u/Intercaust

Because of your advice, wise counsel and some meditation, I have decided it's time to step down from the meeting I've been running. There was a lot of fear keeping me from taking this step. I've been running this meeting for many years and it's been the greatest joy of my life. I shouldn't let the fear of losing the joy that I have keep me from moving onto something else. I don't know if anyone will step up to take over the meeting but it's definitely time for me to find another service commitment. I think there's an opening in HNI since the last guy recently OD'd and died. I'm sure I'll find something. When you live in a rural area there's a lot of openings. Pray for me and God bless.

I secretary a meeting that I've run for many years. I like to crack jokes(not by interrupting people or clowning on anyone) and try to keep it positive and lighthearted. We have a format that we read and I occasionally will add a few words to make a joke(only when I read the meeting format, not when I read How It Works or The 12 Traditions, etc) because people just zone out during the beginning of the meeting and it helps get their attention. Most people who come dont seem to have a problem with it but there is a couple who every time they share, when I secretary a meeting, it's some kind of complaint about how "some people" (me) dont do things exactly as written and how they hate "chaos." They dont like my jokes and lighthearted comments and they're becoming more overt in their criticism of me. It has never bothered me until tonight. I really love and respect this couple and I dont want to make anyone uncomfortable. I guess what's different about tonight is their shares tonight went as far as making it sound like my "comic relief" is somehow keeping people from staying sober. That the "structure" of the meeting is of ultimate importance and any deviation is harming people in the program. I dont want anything I do to keep people sick so it's really got me feeling shitty. My question to you all is - am I the ass hole?