[rainbow in the dark]

I've been going to a few meetings a week and it helps listening to people share. However, I seem to make a few people angry with me by my sharing. I am agnostic and hard headed, plus I get different thoughts and go on tangents. It really seems to get them upset. So, I guess I will go to other meetings to check them out. You think I should change my sharing and just say whats in the big book. I get anxiety and lose focus on what I'm trying to say. Oh well, a thanks in advance if you care to respond.

[emgreen]

I'm sorry I missed your post, rainbow! I've been kind of scarce around the boards & have been dealing with some serious depression.

So, you're an agnostic? Well, I've got you beat! I'm an atheist! Screw the people you think are acting like they have a stick up their arse! If anyone says anything, or gives you a hard time, point out the Third Tradition in the AA Traditions (the "rules of AA")..."The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking." That's "law." You don't have to believe in a higher power, it's not mandatory that you work the steps, etc. I know you have a desire to stop drinking (you've got over two years!), so you've earned that seat in the meetings. As far as your message, please don't change it. I share that I'm an atheist because there might be people new to meetings who would be "run off" by the religious nature of some members. It's important to think of others...

As far as looking for new meetings, by all means YES!!! I shop around for meetings where religion isn't stressed...& as I think I mentioned before, look for meetings where there's a lot of laughter. Just because we're sober (one day at a time) doesn't mean we have a right to take ourselves too seriously.

Again, sorry for the delayed response. Keep me informed. I've been wondering how you were doing. I hope the meetings are helping you with your social anxiety, too. I know it was a big step for you to return to meetings. Happy 2018!

[rainbow in the dark]

Hey Emgreen, hope all is good. The meetings go pretty good and my social anxiety is getting better. I was talking to one guy and he suggested to me to just say "f--- it" and just go to a meeting, lol. So know when I'm feeling nervous about going somewhere, I say f--- it and go. I haven't gone in a few days, so maybe this weekend. Take care.

[emgreen]

I like that guy's attitude! It sounds like you're hanging out with a winner!

[rainbow in the dark]

Yeah he's pretty cool. The only problem I am having is the large meetings and going at night. Do you have problems with going off on tangents or can you stay focused when you share. I ask because I think I have adhd or something. I went to 3 meetings last week and 1 I could stay focused and the other 2 I'd drift off. That's just the way it is...as long as I hear a few things to help then it is worth it. How about you. You going to any?

[emgreen]

I'm back at meetings after a long absence due to depression. I've been going to about three a week. I sometimes feel that I scatter my thoughts when I speak, so I don't necessarily think you have ADHD issues in meetings....that's just the way things are sometimes. I think everyone feels that way every now & then. Congrats on getting to the bigger meetings! I know social anxiety was a problem for you...as it was for me when I had that prolonged bout with depression. That's pretty much par for the course, though (that's an American saying). Sorry it took me so long to respond to your post. I've kind of been out of it. I hope you understand. Take care & I'll wait to hear from you soon.

[rainbow in the dark]

Hey, no problem...I just come on here once or twice a day and mostly read. Haven't been out to a meeting in a while because I seem to say things that upset people. I really don't know what I'm going to do, so I will give it a while and maybe try again.