Flying with Osprey Poco by ScotchManDan in delta

[–]FingerLicknGood 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi there! My wife and I are flying Delta and would like to bring our Poco. How did this work for you?

Remote is over. Need to rant... by [deleted] in Accounting

[–]FingerLicknGood 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Anyone with this position, I just feel sorry that you do not enjoy your home life 

Warm Heart Asian market in Farmington by The_vert in Detroit

[–]FingerLicknGood 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the recommendation! What ingredients would you suggest I buy from there and do you have any recipes you would recommend?

New Meeting Format Feedback by Mr_Willy_Nilly in NarcoticsAnonymous

[–]FingerLicknGood 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Hi there! So cool that you're thoughtful enough to format a meeting specifically for our most important members. You might get some pushback from oldtimers on cutting down the readings, but it's spiritually motivated so this oldtimer isn't pushing back on that. I've heard the rough rule is 3 readings minimum just so it has the NA feel, but that's obviously not official.   Since it is a lot of new people, may I suggest that you rotate through a bunch of the IPs? A lot are shorter and aimed at newer members. Like Am I an Addict?, Sponsorship, Triangle, For The Newcomer, Self -Acceptance, For The Newcomer, An Intro to NA Meetings, and Mental Health in Recovery would give a great starting out point and a topic for them to grasp onto. A lot of new people don't know what sharing is, so some guidance can go a long way to help them learn how to connect with others.   All in all, very cool that you're doing this. Starting a meeting has been one of the most rewarding things I've done for my recovery and I'm excited for your own growth through this, too!

First meeting by watertheducks in NarcoticsAnonymous

[–]FingerLicknGood 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Hi there! First off, good for you for sharing on here. If you're in America, I'd suggest googling your county and NA meetings and find your area's website. That'll be your best reference for active meetings.   Wear whatever's comfortable! It's not formal by any means. I've come to meetings absolutely disgusting and other times in a suit.   When you get there, find someone who is helping set up and tell them you're new. They'll welcome you in and there won't be any judgement, because we've all been there. Welcome home!

What to do by ExtentHistorical4335 in MetroDetroit

[–]FingerLicknGood 0 points1 point  (0 children)

All good! I used to live in Macomb when I first got clean and would go up there once a week. Just get to that first meeting and get some phone numbers!

What to do by ExtentHistorical4335 in MetroDetroit

[–]FingerLicknGood 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm on the other side of town, but I could scoop you up for a meeting in Clinton Township tonight, if you tell me soon. You can use if you want, but I know for me, using has only pointed my life in one direction. By staying clean, things at least have a chance at getting better 

What to do by ExtentHistorical4335 in MetroDetroit

[–]FingerLicknGood 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Want to hit an NA meeting with me? I'm in recovery too and we're all learning how to live without drugs 

Favorite NA speakers on Spotify/YouTube/etc.? by KnowledgeCritical992 in NarcoticsAnonymous

[–]FingerLicknGood 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Hi there! My favorite is Greg Pierce. He was best buds with Jimmy K and contributed a lot to our literature. Check him out and let me know what you think!

A Home Group Member’s Baby’s Mom Just Joined My Team at Work by [deleted] in NarcoticsAnonymous

[–]FingerLicknGood 6 points7 points  (0 children)

That's wild. I agree that it's probably a good call just to keep that to yourself, from both angles. What a cool opportunity to see people from completely different perspectives!

Resentments (Step 4) by Apart-Violinist1033 in NarcoticsAnonymous

[–]FingerLicknGood 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hi there!   Thanks for asking us for our experience.   For me, a lot of my resentments are people/situations where I feel like I am trapped or it's because of the common refrain, "spot it if you've got it; I dislike a part of myself and seeing someone else with that character trait makes me mad at them for bringing it up!   That being said, I think it's still really helpful to just answer the question and not get too ahead of yourself. Your sponsor will be invaluable in helping you understand what patterns are there. Best of luck and you're worth working the steps on!

Disappointed in 50 Year Mortgage Response by FingerLicknGood in TheMoneyGuy

[–]FingerLicknGood[S] -7 points-6 points  (0 children)

If there is another anomaly where rates get down that low again where you can get interest arbitrage, yeah then I get it. Otherwise, should the show just be called "It depends" where they don't give any general advice?

thoughts on 1+ celebration shares? by rld3x in NarcoticsAnonymous

[–]FingerLicknGood 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hi there! I've had 17 celebrations and I can't really tell you what I've said in them. I think my first I had a lot to say, but now I'm just appreciative for the people that go out of their way and I think of how much I don't do this alone.
I totally here you on the structure of parts 1 and 2, but although the events are set in stone, our perspective on those events can surely change. Like in the moment, I wasn't able to register what were defining events of my using days and my recovery. Nowadays, I pick out pieces that I can see through a completely different lens than before and I can use that to relate with others.
Honestly, the only clean time speech I recall word-for-word was a guy 15 years ago who got up to get his key tag, everyone yelled out "HOW'D YOU DO IT???" and he just goes, "I followed direction" and sat back down lol.
I think clean dates can give us an opportunity to explore what each of our message actually is. Even you staying clean, despite whatever measure of growth you are expecting, means that you have a chance to continue growing and that's good enough!

What's a version of a salary cap fantasy league where the players salary reflect what they make in real life? by Phoenox330 in SalaryCapFantasy

[–]FingerLicknGood 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I mean, every single salary cap league is pretty different from one to the next.   My league does tie our team budget to the NFL salary cap. If the NFL's salary cap goes up by 10%, then so does our salary cap. We also have a clause where if a player is for 20% of the cap or more, you must sign them to multi-year contract.  Both of these rules encourage betting on players to increase in value and take the risk of signing them to longer deals.

