Blog entry for:

okay this morning's reading was not about the holidays or having a happy one, but i felt intuitively that i just needed to say that.
this morning's reading was about the group and my personal responsibility to the group (at least that is what struck me). i do understand that our groups are the vehicle to carry the message to the still suffering addict but groups are made up of recovering addicts and i am one of those (most days anyhow). what i guess i am trying to get at is i need to look to my behavior as a member of a group and an example of recovery in general.

• am i being warm and welcoming?
• am i carrying a message of HOPE or am i just passing on clichés?
• do i go out of my way to make newer members feel that i can be approached or am i too wrapped up in my life?
• when i am hurting, do i share that despite my pain, that i have stayed clean today?
• am i protecting the newcomer by taking a stand against damaging behaviors from those who have some time, or do i push that responsibility off on their sponsors?
• do i only share when i am feeling good, saving my face at the group level?

i would love to say that i am taking my responsibility seriously at every meeting, alas, i am only human. by asking these questions, and evaluating my behavior against spiritual principles like these, i have a chance to do my best to fulfill my responsibility to our group and myself.

-- DT --