Dr. Bob made many profound statements about recovery during a time when technology wasn’t really up to the task of recording him.
This is but one paragraph of his written words from the A.A. Grapevine printed in September, 1948 which clearly demonstrates his devotion and commitment to A.A.’s”original,” God-based “design for living.” [Back To Basics - The Alcoholics Anonymous Beginners Meetings, pgs. 163-164]
“As finally expressed and offered, they [the Twelve Steps] are simple in language, plain in meaning. They are workable by any person having a sincere desire to obtain and keep sobriety. The results are the proof. Their simplicity and …read more

Having searched through my alky mind for a quick-witted response to our neighborhood troll Micky/David/Patrick/Whatever and his insanity/stupidity, coming up with nothing more than immaturity on my part, I began looking around some of my “favorite” places and found Barefoots’ Place once again.
Thought about referring to The Akron Manual which was reprinted at Barefoot’s to give us an idea how the oldtimers did it in the beginning but I decided on this – “The Insanity Of Alcohol.” Ya’ see Micky, you have some worth – you motivated my mind to what could kill me and I used the tools. Now …read more

In 1958 Bill W. found himself asking this question, “Why can’t the Twelve Steps work to release depression?”
First things first, in 1993, with almost 4 years sober, I was diagnosed as a “depressive.” My sponsor was with me when this happened. It is a much longer story than what you’ll see now but it revolved around my divorce.
Therefore, for me, depression involves relationships and my need for attention and my need to be needed.
Bill understood. He wrote a letter to a fellow AA member and talked about depression and – LOVE.
Go figure…

Since there is often much talk about this topic – Alcoholics Anonymous has provided a pamphlet filled with valuable information about medications and other drugs.
This is the opening disclaimer;
Alcoholics Anonymous is a program for alcoholics who seek freedom from alcohol. It is not a program against drugs. However, some A.A. members have misused drugs, often as a substitute for alcohol, in such a manner as to become a threat to the achievement and maintenance of sobriety. These incidents have caused all A.A. members to be concerned with what is popularly known as the “pill problem.”
Often as a substitute. Yep, that’s …read more

Keep ‘em coming Alex! You’re making it easier for me
Following up on the “crosstalk” topic… we have an email written from a oldtime member of AA;
Date: Thurs, Aug 21 2008 4:22 pm
From: olemole
I’ve been around and sober for close to 37 years and so called crosstalk in one meeting is standard format in another all depends on the size and make up of the meeting. Cross talk is as old as AA.
On Aug 18, 8:52 am, Sottovoice wrote:
“I have to profess that I am not one who understands the detailed history of “cross talk” or what it really …read more

From “Indelible Humility” printed in the Grapevine Dec. 1990 and reproduced at Silkworth.net. (pdf.)
Thanks again Alex…
“No look at anonymity as practiced by AA can be truly complete without including the question: is it possible for an AA member to be too anonymous? Too anonymous for the good of the individual and the Fellowship? The answer is ‘yes.’ And there are more than a few examples of this: members who feel they must not tell their families or their friends or coworkers or doctors or ministers or lawyers that they are members of AA.
There have even been instances when …read more

And there was no solution…
Then, I also thought you were the riddle and the solution was “If you’d only do things my way everything would be okay.” We all know how well that works out.
From today’s Daily Reflection, “A Riddle That Works”
“It may be possible to find explanations of spiritual experiences such as ours, but I have often tried to explain my own and have succeeded only in giving the story of it. I know the feeling it gave me and the results it has brought, but I realize I may never fully understand its deeper why and how.”
And this …read more

A good friend (who sometimes visits here – ah hem) forwarded this to me today (sounds familiar);
The Cuckoo Clock
“Shortly after I got married, I was invited out for a “night out with the boys.” I told the wife that I would be home by midnight… I Promise!
Well, the yarns were being spun and the grog was going down easy, and at around 3 am, drunk as a skunk, I went home. Just as I got in the door, the cuckoo clock started, and cuckooed 3 times. Quickly, I realized she’d probably wake up, so I cuckooed another 9 times.
I was …read more

If you happen to be headed to the United Kingdom and want to find a meeting;
‘How to find AA’ in England, Scotland and Wales, UK.
There’s a searchable database of meetings for England, Scotland and Wales.
And a complete list of AA events happening between now and April of next year.
Plus – the National Helpline Number:- 0845 76 97 555

When we tell them they are the most important person in the room? Do we think these people don’t recognize our humanity? What do they see?
Consider one simple thought – they don’t see time, time sober. They begin to hear that but did you understand it in the beginning? Most of these folks sitting in their first few meetings (at least in our area) don’t even understand that we practice abstaining from drinking alcohol much less recognize what we’re about. What they see is a room full of unknown faces with unknown quantity/quality. That’s all.
So we tell them they’re the …read more