Reaching out.

[Humblepie]

In meetings I have often heard people talk about the newcomer and how important it is to reach out to them and then after the meeting no one reached out to me and talked to me. Instead I watched people gather in groups hugging laughing etc. I have walked out alone many times.

Why wasn't everyone focusing on me the newcomer? What was wrong with them? What was wrong with me?

What was I expecting?

In the last 3 meetings I have been to I have made it a point to reach out my hand and tell someone my name. They pretty much it take from there and I walk away with a new phone number and if I follow through, a new friend.

Sometimes they don't so I reach out and shake someone else's hand until I get a number. I need help, it is my sobriety, my life I am concerned with. In early sobriety I am finding this to be the action I need to be taking for today, going to a meeting by itself does not keep me sober.

Today I will following through by reaching out and by using those phone numbers.

[Montauktammy]

Shortcut to: http://www.na.org/bulletins/bulletins-main.htm

[Montauktammy]

http://www.na.org/pdf/litfiles/us_english/IP/EN3112.pdf

[admin]

Larry, I have been to meetings where I arrived, sat alone and left without anyone saying anything to me. Eventually I did the same as you. I stuck my hand out and said hello. I went to meetings to save my life and it was up to me to do something about it. Something I use to do when I was new was stand outside the door before the meeting and say hello to everyone who came in and after the meeting I would stand outside the door and say goodbye to everyone. I also arrived early and stayed late for meetings to help out and to fellowship before and after the meetings. How involved I become or don't become is up to me. Today I am very glad to see you say:

Today I will following through by reaching out and by using those phone numbers.

Keep taking it one day at a time and reaching out. :42: