My feelings are hurt. Even though I knew things weren’t going well and that I was considering ending my sponsorship too, it stung. The teacher gave up on me. Yes, I was a difficult student who asked a lot a hard questions, but still…teachers are supposed to meet their students where they are at, right? I guess I don’t really know how sponsorship is supposed to work, but she wanted me to follow her guidance without question. I brought my baggage to the table as I tried to grapple with it as I went through the steps with her. I wanted a teacher; it seems she wanted a disciple.
This a minor example of how I feel from my last post. I tried to be so honest with my Sponsor and in the end she rejected me. If I would have “faked it” a bit more and played by her rules she would have accepted me, but then I wouldn’t have been myself. Well, here I am: sponsor free, out on the prowl, no strings attached! I’m a free agent. I can look into all sorts of traditions that will nurture my sobriety without being told I’m doing it wrong. I’m going to embrace this freedom, once I stop crying over being rejected. I’m newly back in China after a lovely visit to Portland. It was easy and fun to be sober there. I went to a few 7am AA meetings and found my people there. Such a Portland quote from the meeting, “If you are a man, or identify as a man, you are welcome to come to the Men’s meeting on Wednesday.” People were warm and welcoming, we were in a Church basement, there was another women crocheting like me, I ran into a woman I taught with at the high school there, I left with people’s phone numbers and left with warm feelings towards everyone, it was worth getting up and driving 20 minutes to get there. I also went to one Refuge Recovery meeting. It was 20 minutes of yoga, 20 minutes of guided meditation and 20 minutes of reading and shares. I loved this meeting style, I guess it was only born a few weeks ago and already there were about 20 people there. I went out afterwards for fellowship with the yoga instructor, chair and her boyfriend afterwards at a gluten-free and vegan bakery. I saw how they could be part of my community if I lived there. I could have sober friends easily. I missed how my life could be if I lived there, I felt homesick for really the first time in the 8 years I have lived aboard. Well, here I am. I’ll go to my weekly AA meeting, I will start my step 4, I will do yoga and foster meditation. I’m equipped to stay sober.
1 Comment
I can totally relate to this - I had a sponsor initially who was very set in her ways on what she deemed right and wrong in terms of what an alcoholic is and how you should/shouldn't feel etc. I think the key is to remember - for me anyway! - that she is only human and she comes at this from her own experiences and perspective, which I suppose was different and maybe too different from mine. You'll find the right sponsor for you and please don't feel bad! Best of luck! Anna
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AuthorI used to drink with the best of them, but I don't anymore. My life is so much better for it. Archives
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