Our stories of recovery are the glue that binds us together. We need to hear each other’s experiences so that we know that we belong, and that we are not alone. At this weekend’s “Becoming Your Own Loving Parent” workshop, you will hear from Esau, a recovering ACA from California. Esau is one of the experienced and talented workshop facilitators you will be meeting this Sunday. Here is his story:
“I found the rooms of ACA over four and a half years ago. Walking away from a series of failed relationships lead me to a place where I finally had to ask the question why? Why were my relationships failing? Not only my romantic ones, but my social, professional, familial, and the most important, the relationship with myself. In finding the rooms, finding a sponsor (whom is still my sponsor to this day), finding a fellowship, and finding the 12 steps I began to realize the answers to my questions that started with the question “why?”. In working the 12 steps, within the safety of the rooms, so much was revealed to me about my history and its effect on me in my formative years, and how it has manifested in my adult life. Following the wisdom of the program I picked up the phone, worked the steps, and involved myself in being of service. Within 6 months I started my own meeting in my local area. I joined ACA committees responsible for helping to carry the message to those that suffer in different ways. After a couple of years of much needed healing and spiritual growth I began to sponsor. My journey eventually carried me into a chapter within the BRB that would transform my recovery in a different way. Ch. 8 “Becoming Your Own Loving Parent”. I fell in love with the chapter and its potential. My experiences with the chapter inspired me to carry its specific message in my own words. I developed a workshop that I have since been delivering throughout the fellowship in Southern California and have just recently had the honor of delivering at the ACA World Convention in Toronto, Canada. The gifts of this powerful chapter continue to present themselves for me and many others who share in its fruits. I reside in Southern California, attend my wonderful home group every week and speak to my sponsor weekly as has been my pleasure for the last few years. I am a gratefully recovering ACA who has truly embraced the way of the program as it promised I would “from hurting, to healing, to helping”. “ ~Esau
