FELLOWSHIP

Dec 29, from “Strengthening My Recovery” daily reader

“In addition to the meetings, we chat after the meeting with others. We go for coffee at a nearby coffee shop, and we introduce ourselves. This is carrying the message as well, outside the walls of the meeting. “BRB p. 514

We go to a meeting and afterwards people stand around and talk and maybe some go out for coffee. That’s part of the fellowship of this program. But why is it important? Why should we participate?

When we begin our positive life changes we often feel less comfortable with the non-program people in our lives. It can become a challenge to have more functional relationships.

For most of us, our meetings become another family – one built on trust and shared recovery experiences. But even so, it’s often uncomfortable for a lot of us to have conversations with wonderful people we may not know well. Going out for coffee is a great way to practice new behavior and establish relationships, even if it doesn’t come easy. We use this as a way of further introducing ourselves to our fellow ACA members.

On this day I will practice new behaviors by spending more social time with my new family.”

My experience:

The company you keep says a lot about you and can influence how you walk in your world.  So yes, I come to the meetings early and I stay late.  I have had the opportunity to make friends and regularly meet with a fellow traveler to discuss life issues or just shoot the breeze.  This keeps me grounded in the program and that there are people like me in this world that can or will get through the dysfunction we experienced.  Everyone there is willing to talk, offer a smile and even an “ACA Hug.”  Join us and the family that has been created!!