Shopping For a Sponsor

It took many years (and many relapses) before I understood the value of sponsorship. I had to learn the hard way that the word "I" does not exist in the Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous. I was my own sponsor for many years, and I got the results one might expect: repeated relapses, much frustration, and a deep sense of failure. I did not find the happiness, sense of purpose, and joy I heard about from others in Alcoholics Anonymous until I surrendered, and we (my sponsors and I) started to walk this journey together.