Sponsorship Bookmark - Working together to recover
Sponsorship is a confidential relationship between two Al-Anon members who benefit from
sharing experience, strength, and hope. The intimate details exchanged strengthen the bonds
of compassion, acceptance, and understanding. This private relationship is focused on the AlAnon principles. Making a commitment to this special relationship, or letting go of the
relationship, is a personal choice.
Sponsorship is:
• A relationship built on equality, anonymity, and trust
• An opportunity for growth - for both the Sponsee and the Sponsor
• A benefit at any stage of recovery
• A commitment to practice healthy communication - not based on intimidation or
demands
• An agreement to recover and grow together; not to struggle in isolation
• An opportunity for self-discovery; not a teacher-pupil relationship
• An experience based on unconditional love, not shame or judgment
• A spiritual relationship with no strings attached
• A one-to-one relationship; not an exclusive club
A bond focused on Al-Anon's four primary ideas: *
• We are powerless over the problem of alcoholism
• We can turn our lives over to a Power greater than ourselves
• We need to change both our attitude and our actions
• We keep Al-Anon's gifts by sharing them with others.
*Al-Anon/Alateen ServiceManual'2004-2006, page 10
Sponsors - Members who are:
• Respectful of the anonymity of others
• Willing to freely give time to the relationship
• Continuing to work on their own recovery
• Comfortable to be with; encouraging, not pushy
• Open minded listeners
• Equal partners in recovery
• Able to listen without giving advice
• A recovery resource for learning how to use the Al-Anon principles.
It is important to recognize that relationships sometimes change as we grow in Al-Anon. In
order to continue growing, it may become necessary to change Sponsors. Sponsorship is not a
lifelong commitment; letting go is not a sign of failure. Additional information on sponsorship
can be found in the leafelet: "Sponsorship, What It's All About" (P-31) and "Service
Sponsorship—Working Smarter, Not Harder" (P-88)
Just for Today Bookmark
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Just for today I will try to live through this day only, and not tackle all my problems at
once. I can do something for 12 hours that would appall me if I felt that I had to keep it
up for a lifetime.
Just for today I will be happy. This assumes to be true what Abraham Lincoln said, that
"Most folks are as happy as they make up their minds to he."
Just for today I will adjust myself to what is, and not try to adjust everything to my own
desires. I will take my luck" as it comes, and fit myself to it.
Just for today I will try to strengthen my mind. I will study. I will learn something useful. I
will not be a mental loafer. I will read something that requires effort, thought and
concentration.
Just for today I will exercise my soul in three ways: I will do somebody a good turn, and
not get found out; if anybody knows of it, it will not count. I will do at least two things I
don't want to do — just for exercise. I will not show anyone that my feelings are hurt;
they may be hurt, but today I will not show it.
Just for today I will be agreeable. I will look as well as I can, dress becomingly, keep my
voice low, be courteous, criticize not one bit. I won't find fault with anything, nor try to
improve or regulate anybody but myself.
Just for today I will have a program. I may not follow it exactly, but I will have it. I will
save myself from two pests: hurry and indecision.
Just for today I will have a quiet half hour all by myself and relax. During this half hour,
sometime, I will try to get a better perspective of my life.
Just for today I will be unafraid. Especially I will not be afraid to enjoy what is beautiful
and to believe that as I give to the world, so the world will give to me.
PRAYER FOR TODAY
Lord, make me an instrument of Thy peace.
Where there is hatred, let me sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
and where there is sadness, joy.
O, Divine Master, grant that I may not so much seek to be consoled, as to console; to be
understood as to understand; to be loved, as to love; for it is in giving that we receive; it is in
pardoning that we are pardoned, and it is in dying that we are born to eternal life.
Just for Today Bookmark
Al-Anon Family Group
Headquarters, Inc.
1600 Corporate Landing Parkway
Virginia Beach, VA 23454-5617
Phone: (757) 563-1600 Fax: (757) 563-1656
wso@al-anon.org
al-anon.org
07-01
M-78
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