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Daily Reflection 1/21

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I’ll say that I’ve had similar feelings in the past; I think it’s natural. Day after day, week after week, year after year, (and if we’re lucky) decade after decade we do our best to follow the program, but we’re human. Meetings can get dull, there can be annoying people at meetings, maybe we’re “just not feelin’ it”, or maybe I’ve just lived in my head with some resentments for too long.
What’s gotten me back “into the middle of the herd”, has been hitting a new meeting, actively getting involved in more fellowship (maybe go have coffee with your sponsor), pausing and thinking about if I’m actually “working” any step right now (6&7 are usually a good place to look), and remembering that I’m an alcoholic and that AA is not only saving my life, it’s giving me an opportunity to HAVE a life that I might actually enjoy and be proud of.
My understanding is we go to meetings to help others not for ourselves, which in turn tends to help us. How is the rest of your program besides your attempts at 12th step work? Tried just asking some people out for coffee and chatting outside a meeting session? Organize an AA activity? Perhaps you can bypass meetings to get some fellowship.
Yes, that sounds like maybe a little more effort would benefit you
Have you found any meetings where you connect? Keep looking if not. If you have, ask for a service commitment. Just suggestions/ideas.
Well truth is, a lot of meetings are pretty bad. It’s the program of action, the Twelve Steps, that leads to recovery, not meetings. I found the best sponsor through a Zoom group btw. May I ask why they haven't been effective for you? Get a commitment, it helps so much more than it seems like it will. One day at a time.
In my experience, you get out of AA what you put into it. This applies to the sreps themselves as well as the fellowship aspect of it. To feel "a part of" I need to show up a little early, make an effort to meet newcomers and regulars that I haven't connected with. I listen/participate with intention and then thank the speaker at the end where appropriate. I help put away tables and chairs and otherwise have a commitment at every meeting (the commitment is also good for getting me there regularly).
When I've moved and needed to find a new home group, that new meeting is "not my old home group" for as long as I sit on my hands. As soon as I plug in as descibed above it seems as though the room comes alive, full of love and fellowship.
I found Recovery Dharma to be a refreshing addition to my AA meetings. It’s like a whole group dedicated to the 11th step without all the Christian dogma (which I am averse to)
https://recoverydharma.org/meetings/
Also, maybe find a new sponsor? Mine is the coolest, wisest, most interesting MFer I’ve ever met. I WANT to call him every day because he is full of wisdom. I found him by leaving during the Lord’s Prayer and outside I found this amazing group of agnostic atheist leaning cats who I get along much better with than the Christians. That’s my pov. Stay on it my friend!
Try only big book meeting and stay away from open talk meetings
Op, why do you feel you are “dreading” meetings and “drifting significantly”? Social anxiety? Feels like too much work? Difficult to make time? Something else?
Please stay strong you can do it.Just keep dreaming.You don’t need that drink.You’re a special person