting next week so I don't know if I ask her if she wants to get together and talk some more or what. Hmmm. I won't worry too much about that. I am so glad and I thanked God for this. Like I said, I am one to go to a meeting and leave right after. That is not the way to meet people. Now I feel kinda plugged in and I can see future friendships...and I didn't see that happening before. I went to NA just to meet my meeting requirements and now I feel like I want to go the these womens meetings because I don't want to miss anything! Sorry this was so long. Just wanted to update and share my good news. This was a HUGE step for me!

[Silverdragon102, BSN]

Really pleased you have found both a good group to attend and a sponsor

[Magsulfate, BSN, RN]

yayyyy! I am so glad you found a therapeutic group to attend! AND a sponsor!!

Doing a dance for you........

:clpty::clpty::clpty::clpty:

[Tweety, BSN, RN]

Awesome.

As we say "keep coming back, it works!" I too was one of those dreadfully and painfully shy ones who just showed up, didn't speak, and left. But the key was that I kept coming back.

[jackstem]

WELL DONE!!!!! Huge step for your recovery!!

When I sponsor with someone, I tell them to feel free to call anytime there is a need, especially in the first 90 days. I don't require them to call me everyday, but I suggest it, just to get them used to making that contact. This disease LOVES isolation. We generally use alone and obtain our drugs alone. We don't want to share our shame at being the only terrible nurse who would ever do such a thing! (Little do we realize.....)

An excellent way to get a little more involved is to show up early and help set up for the meeting...make the coffee, put out books or other reading material, great new members, etc. You can also stay after to help clean up, maybe talk with some of the "stragglers", etc.

As Magsulfate said in another thread, GIVING AWAY our recovery is the best way to strengthen it. It's impossible to recover alone. You've taken some very difficult steps to get well. You've shown the courage it takes, and that you have that courage! As one of my first sponsors said to me..."Well done Grasshopper!"

I highly recommend this article for everyone in recovery, and for those who love them. "Recovery as a Heroic Journey", by William White. You might also want to visit Faces and Voices of Recovery. There are many excellent personal stories of recovery which show a tremendous variety in the folks dealing with this lousy disease, and the amazing similarity of the stories we share. The bond we share as recovering individuals is one which unites everyone of us, no matter who we are, where we live, or what our profession. The experience, strength, and hope we share is the key to maintaining AND strengthening our recovery.

Welcome to the family....and Welcome Home!!!!! :wlcmggrp:

Big Hugs from Cincinnati!

Jack