Morning Circle by Ben D – Gatehouse Academy Resident
Its 9:30 and I have just arrived to the Peco building for our hour of great lectures, inspirational talk and interesting direction. It is circle time today, as it is every day during the week at this time. A different Gatehouse Academy staff member runs it every day which gives me a different perspective on life and the awareness I need to gain for myself to remain and keep myself sober. When we want to say something or get called on or are involved in the confrontation, concern or affirmation we need to stand up. When we get confronted we are not allowed to say anything at that point nor for the next twenty-four hours and think about it. I enjoy circle with the confrontations that we do, for ourselves, so that we do not hold resentments towards one another. Concerns for one another so that we can look at how we are acting, what our attitude might just be and to just let the other person know that we care for their sobriety. People may also concern themselves so they can let the rest of the community know what is troubling them and ask for help regarding their concern and experience’s they have had. Confessions I like to hear and do because it helps the person clean their plate and start fresh. It helps the person get honest and learn how good it feels to come clean with whatever they have done and continued to think about. It also helps other’s know what is going on so they can keep the person accountable as well.
Affirmations are the things that make people very happy and close during circle I believe. It lets the community affirm each other and to thank one another for the help they have been granting one another. It’s a time that doesn’t happen very often in circle, but when it happens everyone gets excited. Then there are announcements which are to let the community know what is going on in the community with extra curricular activities or whatever else it may be. Now the other thing that happens during announcements is the ban’s that people ask off of. This may be any ban someone gets on for excessive behaviors or inappropriate things that may be going on. They get up in front of the community and ask off pretty much and then the community replies with feedback, then we vote on whether or not the person has held up to the commitment.
Circle is something I look forward too every day. I learn life long knowledge and in return once I live it, it becomes wisdom to help others out with what I have learned. Each staff member has something every circle that will keep me alive and I am extremely grateful for that.
Ben D. is a long term drug rehab resident at Gatehouse Academy
