I have had the privilege of working with many people in Alcoholics Anonymous. I have worked with all walks of life: male and female, rich and poor, young and old, believers and non believers, Christians, Jews and Muslims. I do the same thing with everyone - I always have the Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous between them and me. I simply open the book and we begin reading at the preface. As we read the book we discuss the material. I don't change anything for anyone. The solution, a vital spiritual experience, is the solution regardless of what their problem may be in addition to their addiction. Obviously, if a person has mental problems then additional help is necessary for them. I never tell anyone what they must do - I just follow the material and incorporate the Twelve Steps as we move through it all: A practice that can be replicated by anyone.
I know that my behavior is being observed. Not just whether I can "talk the talk" but more importantly can I "walk the walk". Am I practicing the principles of AA? In the forward of The Twelve And Twelve it says, "The twelve steps are a group of principles, spiritual in nature, which if practiced as a way of life can expel the obsession to drink and enable the sufferer to become happily and usefully whole."
The following is what my sponsees see in me: I am responsible. When asked to take someone through the book of Alcoholics Anonymous, I say yes. I never consider whether I have enough time... I simply just make it work. There isn't a greater exercise one can participate in than to help another recover from a seemingly hopeless state of mind and body. Nothing. We meet once a week for an hour and I only cancel if I have an urgent family matter or if I am doing step work with another. My emotional state rarely, if ever, changes one week to the next as I am serene and at peace. I never prepare for a meeting as I am dependent upon and trusting in God. Again, I never tell another what they must do as it is their recovery. It is their relationship with God. I am the example, not the taskmaster.I know that my behavior is being observed. Not just whether I can "talk the talk" but more importantly can I "walk the walk". Am I practicing the principles of AA? In the forward of The Twelve And Twelve it says, "The twelve steps are a group of principles, spiritual in nature, which if practiced as a way of life can expel the obsession to drink and enable the sufferer to become happily and usefully whole."
When we live this life in AA we become happily and usefully whole. Let us share in this legacy.
Written by Armand
I heard the word "sponsor" at my very first AA meeting, thinking that perhaps "they" needed additional proof of my worthiness/unworthiness from someone who could speak on my behalf before the lords of AA. Now in my fourthieth year of sobriety, I've seen and heard a variety of definitions and notions of what the role of a sponsor is or should be. The sponsor profile outlined herein (as personified by you, the writer) is, in my experience, the most complete and appropriate definition of sponsorship-as-it-was-meant-to-be. I have no doubt about that. A sponsor is a teacher, a guide, a non-judgmental arbiter of nothing except translating and conveying the program of Recovery printed in the basic literature of AA - The Big Book and The 12 and 12. Of all the benefits of sponsorship, the greatest-by-far for me is that it has given me a gift that I am now able to offer another sufferer, just as you've taught, and just as you've given to so many. Thank you for clarifying and specifying the exact nature of sponsorship. It puts the onus on every member of AA to take the action (through The Twelve Steps) that will yield Recovery, and then to experience the joy of giving it back the right way.
ReplyDeleteMichael If one is to help another recover from a seemingly hopeless state of mind and body that that person needs to be recovered. We can't give away that which we don't have. In AA we say"if you can find another way than the Twelve Steps, then have at it. But this is what has worked for us."...Thank you...Armand
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