[bizi]

This evening, I announced at 7:30 pm that I was going to an AA meeting.
Jeff said Why?
I said why do you think?
He yelled back "you are not an alcoholic".
I told him he was in denial.
and out the door I went.
It was held in the meeting room at a near by church. There were a lot of cars in the parking lot, people every where.
I wondered if they were having church services.
I filed in with everyone and sort of asked a young woman, Heidi, if this was the AA meeting and she said yes. She invited me to sit next to her.
Wow.
There were over 100 people, I counted them.
This was my 2nd meeting of AA. the first one was a couple of years ago at a different location...there were less than a dozen people and they made me speak.
I did not like that at all.
So this evening I could just sit and watch and listen.
It was very religious. The meeting lasted an hour and there was much discussion about praying and giving the power up to God.
For this I felt very uncomfortable. At the end of the meeting we all got up in a circle and holding hands prayed the "The Lords prayer".
I came home and told Jeff of the hundred people and he was just as surprised as I was.
How is that for avoiding the gym!

bizi

[mymorgy]

that is incredible. you might meet new friends while you are at it. the support sounds wonderful
love
bobby

[OhKay]

I'm so impressed that you took the leap and attended a meeting!

I'm glad that there were so many people there! I have gone to a couple myself, and there were never more than a few people there, but they never made me speak.

I'm sorry that it was so religious, and that made you uncomfortable tho. It would have made me uncomfortable, too

Do you think you will go again? Or try a different meeting?

That was a big step, Bizi- whether you decide to return or not

[Dmom3005]

I'm guessing there were so many because they felt comfortable
probably because it was religious. But not sure, they may have
felt comfortable because they weren't made to speak too.

I am hoping even if not to that group you continue to go to
an group.

Donna

[bizi]

I am not really interested in doing the 12 steps. I just wanted to feel a part of something greater than myself.
It was amazing to see that many normal looking people in the room, like me I suppose.
This affects all sorts of people yes there were some people there that were sketchy, a third of them were woman.
Alot of them court ordered perhaps due to run ins with the law.
I will try to sit by some one else next week when/if I go again.
Is it wrong to go and not want to do their 12 steps?
bizi

[mymorgy]

I don't think it is wrong

[Dmom3005]

No, I think if nothing else you go and set your own
steps.

If you only go to work on your own self that to me
is perfectly fine.

Donna

[bizi]

I just registered with WFS. women for sobriety.
Am awaiting approval. They have a chat room that I am interested in.
It sounds really good.
Very much affirming....
I think that religion is not their basis.
We will see. Some cities have person to person meetings, we don't.
Maybe this will be the forum for me????
bizi

[Mari]

I hope it works for you, Bizi,


Give us an update.

[OhKay]

It is not wrong, and not unusual, for people to attend AA meetings without following the 12 steps. Some people just need the support more than anything else. Take what you want and leave the rest. I'm glad that you recognized how many "normal" people, including women, identify as alcoholics.

The WFS forum sounds VERY promising. I really hope it works out for you, Bizi