April 15, 2014

Can I Be a Companion On the Path?

Back last spring, I got myself sidetracked in my program, with emails in which I was acting protective towards (what I thought was) a group conscience.  I wanted to see folks able to be open and discuss problems they had in Sponsorship. I  knew that folks did this successfully in mature AA groups, face to face. I thought our online group had built trust and could do the same.

I was wrong.  There are probably many reasons. One of which is that in an online group (without video or voice), words can fail. Intentions can be attributed to a person, no matter how careful the wording. And believe me, my wording was careful.  

But I also spoke up several times sharing  my experiences with Sponsorship, trying to be keep the discussion alive in  the spirit of learning, together.  Yes. I went there…  And in this group, folks carefully avoid conflict, to the point that a lot of stuff goes on privately, behind the scenes. We don't learn together much. Not on the open forum. Which is why I kept my communication almost entirely public.

While others did not. And reported me.  Yep. Then I got read the riot act, when the only mistake I made was to care. Yes. Perhaps too much.  I wanted us to show each other we could have a civil conversation openly, and well, I failed to demonstrate that…

And in the end, I was censored and the person who had issues with me, left our community.

I stayed, went through moderation, and six months later, this person is back. 

I wonder whether the best thing is for me to leave.  When I think about sharing in this community, I have this sense I will be walking on eggshells… and that others (who actually think I was bullying this person)…. are going to spot me doing something wrong. Complain about me for things I share…. unless I watch my every move…

I am afraid that I will get into trouble again, or trigger the person without meaning to.  Just by being me.

That's just fear speaking, I see that.  But it speaks loudly, as I have been burnt by this person too. I know we are both different sides of the same coin… but I have lost my faith in being able to communicate that, to her.  

2 comments:

  1. I heard at a meeting "what you think about me is none of my business" I thought this was a pretty dumb saying. A cop out to make us accept unacceptable behavior. Now I know that it is true because when people judge us it is through their own filter. We don't stand a chance convincing them otherwise so we have to do our best and let the rest go. Our peace of mind is all that matters.

    ReplyDelete
  2. I appreciate your honesty. I too struggled with that saying when a friend shared it with me! (She was not in program, I don't think.) It took me years to "understand it," and I am still trying to accept it. But it is powerful. It doesn't mean I don't care what people think, perhaps? But I can better use the principle QTIP, and realize that what other people think of ME, often says more about THEM. And I can learn from that, instead of being hurt...

    ReplyDelete

I welcome your thoughts. Keep me honest~