Boulders & Bears / The gift of Sponsorship in 12 Step Programs

Recently, I began calling my Sponsor “Mama Bear” after watching her handle a situation in an Alanon 12 step meeting with loving detachment.

The nickname stuck, as through our time together, she was presented with many new challenges, and having big adventures facing them head on. My sponsor was climbing the “Big Boulders”, of life and it was inspiring to witness this as I worked through both the 12 Steps &12 Traditions with her.

As I began to try new things in my recovery, I realized that I could not (yet) scale the “Big Boulders” that my “Mama Bear” sponsor was climbing. For a few days I fell into “compare & despair”, then suddenly the realization came upon me. I am a “baby bear ” in my program/recovery and “Progress not Perfection”, showed me that I can simply do my best with what I have, “Just for Today. “First things First” taught me that I cannot do the big things until I do the small ones, and “How important is it”? Shows me how to prioritize those things.

Having support in my Alanon program as I scale these “Boulders in my life” has been a huge benefit to me. Because I grew up in the disease of Alcoholism, my distorted thinking was “All or nothing”. Working with the tools of program shows me how to start with small, do-able steps in my recovery, and I can continue to grow in the Alanon program if I am willing to do so.

I am truly grateful for the gift of Sponsorship and my recovery in the Alanon program. This Spring, we will celebrate a 10 year anniversary of working together.

The Alanon fellowship has given me the gifts of support, trust, and gentle guidance in all of my affairs. Combined with a healthy Sponsorship relationship, I have the ability to climb any boulders I desire in life, big or small.

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