Many birds fly in a V formation when they are migrating. The theory is that the strongest birds assume the front position, so that others may benefit from the draft of their air currents.
The entire experience of working a 12 program is a migration. A migration away from our old way of thinking and living to a new freedom and tolerance for ourselves and others. If we are painstaking about the effort we put into our program, the promises on page 83 and 84 of the Big Book assure us that “our whole attitude and outlook on life will change.”
My sponsor, David S. celebrated 21 years of sobriety this week. I have been drafting along on his currents for awhile now. I have changed alot while he has been working with me. He might argue that he’s not my sponsor. He doesn’t like that word. He’s quick to point out that the program, in it’s purest form, makes no mention of sponsorship; only that we “work with others” and be willing to carry the message.
He also tells me that we get as much help from everybody as we can. That’s true too. I have a wonderful woman that I also call a sponsor, and a group of long term sobriety women that I call my “tribe,” and of course there is the cyber community of bloggers that support me daily.
But David is the heart and soul of the program I work today. He has taken me on a spiritual journey that I would not have embarked on, or understood, alone. He keeps me centered, reminds me that God is in charge, and isn’t afraid to laugh at my shortcomings.
The entire experience of working a 12 program is a migration. A migration away from our old way of thinking and living to a new freedom and tolerance for ourselves and others. If we are painstaking about the effort we put into our program, the promises on page 83 and 84 of the Big Book assure us that “our whole attitude and outlook on life will change.”
My sponsor, David S. celebrated 21 years of sobriety this week. I have been drafting along on his currents for awhile now. I have changed alot while he has been working with me. He might argue that he’s not my sponsor. He doesn’t like that word. He’s quick to point out that the program, in it’s purest form, makes no mention of sponsorship; only that we “work with others” and be willing to carry the message.
He also tells me that we get as much help from everybody as we can. That’s true too. I have a wonderful woman that I also call a sponsor, and a group of long term sobriety women that I call my “tribe,” and of course there is the cyber community of bloggers that support me daily.
But David is the heart and soul of the program I work today. He has taken me on a spiritual journey that I would not have embarked on, or understood, alone. He keeps me centered, reminds me that God is in charge, and isn’t afraid to laugh at my shortcomings.
Happy Birthday David, I hope I can draft along on his wings for many more years.
10 comments:
What a great commentary on a person who has provided so much and yet has also gotten so much from you as well. There is something special about that person who is our touchstone in the program.
That's cool, Meg! I knew that about birds, and I know cyclists (especially teams of professional cyclists) do it too! I never thought about applying it recovery.
Thank God for all the Davids and Megs in the world!!! Without them, I'd be lost!
Peace out!
Kari
You're a good friend, Meg. Happy birthday to David.
Have a great weekend, Meg.
A lovely tribute to your good friend David, and even ,more proof of How it Works! Since I have found myself w/o a sponsor, I think I'll choose a few people to fly with!
Love ya MY Meg
That concept of the birds flying is cool Meg.
Birds of a feather flock together.
One of my old time mentors used to say that the did not use the term sponsor and sponsee. They used the term pigeon for the ones that they worked with cause usually end up shitting on ya. ;P
One thing to remember is that it is GOD.. the god of the program that is doing the work. Not us.
Each of us can change if we have the willingness, honesty and open mindness. Once that spiritual awakening has that spiritual awakening has occured and we begin to transmit it then as your thought process is going here.. we begin to fly with the flock... the sober flock.
Remember one of the great gifts of our chosen path is we get to watch a fellowship spring up around us.
I am proud to call you friend.
I also like to lurk and watch how you are helping and reaching out to so many around the world.
that is the true essence of the program in action.
we live in an age of miracles and we are all miracles.
David
What a lovely post. You have such a generous heart, Meg. I feel like I am floating in the draft of your wings, so I feel I owe some to your mentors before you as well. I thank the powers that be that put them and you in the path before me.
I am so grateful to you and to the Davids of the world. Have a wonderful weekend, my friend.
~Judith
happy B-day Dave your awesome..
Ahh. Thats lovely. I always find it very moving to think of the people that support us in different ways. Maybe you don't realise, but I get a lot of support from your demonstration of kindness and motherly love. It helps me a LOT to be able to see that in women. I can't move toward my goals without clear 'examples'. So thank you Meg for being that example for me.
I love to watch the people..who know how to do it...like your David. It helps point the way for me.
Happy Birthday David. The fellowship is incredible. What we give to each other is immeasurable. Thank you for sharing this with us.
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