“One of the better moves I made early in recovery,” says Anonymous, ”was finding a sponsor, says Anonymous from California USA. “As a sponsor, I have been able to help others and pass one what was freely given to me. . . . and that has proved to be the key to a happy, spiritual, and satisfying way of life.”
Earlier in her program, Barbara E. says she was “extremely skeptical that I might ever become neutral around the foods that beckoned me or that I’d become a happier, less volatile woman.” But her sponsor persisted in feeding her OA wisdom, and Barbara was desparate, and so she listened. Simply put, Barbara says of her sponsor, “She was right.”
“I pray that Higher Power shows me how to be sponsored and sponsor lovingly, caringly, and honestly,” says Alyson. Read the specifics of how she approaches giving and receiving sponsorship in OA.
Join Tina from Massachusetts USA in reflecting on this question: What if everyone in OA took on one more sponsee and did a little more service? Let’s commit to developing a Fellowship beyond our wildest dreams!
I felt so at ease with people I hardly knew.
A sponsee overflows with gratitude to her sponsor. Read this wonderful poem by Catherine W. from Minnesota USA. “Finally,” she says, ”I am not alone with my fear and grief.”
OA member Glen F. reflects on the imperfect nature of being a sponsor. “Someday I’m going to let you down,” he reflects to his sponsee. Read on and take heart from his heart’s guidance, both spoken and unspoken.
Do you sometimes feel dissatisfied with your meetings, available sponsors, or other aspect of program? What’s the solution? For Cate M. from California USA, the solution is to shift your perspective. “Our program works without us working it perfectly,” she explains.
What happens when you apply a “speed dating” format to match up OA sponsors with sponsees? Only good things, as Christine from New Zealand describes from her experience at an OA retreat.
Chris B. reflects on the personal challenges that come with sponsorship and just how essential sponsorship is to recovery. “Consider my hand forever raised for being available to sponsor,” says Chris.