Originally posted by bettie
… Went to a meeting on Friday. I feel out of place there these days …
Good morning Bettie,
A meeting room is not a "Social Club", the only requirement for belonging to GA is the desire to stop gambling, the main reason to go is to pursue and honor that desire. "Principles before Personalities" is a hard guideline to keep in mind when we feel isolated form the group; or when our perception of things may be a little off due to other problems that we are dealing with; or when we are not finding the quality of support that we ourselves are giving to others and think that everyone should be giving all also, like you give daily in all of your involvement with others.
Nevertheless, putting the principles of recovery first is what we need in allowing us to find something that helps us when we attend meetings (there are three time that we should go to a meeting; when we feel like it; when we don’t; and the times in between) — "take whatever helps you (even if it is only the fact that you went) and leave the rest behind". And who knows, you might be helping them and being what they need when you attend; another principal of GA is to help others. You are a great help here, and must be one to the other members of GA as well without you realizing it or them acknowledging it.
God’s speed. Stay strong.
LarryThanks to my Higher Power, My 3G's – God, GA, and GT, "Day Two Is Another Day Behind" and with the help from all I hope to continue to remain gambling free.