Tag Archives: Alcohol

Circles

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I was in a meeting the other night. The topic was the Daily Reflections from February 21 titled “I’m Part Of The Whole.”

The reflection talks about “they” and “them.” Meaning the people we meet in an AA meeting. Most of us agree we did not want to be a part of “them.”

I shared, I did not want to meet any of “them”, be friends with any of “them” or sit in a circle with any of “them.”

Come to find out, I was not alone in this way of thinking. People tend to stereotype alcoholics as the bum lying in an alley or someone sitting on the same bar stool every night.

I found out early on after attending one of my first in person meetings that this is not the case. I looked around at the numerous people surrounding me. I also noticed they were of all ages, races and types of people. They were not all bums or even old men sitting in a circle. In fact, I was quite sure I must have shopped with many of them at the local Wal-Mart.

I learned some have small children, others grandchildren. There are teachers, nurses and clergy men. Alcoholism is not partial. It will take anyone. It will kill anyone.

AA is a WE program. Each one helps the other to stay sober. In doing so we become part of a whole.

A circle is continuous. It is whole. WE are the circle.

At once, I became a part – if only a tiny part – of a cosmos…

-AS BILL SEES IT, p. 225

Shipwreck

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During a recent meeting, we talked about unity. I enjoy the fellowship with people who understand my journey. Most non-alcoholics will not get the struggle we AAs live with on a daily basis.

One gentleman describes our alcoholism as a shipwreck. Some of us are hanging on in lifeboats. Some are drowning in the sea. Some will change lifeboats along the way, while others huddle in the same boat clutching a life preserver.

Still others jump into the sea. Some are picked up again while others are not. All are welcome in the lifeboats and are never cast out. The choice to try and swim the cold, shark infested waters is ours.

Yes, it is a scary journey, but one we do not have to endure alone. The sea is vast, and it is wonderful to know that if we fall overboard, there is always a hand to pull us back in again.

As we row along, we share stories and adventures. We take care to look for those treading water. Using all our power, we pull the one overboard to safety. In doing so, we save ourselves.

 

“I am responsible.

When anyone, anywhere, reaches out for help, I want the hand of AA always to be there.

And for that I am responsible.”

60 Days

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I would like to say this time went by fast and in some respects it has. Sixty 24 hour days takes a awhile, along with a lot of work. An average of 180 meetings, many shares and a few tears adds up to a clear mind with a purpose.

I find happiness and comfort every time I read “How It Works” or “The Promises” during a meeting. I was able to do chips today and yes the stage fright was apparent, but I got through and you know, “Practice Makes Perfect Humility.”

Two months ago if someone would have told me my world would be filled with wonderful friends and a real chance to live in a sober world, I would have spewed negativity. And I did.

Today, I stay in the middle of the herd, practice kindness and listen to my higher power. It is not easy.

I Am Grateful

for AA

for serenity

for knowledge

for forgiveness

for understanding

 

The Promises

Chapter 6, Page 83-84 of the book, Alcoholics Anonymous

If we are painstaking about this phase of our development, we will be amazed
before we are half way through. We are going to know a new freedom and a new
happiness. We will not regret the past nor wish to shut the door on it. We will
comprehend the word serenity and we will know peace. No matter how far down
the scale we have gone, we will see how our experience can benefit others. That
feeling of uselessness and self pity will disappear. We will lose interest in selfish
things and gain interest in our fellows. Self-seeking will slip away. Our whole
attitude and outlook upon life will change. Fear of people and of economic
insecurity will leave us. We will intuitively know how to handle situations which
used to baffle us. We will suddenly realize that God is doing for us what we could
not do for ourselves.
Are these extravagant promises? We think not. They are being fulfilled among us
—sometimes quickly, sometimes slowly. They will always materialize if we work for them

Work Work Work