Help!!! problem with sharing

Hello there. I'm Tari and I'm an alcohol/addict. I am very grateful for the program of AA. I feel that I get great benefits from the meetings and the fellowship. I have a question though...Is not being able to speak up about the topic during a discussion a character defect. I can read and talk to everyone one on one, but I panic when I can't speak out. They are telling me I need to share more. I get huge anxiety about it during the meeting. I feel like I'm not doing my "job" in AA. How do I get over this insecurity?

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Permalink Reply by Rachel H. on September 28, 2009 at 7:56am

Wow, that is SO me, scared to death to share in meetings. But I make myself share anyway. Sometimes it comes out like I want and sometimes not. I find that if I share at the very beginning of the meeting, I can then relax and really listen to what everybody else is sharing, instead of worrying and panicking about what I'm gonna say. I'm hoping that one day it will just flow out of me naturally. I'm pretty new in sobriety (picked up my 8 month chip last night), but I can say that it IS getting easier each time I share. And it helps to just say it and get it out there that I'm nervous and not comfortable speaking in front of a group of people. I'm loved and accepted anyway.

Rachel H. :)

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Permalink Reply by Sharon Jones on October 7, 2009 at 9:47pm

Pray on it. You will speak when you are ready. Sharing gives you a sense of freedom to let go of some of the things that you are holding back. . . .

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Permalink Reply by Jimmy P. on October 11, 2009 at 5:40am

When I saw the head line I had to chekc into this because I suffer from the same thing. I try to share a little at every meeting, but sometimes I don't have anything to say. I try to stick with the Big Book and my experience. I still get real nervous, but it get's a little better the more I do it.

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Permalink Reply by Madeline Michelle Mayse on October 11, 2009 at 6:33pm

Hello Tara,
We all have our gifts in recovery. For some it's sharing for others it's one on one and alot both. I always ask God for guidance when in a meeting and if something comes to me it does if not I don't share. So maybe if you ask your higher power for guidance it might help...that's great you shared tonight just saw your other post.