Comments on: What Are We Telling The Newcomer? http://www.blisstree.com/articles/what-are-we-telling-the-newcomer-16/ Family, Health, Home and Lifestyles Fri, 25 Dec 2009 04:37:37 -0500 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.8.4 hourly 1 By: Oliver http://www.blisstree.com/articles/what-are-we-telling-the-newcomer-16/comment-page-1/#comment-1985 Oliver Tue, 29 Jul 2008 22:27:18 +0000 http://www.adozensteps.com/what-are-we-telling-the-newcomer/#comment-1985 before I came to AA I had known that alcoholism was progressive, and knew that after stopping for a few years it's worse than it was before. So I suspected I might be an alcoholic... I remember someone saying the word "resentment" and thinking: "so that's what they call it". I knew straight away that they would understand me. I didn't like to see the G-word on the scrolls, my diseased mind zeroed straight in on that! :-) But the guy who did the chair was inexplicably sane and humble, there was something about him that just didn't add up. He had been a homeless street-drinker for seven years and now he had this glow about him and spoke so calmly and peacefully. Some weeks later he took me through the steps. before I came to AA I had known that alcoholism was progressive, and knew that after stopping for a few years it’s worse than it was before. So I suspected I might be an alcoholic… I remember someone saying the word “resentment” and thinking: “so that’s what they call it”. I knew straight away that they would understand me. I didn’t like to see the G-word on the scrolls, my diseased mind zeroed straight in on that! :-)

But the guy who did the chair was inexplicably sane and humble, there was something about him that just didn’t add up. He had been a homeless street-drinker for seven years and now he had this glow about him and spoke so calmly and peacefully. Some weeks later he took me through the steps.

]]> By: indistinct http://www.blisstree.com/articles/what-are-we-telling-the-newcomer-16/comment-page-1/#comment-2020 indistinct Tue, 29 Jul 2008 13:48:02 +0000 http://www.adozensteps.com/what-are-we-telling-the-newcomer/#comment-2020 What do I remember the most about my first meeting. I was so scared. Don't remember anything except I wanted to get out of there. I forced myself to stay and talk to someone afterwards. First person I tried, refused to take my hand shake. Now I was fearful and angry. A drunk. I am so glad I'm still in AA. Staying sober, one day at a time. Funny thing about newcomers, they always are willing to shake my hand. What do I remember the most about my first meeting. I was so scared. Don’t remember anything except I wanted to get out of there. I forced myself to stay and talk to someone afterwards. First person I tried, refused to take my hand shake. Now I was fearful and angry. A drunk.

I am so glad I’m still in AA. Staying sober, one day at a time. Funny thing about newcomers, they always are willing to shake my hand.

]]> By: Mark http://www.blisstree.com/articles/what-are-we-telling-the-newcomer-16/comment-page-1/#comment-2026 Mark Mon, 28 Jul 2008 23:02:05 +0000 http://www.adozensteps.com/what-are-we-telling-the-newcomer/#comment-2026 Aaaah - Linda, my friend, givin' it my best shot :) Though they probably don't realize it, they're worth it. Guess who I mean? Aaaah – Linda, my friend, givin’ it my best shot :)

Though they probably don’t realize it, they’re worth it. Guess who I mean?

]]> By: Mark http://www.blisstree.com/articles/what-are-we-telling-the-newcomer-16/comment-page-1/#comment-2025 Mark Mon, 28 Jul 2008 23:00:55 +0000 http://www.adozensteps.com/what-are-we-telling-the-newcomer/#comment-2025 Thanks Dave :) Thanks Dave :)

]]> By: Linda http://www.blisstree.com/articles/what-are-we-telling-the-newcomer-16/comment-page-1/#comment-2005 Linda Mon, 28 Jul 2008 19:32:52 +0000 http://www.adozensteps.com/what-are-we-telling-the-newcomer/#comment-2005 Thanks for a vivid reminder of my first meeting. Not only did I not care what you said I also thought there was not a person sitting there who had not shot a bag that day. I do not remember my first day and hell I have only a vague recollection of my first year. Many people remind of my clean date. I did not know nor cared I had a disease. I thought I just was a junkie and was born that way. I just wanted to stop the pain suffering and I was tired so tired Mark. Thanks for the brutal and blunt honesty. God knows that we need it here Thanks for a vivid reminder of my first meeting. Not only did I not care what you said I also thought there was not a person sitting there who had not shot a bag that day. I do not remember my first day and hell I have only a vague recollection of my first year. Many people remind of my clean date. I did not know nor cared I had a disease. I thought I just was a junkie and was born that way. I just wanted to stop the pain suffering and I was tired so tired Mark. Thanks for the brutal and blunt honesty. God knows that we need it here

]]> By: Dave http://www.blisstree.com/articles/what-are-we-telling-the-newcomer-16/comment-page-1/#comment-1996 Dave Mon, 28 Jul 2008 16:29:26 +0000 http://www.adozensteps.com/what-are-we-telling-the-newcomer/#comment-1996 Food for thought. Quite tasty, in fact. Food for thought. Quite tasty, in fact.

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