Today was a gift to me. I chose to take a break from work, and it has given me the privilege of free time to reply to some members here and attend a 12 steps workshop meeting in a recovery center.
Someone in the group was having a crisis, the workshop facilitator was offering some very extreme suggestion. In my heart, I was thinking you are not trained to handle this; are you ready to take the responsibility if your suggestion break up family or did other people harm.
This facilitator always reminded me of my first mentor in humility, both of them facilitate groups but are complete opposite and different. I saw my mentor walked the talk, he respect the Higher Power, the Higher Power here is the group, he will seek the group for advice, according to him, someone in the group may have face this problem before and can share their personal experience.
This facilitator never admit that he does not have all the answer, he has given some of the most extreme suggestion, foolish and ignorant statement I have ever heard in my last 14 years in recovery.
He will not go wrong if he quotes the big book. He should not cross the line, and play God. He should have respected the Higher Power in the form of other counsellors available in the same building and refer the help seeker to them.
I was taught in the program that I don’t need to like the messenger, but I must listen to the message that the messenger carry. This person is the only 12 steps workshop facilitator I know. I was also taught to pick up the things I find useful in the meeting and leave the rest behind.
I still respect this facilitator for his knowledge and experience, I have benefitted and learn much about the program from him in the last 14 years. I am grateful to him, but I do not wish to be like him.
My role model are my mentors. Today was a slow and relaxing day. Thank you God for everything!