Sponsor to Sponsor Recovery Forum
Welcome to our recovery family. Please join us and post a message to our community often. 
Hey Bob, one more thing. Jesus was against religious Pharasees. So am I. The articles I write are never about religion they are about Jesus Christ. He is not about religion, He is about relationship. He didn't die and rise again for religion, he did it for people, ALL people. Folks in meetings as well as many churchs think that when someonje shares Jesus they are being religious. At least in my case I don't preach religion. I share Christ, the God of love. Jesus and religion don't mix well, that is why many denominations have shoot themselves in the foot. I'm just glad that God directs us to follow Him, not his people cause we are just a little twisted. Hee Hee.
Monty 
Hi Di,
This is from my past article "Sponsorship"
A Sponsor
First, for those of you who are wondering what we mean when we say, "Sponsor", and here is the skinny. In 12 Step programs a person in recovery from "whatever" is encouraged to get a Sponsor. A Sponsor is someone a person can be accountable to, someone who has a working knowledge of the 12 Steps and can guide them through the application and implementation of those steps in their daily life. A Sponsor is someone who is honest and has integrity, there are qualities in their life that the sponsee admires and looks up to. Although a Sponsor should never be deemed higher or better than the sponsee, a Sponsor is a mentor of sorts.
I hope that helps.
Ok, let us continue.
Recovering Addicts who are working an honest program of recovery stand apart from our society, we are different, we are the exceptions to the unhealthy world in which we live in today, or at least we should be. Some of us come to a point in our recovery that we find it very important to be of service to another by becoming a Sponsor. Most of us did not ask for the job, we were asked. If you are one of those people who said yes to the call of Sponsorship, let us count the cost shall we.
What ever you may think a Sponsor should be, one thing is clear… Sponsors are different folks, not better folks, just different. I am not talking about achievements. Performance is important, but too many people base their value and worth on achievements. What's more important is character. Consider the following qualities for yourself first, and then as positive goals for your sponsee’s lives.
1. INTEGRITY... Our actions need to be consistent with our values. Integrity means we can be depended on, we are trustworthy, we do what is right in accordance with what we believe.
2. CREDIBILITY... does tie into performance. It is earned by constantly doing our best, being faithful, and following through. Then others will know that they can rely on us. To the newcomer being able to depend on their Sponsor is critical. If they cannot depend on their Sponsor, whom can they depend on?
3. RESPONSIBILITY... is a trait we would all love to see in our sponsee’s. This is reflected by commitment and a willingness to do what needs to be done even when it is UN-COMFORTABLE. Recovery is not about comfort. Recovery is about growth.
4. DEPENDABILITY... Follow-through. Dependable people can be taken at their word, for what they say they will do will be done. They are willing to jump in and act before being asked. They take initiative.
5. TENACITY... Tenacious people do not quit; they hang in there. They stay committed.
Now, do these character qualities fit with who we are all the time? Perhaps not to the letter, but they do need to be a large part of our focus as Sponsors.
I know that some of you reading this are not in 12 Step Recovery, and might think that all this does not apply to you, well, think again my dear friends. If we are going to make a healthy difference in a very sick society, we are going to need to have these character qualities as high priority in our lives. All of us!
My suggestion: Do not spend so much time dwelling on your character defects, start moving towards developing Character Qualities. When we do that, we are living in the solution and not in the problem.
Until next time, have a great day..........
Monty 'man
opps sorry about all the spelling errs in that other message.It made me sound kinda dumb. I will try to be more commuinicative in further postings.
Spanky
Right on Brother. Look forward to hearing from you here, there or in the air.
Monty
Want Cheese On That?
One night I went to Overeater's Anonymus
The women were as big as hippopotamus
I was there because I wanted to try
The twelve step help was over to cry
Let alone with all that was wrong
It was sad not even a song
The men were for sure in a world of hurt
With half of thier bellies hanging out of shirt
When they told me of a higher power
I wanted to say Jesus and sound the hour
This was a thing I had been told not to do
So I said "what?" "Even if this paper that is blue"
"Yes" they said "Or a doorknob will do"
"Well" I said "Okay the paper then"
Which when tore was two where one had been
"What now" said I to the gathered bunch
In silence they looked at me as if out to lunch
It was super quiet so I tore it again
Now there were four where two had been
"Oh dear" I said "Look what happened"
"with four for sure I will not go off the deep end
But wait TEAR now there is eight
Will it work? will it be great?
There was no response at all you see
They were all stooped and steeped in idolatry
I tossed the paper in the air
Down it fluttered onto a table right there
I said "I am so sorry to offend,
But look there is plenty to lend"
They were bugged and chased me away
So off I drove to leave the curds and whey!
Written by,
Mike Sebastian
10_21_03
