In seeking a sponsor, most members look for someone they feel they can learn to trust, someone who seems compassionate IP No. 11, Sponsorship, Revised
The idea of sponsorship may be new to us. We have spent many years without direction, relying only on self-interest, suspecting everyone, trusting no one. Now that were learning to live in recovery, we find we need help. We cant do it alone anymore; we must take the risk of trusting another human being. Often, the first person we take that risk with is our sponsorsomeone we respect, someone we identify with, someone we have reason to trust. As we open up to our sponsor, a bond develops between us. We disclose our secrets and develop confidence in our sponsors discretion. We share our concerns and learn to value our sponsors experience. We share our pain and are met with empathy. We get to know one another, respect one another, love one another. The more we trust our sponsor, the more we learn to trust ourselves. Trust helps us move away from a life of fear, confusion, suspicion, and indirection. In the beginning, it feels risky to trust another addict. But that trust is the same principle we apply in our relationship with a Higher Powerrisky or not, our experience tells us we cant do without it. And the more we take the risk of trusting our sponsor, the more open we will feel about our lives.
Just for today: I want to grow and change. I will risk trusting my sponsor and find the rewards of sharing.
I've had seven different sponsors during my 26 years of recovery. I am grateful to each one for the experience, strength, and hope they have shared wit me.
My sponsor is someone I totally trust. How lucky are we? NA gives us a roadmap for changing our lives, and a caring, experienced person to guide us through the steps it takes to get there. And it's free. Amazing.
It is amazing. Sponsors have listened to me for thousands of hours. Imagine how much that would cost if they were charging a fee equivalent to that of a professional therapist!
I've learned so much from my sponsor (and she says she's learning a lot from me, which I have a hard time imagining!). I don't know how people can go without. How can we see our own self-deception? :)
I even had to kick my sponsors a** today about how she handled a situation. It makes me truly believe its one addict helping another!