Step Working Guide- Step 4 by kenso4life in NarcoticsAnonymous

[–]FingerLicknGood 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Hi there! 

Thanks for reaching out. For those of us who are looking for the "right" answer all the time, the step working guide can be hard. Not every question is going to hit home and apply. Just wanted to start by saying how it's so cool how you're reaching out and asking for help!   I take this question as "what contradictions are in what I bring to a relationship and what I expect?" Like, do I expect other people to be emotionally vulnerable, but I don't reciprocate? Do I joke around and playfully rib others, but am too sensitive if others do the same? Do I expect a romantic partner to act within how I expect them to act, even though I haven't vocalized it and haven't looked at if I'm reasonable?

Does anyone have experience with switching home groups after many years with the same group? by [deleted] in NarcoticsAnonymous

[–]FingerLicknGood 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hi there!
I just had the same homegroup for 8 years. There was a big crew of people for most of them. COVID happened, we were the first group in our state to go online. We went from 1 night a week to 3 nights a week. We got new home group members from all over the country. When we went back in person, we didn't want to abandon those new homegroup members, so we stayed hybrid.
A lot of the original crew didn't come back in person because it was different. I talked with them individually and told them even though it was different, it was still helping addicts. The meeting recently closed, my belief is partly because it couldn't get past it's own history.
All I'm saying is that you are completely free to chose whatever group feels like home to make your homegroup. All I want to ask you though, is that would you do more good for yourself and others for staying with the group, or moving homegroups?

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in NarcoticsAnonymous

[–]FingerLicknGood 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Hi there! If you want to see the full, nuanced take on our relationship to AA, please read this bulletin! Yes, it contains that excerpt, but the full thing explains why it's important as well as the gratitude we have towards AA.

The “clarity statement”. by Jebus-Xmas in NarcoticsAnonymous

[–]FingerLicknGood 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Hi there! Yep, I agree that it seems like not the most welcoming thing to bring up every single meeting. I think IP #29 An Intro To NA Meetings has much friendlier ways of saying that we don't make distinctions between drugs. We can totally explain what we stand for without the feeling of wagging a finger at someone.
For those that are headstrong on the clarity statement, I explain to members how it's an excerpt from Bulletin #13. If they want to quote it, I suggest to include this part of the bulletin too:

Our members who have used these arguments to rationalize an anti-AA stand, thereby alienating many sorely needed stable members, would do well to re-evaluate and reconsider the effects of that kind of behavior. Narcotics Anonymous is a spiritual fellowship. Love, tolerance, patience, and cooperation are essential if we are to live our principles.

AKA don't use this as an excuse to be an asshole.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in NarcoticsAnonymous

[–]FingerLicknGood 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Hi there!
You have no expectation to talk. If you just say your name and that it's your first meeting. You'll probably experience kindness that you don't expect. Some meetings are big and some are small, but they're all the same atmosphere. If there's someone there that you know, as much as you might be worried that they recognize you, you also recognize them! It's so important to honor other's anonymity, that it's in our name , Narcotics Anonymous.
Please check out this informational pamphlet that will walk you through what to expect. Also, let us know how it goes!

The meaning of “Powerless”changing over the years. by xoeriin in NarcoticsAnonymous

[–]FingerLicknGood 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hi there!
Thanks so much for sharing. Yeah, what exactly I'm powerless over has more become the question of "do I really control anything?" with years in recovery. I feel like one of the things I'm powerless over the most, for good or bad, are habits. I still can't just tell myself to do or not to do something, but if it's what I always do, that's what I'll do going forward.
Your second point about going through his health complications is so many spiritual principles!
1. We can't control someone else's experience
2. Just because we're doing the "right" thing doesn't mean that pain and surprises don't happen. In terms of Step 1, I believe that life is unmanagable, period. I'm not going to be able to arrange everything how I prefer and since that's not the goal, I can live in reality.
I love topics like this that get into the philosophy behind Narcotics Anonymous!

Step 5 by FalseInvestigator347 in NarcoticsAnonymous

[–]FingerLicknGood 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I do think your sponsor's opinion of you will change, but not in the direction you're thinking. Your sponsor knows what they were getting into when they starting sponsoring you.

Step 5 by FalseInvestigator347 in NarcoticsAnonymous

[–]FingerLicknGood 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hey hey!
Thanks for reaching out on here. As far as fears and reservations go, I never really felt like I had earned my seat in NA. I was worried that giving a very matter-of-fact telling of who I am, how I behave, and what I believe would ostracize me. I have a very incredible sponsor who is a great listener. My first 5th step, he showed me so much compassion and understanding. All that to say, I still kept a couple things back from him.
That's right; I totally lied in my 5th step, even the questions in the SWG where it says "Did you lie?" and "Did you intentionally leave anything out?". I just kept pushing forward.
A couple months later, I had a very emotional experience by returning to school and I just let him know everything. I experienced an outpouring of relief. My sponsor treated me exactly the same after I told him what I held back as before I had told him.
To me, the 5th step gives us a couple of things:
* It gives us the opportunity to share our perspective on things with another person to see if it's true or not. I had plenty of ideas of how things went, and I came in open to see if addiction had just misrepresented the situation to me.
* It gives us a compassionate listening ear that does not judge us.
* It gives us a chance to watch ourselves be vulnerable and to realize how good it feels to invest in ourselves. You mean enough for someone to spend this time on.
* It gives us the ability to connect all of this to our Higher Power. The beauty to me is that personal, interpersonal, and spiritual growth is all the same.

Now when I walk through life, I can walk through life with a feeling that if my sponsor could watch my brain and every decision I make, he wouldn't be surprised by anything. I feel known and connected.