Newbies Nest
Good Morning All,
Patrick - I just sat down to say hello to the folks in Newbies Nest and found your apology, which is very thoughtful and generous. Thank you!! Really, no apology is needed. Communication can be challenging. I have read that the most significant "clues" as to what someone is trying to say is in their tone of voice and body language. Obviously, those clues are missing with online communication. What you heard when you saw the word "hover" is not what I meant.
Speaking of "tone of voice and body language," I host a weekly get-together for a small group of women who have quit drinking alcohol or are sincerely trying to quit. It started a couple of months ago when a neighbor asked how I had lost so much weight so quickly. I explained that I had stopped drinking alcohol at the beginning of the year and, at the same time, had started practicing yoga nearly every day. She confided that she was trying to quit drinking too. We visited a couple of times in my home. Then she asked if a friend could join us. From there we have grown to a group of five.
I developed a few basic guidelines: We are honest, transparent, and respectful of each individual within the group. We do not gather together to judge one another. We start and stop on time (so that people are not coming and going when someone is talking). We each talk about whatever we want, without being interrupted. We each then talk again, which gives the opportunity to offer support or advice or to ask for clarification. We laugh and cry and admit that at times we just want to pound our heads against a wall. To stop drinking alcohol is no small feat. At the end of our get-together we decide if we want to meet again. So far we do! We then find a time in our busy schedules that works for all in the group. People are making amazing progress.
This get-together is not a substitute for all of the other help that is available to people who are getting sober. Two group members attend daily AA meetings. One member receives support online. Another meets weekly with a counselor. I practice yoga, meditation, and attempt to live a healthy lifestyle. I would like to be part of Newbies Nest. I just need to improve my writing skills so that I am clearly "saying" what I really intend to say.
Many thanks to all of you who have welcomed me back. Hugs all around!!
I sincerely hope that this is a delightful alcohol free weekend for All in The Nest. Weekends can be rough. Please know that you are supported and loved. :hug:
Patrick;1504110 wrote: Hi Tess
To be fair I was only responding to what(to me) seemed to be a sweeping generalization and as this was not the case I humbly apologize if I caused you any offence .i also think you should consider outing the cowards for the slimeballs that they are.It would be a shame if people like that got away with that sort of behavior and pushed newcomers out.I have always found you a helpful and inspiring poster and it would be a great pity if the slimeballs drove you away.
To be fair I was only responding to what(to me) seemed to be a sweeping generalization and as this was not the case I humbly apologize if I caused you any offence .i also think you should consider outing the cowards for the slimeballs that they are.It would be a shame if people like that got away with that sort of behavior and pushed newcomers out.I have always found you a helpful and inspiring poster and it would be a great pity if the slimeballs drove you away.
Patrick - I just sat down to say hello to the folks in Newbies Nest and found your apology, which is very thoughtful and generous. Thank you!! Really, no apology is needed. Communication can be challenging. I have read that the most significant "clues" as to what someone is trying to say is in their tone of voice and body language. Obviously, those clues are missing with online communication. What you heard when you saw the word "hover" is not what I meant.
Speaking of "tone of voice and body language," I host a weekly get-together for a small group of women who have quit drinking alcohol or are sincerely trying to quit. It started a couple of months ago when a neighbor asked how I had lost so much weight so quickly. I explained that I had stopped drinking alcohol at the beginning of the year and, at the same time, had started practicing yoga nearly every day. She confided that she was trying to quit drinking too. We visited a couple of times in my home. Then she asked if a friend could join us. From there we have grown to a group of five.
I developed a few basic guidelines: We are honest, transparent, and respectful of each individual within the group. We do not gather together to judge one another. We start and stop on time (so that people are not coming and going when someone is talking). We each talk about whatever we want, without being interrupted. We each then talk again, which gives the opportunity to offer support or advice or to ask for clarification. We laugh and cry and admit that at times we just want to pound our heads against a wall. To stop drinking alcohol is no small feat. At the end of our get-together we decide if we want to meet again. So far we do! We then find a time in our busy schedules that works for all in the group. People are making amazing progress.
This get-together is not a substitute for all of the other help that is available to people who are getting sober. Two group members attend daily AA meetings. One member receives support online. Another meets weekly with a counselor. I practice yoga, meditation, and attempt to live a healthy lifestyle. I would like to be part of Newbies Nest. I just need to improve my writing skills so that I am clearly "saying" what I really intend to say.
Many thanks to all of you who have welcomed me back. Hugs all around!!
I sincerely hope that this is a delightful alcohol free weekend for All in The Nest. Weekends can be rough. Please know that you are supported and loved. :hug:
!! Things seemed to be going well for you (and it turns out they were 
) but I couldn't imagine what could have happened to you. By that point I had realized that staying active on MWO was going to be critical if I was to have any chance of succeeding. So... your leaving made me concerned that you had returned to drinking. This might sound odd since you probably haven't read many, if any, of my posts and don't 'know' me, but I've thought of you often as my days have increased, been concerned about you, and now am just thrilled to learn that you have > 130 days AF!!! 
Comment