[Magdalen] Admission

[Lynn Ronkainen]

questions about 12 step groups:

Hi I'm Lynn and my experience is that every group is different. Every group 
(within 'the programs") does not work for everyone  who seeks healing and 
community. Sometime one needs to find the group that works for them - in the 
sense of support and being held accountable, when needed - not comfortable 
as an old shoe where one can continue to come but not begin the hard work of 
putting one's life back together again in a new way. Sobriety of body, mind, 
spirit, emotions is hard work and it only works when someone really *wants* 
it and *works it*.

In my group we do repeat 'I'm Lynn' each time we speak. I always assumed it 
was because not everyone knows or remembers everyone's name as there are 
often new people dropping in, so it is a reminder or a bit of an 
introduction. In my group we do use an identifier - "Hi, I'm Lynn, ACA" for 
me (at another time it was ...I'm Lynn, Alanon) I never really thought much 
about it other than I am reaffirming that I'm naming my own struggle .

Saying my  name, even over and over, was far from my most uncomfortable and 
yet eventually road-to-healing moments which remained unuttered for a long 
time...  when one is "ready", desperate, touched by the holy, open to 
something new/better, offered hope.... when one is humble/d (not humiliated) 
by one's life circumstances, then this may not be so much of a concern. Some 
people come into 'the rooms' of 12 step programs ready to do anything to 
make their life whole again, and many do.  In retrospect a 12 step room can 
be the very best place to be uncomfortable because many of the people there 
actually do know how you feel and they've been there done that too.

(searched in vain to find a quote on humility that an AA friend said to 
me...)

Lynn

website: www.ichthysdesigns.com

When I stand before God at the end of my life I would hope that I have not a 
single bit of talent left and could say, "I used everything You gave me." 
attributed to Erma Bombeck
 "Either Freedom for all or stop talking about Freedom at all" from a talk 
by Richard Rohr

--------------------------------------------------
From: "M J _Mike_ Logsdon" <mjl at ix.netcom.com>
Sent: Thursday, January 07, 2016 1:03 PM
To: <magdalen at herberthouse.org>
Subject: Re: [Magdalen] Admission

>>>>The other evening, I introduced myself by saying “I’m Jim.”  I got the 
>>>>same response as everyone else.<<<
>
> But is that what is supposed to be done EACH TIME one wants to speak?