A Dream Come True, Sober.
.
My last depressive phase really took a lot out of me and it affected my motivation. I really have not been motivated to write or do much of anything else in several weeks. On the other hand one of the greatest gifts that sobriety makes possible is it allows me to continue moving forward regardless of how I feel. So, when I booked my first workshop as a presenter I put myself on the line on so many fronts. I have been wanting to do a professional workshop for several years now and it was a big deal. The last time I tried I was not sober and the pressure got to me so bad that I went on a major binge that cost me the greatest job I ever had and caused a lot of people to deal with the consequences of believing in me. I hurt many people because of my drinking within my profession. That was back in January of 2009.
I am a sign language interpreter and I am one of the 5% of Americans who love their job. I am also a recovering alcoholic who finally got it! Early on in my career I realized that I could make an impact in others lives due to being an interpreter and an alcoholic in recovery by presenting a workshop to interpreters on how to interpret in the 12 step setting. This would do several things for me. First it would be great service work for the rooms of AA. Second, it would keep me working on my sobriety by giving back what was freely given to me. Third, I would be giving something back to the Deaf Community. Fourth, I would be giving back to my profession. Most importantly it would bring down some barriers Deaf Alcoholics face in getting the message in their own language. For me and millions more it is easy to get the life saving message of AA. All we have to do is walk in and sit in a room where a meeting is being held, not so easy for the Deaf Alcoholic.
To know that I could help a group of alcoholics get the message to easily accessible means a great deal to me. I know for myself that getting the message was the easiest part of my recovery, for the Deaf it is the greatest challenge they will face outside of their own minds, stinking thinking.
So, because I am sober I was able to present my workshop at community college in my home town to a group of interns and staff. I had my challenges, but with the support of AA and my professional mentors, Julie & Houston I was able to accomplish a dream I was not sure would ever come to pass.
I will say that I was scared and unsure of myself. I did not know if I would come across as a professional in my field and more importantly as an expert worth listening to. What I did was I worked as hard as I could and stayed in the moment of the days leading up to the workshop. I contacted my sponsor and my mentors when I felt overwhelmed or just needed some reassurance. I'd sit and meditate and allow my feeling to take their course. Most importantly I followed my desire, to be of service to those in my profession and to AA. I know this work is important because it can save lives. To be frank it has saved mine in more ways I ever thought possible.
Now, I am looking at expanding my workshop from 3 hours to a day and a two day workshop. I also have plans to write an educational book for interpreters since we don't have one for working in 12 step settings.
Fantasies are unattainable, but sobriety makes them into dreams that are attainable. I know, I lived one just the other day.
My last depressive phase really took a lot out of me and it affected my motivation. I really have not been motivated to write or do much of anything else in several weeks. On the other hand one of the greatest gifts that sobriety makes possible is it allows me to continue moving forward regardless of how I feel. So, when I booked my first workshop as a presenter I put myself on the line on so many fronts. I have been wanting to do a professional workshop for several years now and it was a big deal. The last time I tried I was not sober and the pressure got to me so bad that I went on a major binge that cost me the greatest job I ever had and caused a lot of people to deal with the consequences of believing in me. I hurt many people because of my drinking within my profession. That was back in January of 2009.
I am a sign language interpreter and I am one of the 5% of Americans who love their job. I am also a recovering alcoholic who finally got it! Early on in my career I realized that I could make an impact in others lives due to being an interpreter and an alcoholic in recovery by presenting a workshop to interpreters on how to interpret in the 12 step setting. This would do several things for me. First it would be great service work for the rooms of AA. Second, it would keep me working on my sobriety by giving back what was freely given to me. Third, I would be giving something back to the Deaf Community. Fourth, I would be giving back to my profession. Most importantly it would bring down some barriers Deaf Alcoholics face in getting the message in their own language. For me and millions more it is easy to get the life saving message of AA. All we have to do is walk in and sit in a room where a meeting is being held, not so easy for the Deaf Alcoholic.
To know that I could help a group of alcoholics get the message to easily accessible means a great deal to me. I know for myself that getting the message was the easiest part of my recovery, for the Deaf it is the greatest challenge they will face outside of their own minds, stinking thinking.
So, because I am sober I was able to present my workshop at community college in my home town to a group of interns and staff. I had my challenges, but with the support of AA and my professional mentors, Julie & Houston I was able to accomplish a dream I was not sure would ever come to pass.
I will say that I was scared and unsure of myself. I did not know if I would come across as a professional in my field and more importantly as an expert worth listening to. What I did was I worked as hard as I could and stayed in the moment of the days leading up to the workshop. I contacted my sponsor and my mentors when I felt overwhelmed or just needed some reassurance. I'd sit and meditate and allow my feeling to take their course. Most importantly I followed my desire, to be of service to those in my profession and to AA. I know this work is important because it can save lives. To be frank it has saved mine in more ways I ever thought possible.
Now, I am looking at expanding my workshop from 3 hours to a day and a two day workshop. I also have plans to write an educational book for interpreters since we don't have one for working in 12 step settings.
Fantasies are unattainable, but sobriety makes them into dreams that are attainable. I know, I lived one just the other day.
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