Borrowed from last year;

Constant = Unchanged, Consistently recurring over time, persistent…

Page 20: “Our very lives, as ex-problem drinkers, depend upon our constant thought of others and how we may help meet their needs.”

Page 73: “But they had not learned enough of humility, fearlessness and honesty, in the sense we find it necessary, until they told someone all their story… He is under constant fear and tension – that makes for more drinking.”

Page 155: “He told me how he lived in constant worry about those who might find out about his alcoholism.”

Recovery from a hopeless state of mind and body remains a “do what you don’t want to do” program. The Promises will materialize if we work for them!

Post from: Blisstree

Nothing Changes If Nothing Changes 2009

Greetings On Our 10th Christmas

1944

Yes, it’s in the air! The spirit of Christmas once more warms this poor distraught world. Over the whole globe millions are looking forward to that one day when strife can be forgotten, when it will be remembered that all human beings, even the least are loved by God, when men will hope for the coming of the Prince of Peace as they never hoped before.

But there is another world which is not poor. Neither is it distraught. It is the world of Alcoholics Anonymous, where thousands dwell happily and secure. Secure because each of us, in his own way, knows a greater power who is love, who is just, and who can be trusted.

Nor can men and women of AA ever forget that only through suffering did they find enough humility to enter the portals of that New World.

How privileged we are to understand so well the divine paradox that strength rises from weakness, that humiliation goes before resurrection; that pain is not only the price but the very touchstone of spiritual rebirth.

Knowing it’s full worth and purpose, we can no longer fear adversity, we have found prosperity where there was poverty, peace and joy have sprung out of the very midst of chaos.

Great indeed, our blessings!

And so — Merry Christmas to you all — from the Trustees, from Bobbie and from Lois and me.

Bill Wilson

[Source]

Post from: Blisstree

Bill and Lois’ Christmas Message, 1944

From Barefoot’s World;

Personal Gains Of Being A Sponsor

No one reaps full benefit from any fellowship he is connected with unless he wholeheartedly engages in its important activities. The expansion of Alcoholics Anonymous to wider fields of greater benefit to more people results directly from the addition of new, worth-while members or associates.

Any A.A. who has not experienced the joys and satisfaction of helping another alcoholic regain his place in life has not yet fully realized the complete benefits of this fellowship. On the other hand, it must be clearly kept in mind that the only possible reason for bringing an alcoholic into A.A. is for that person’s gain. Sponsorship should never be undertaken to -

1. Increase the size of the group.
2. For personal satisfaction and glory.
3. Because the sponsor feels it his duty to re-make the world.

Until an individual has assumed the responsibility of setting a shaking, helpless human being back on the path toward becoming a healthy useful, happy member of society, he has not enjoyed the complete thrill of being an A.A.

I’ll never forget my first case… I wound up leaving all my worldly possessions in the basement of his girl friend’s house. Long story

Bobby P., are you still out there? Don’t forget – as Fr. Martin says: “A blade of grass grows a days’ growth in a days’ time.”

Post from: Blisstree

Personal Gains Of Being A Sponsor

Page 20: “Our very lives, as ex-problem drinkers, depend upon our constant thought of others and how we may help meet their needs.”

Once again I’m reading your blogs, especially Mary Christine, because, for me, it is a way of reaching out for information and experience and to motivate the thinker.

I wanted, originally, to find where our book said “Constant vigilance is the watch word,” looked through the online index and concordance but couldn’t find the phrase. MC is speaking of someone who seems to be doing some living in yesterday. I thought about being taught not to live on yesterday’s sobriety. Constant vigilance popped into my head.

I find it sad that someone with almost 21 years seemingly has nothing to speak of but yesterday and can’t address today’s deal, whatever today’s deal might be.

Somewhere along the way they taught me to keep it in today because I couldn’t live on yesterday’s sobriety and I was real good about regretting what I’d done yesterday and fearing what I’d do tomorrow.

Page 73: “But they had not learned enough of humility, fearlessness and honesty, in the sense we find it necessary, until they told someone all their story… He is under constant fear and tension – that makes for more drinking.”

Page 155: “He told me how he lived in constant worry about those who might find out about his alcoholism.”

Thanks for the mind push MC

Post from: Blisstree

Nothing Changes If Nothing Changes

The Native American Indian General Service Office of AA is a framed web site so navigation is a bit old-fashioned.

Statement Of Purpose

“To provide a vision of service by the Native American Indian General Service Office (NAIGSO-AA) to the more than 500 sovereign Indian Nations in North America recognized by state governments and the Federal Government. The structure of the fellowship is in a form as to become attractive to the alcoholic Native American Indian. NAIGSO-AA recognizes the need for each Nation, tribe, and band to honor their spiritual customs and traditions and to base recovery on those living principles. The form of these spiritual customs and traditions cannot be separated from the social aspects of daily living and thus it cannot be separated from the structure and form of AA. This applies to individuals in recovery, to the AA group, and to NAIGSO-AA as a whole.”

Post from: Blisstree

Native American Indian General Service Office of AA

He said;

“I once read somewhere that a group conscience meeting can be called at any time, especially during a regular AA meeting as to keep the “Others” at the monthly home group business meetings “In check” with the group as a whole. I’ve studied the pamphlet on The A.A. Group…Where It All Begins and may have missed or overlooked something there.”

Then he asked a few good questions. I have some thoughts on the first and invite your comments – please.

“How and when can a group conscience meeting can be conducted and how to bring about a well-informed Group Conscience?”

Simply my own opinion (?) but calling for a “group conscience” meeting during a regular meeting for the “purpose” (”as to keep” = purpose in my mind’s eye) of keeping “others” (which I read as outsiders, i.e. non group members) “in check” with your group? That doesn’t really feel in line with the spirit of the Fifth Tradition.

Which, once again, gives pause to consider what the “message” is…

“Each group has but one primary purpose – to carry its message to the alcoholic who still suffers.”

Hopefully, that message is more “You can recover from a hopeless state of mind and body” than it is “While you’re here in our group you’ll do it our way” which is what “keep in check” equates to – for me.

That being said, I have seen a “group conscience” (a very quick vote) taken during a meeting for the specific purpose of keeping the meeting topic in line with our primary purpose.

Anyone?

Post from: Blisstree

Timing A Group Conscience Meeting

“Never talk down to an alcoholic from any moral or spiritual hilltop; simply lay out the kit of spiritual tools for his inspection. Show him how they worked with you.”

I was taught never to look down on another alcoholic unless I was willing to pick them up. After all, how did I feel (still do feel) when someone spoke down their nose at me? Degraded, humiliated, diminished, usually followed directly by anger – how dare they speak that way to me!

“I must examine myself whenever I meet a newcomer to make sure that I am carrying the message with simplicity, humilty, and generosity. The one who still suffers from the terrible disease of alcoholism must find in me a friend who will allow him to get to know the A.A. way, because I had such a friend when I arrived in A.A.”

Carry the message, not the mess.

There Is Hope After Alcohol!!!

Post from: Blisstree

Reaching Out

Result;

“the conclusion or end to which any course or condition of things leads, or which is obtained by any process or operation; consequence or effect; as, the result of a course of action.”

These steps? Why – the eleven that preceded

The Result? A spiritual awakening…

Awakening?

“Rousing from sleep, in a natural or a figurative sense; rousing into activity; exciting; as, the awakening city; an awakening discourse; the awakening dawn.”

Spirit;

“The undying essence of a human. The soul.”

Well, I certainly might disagree with the last definition. Undying? No, alcohol most definitely is a killer and had my soul in its death grip about to snuff all the life out of it forever when I was led to AA by an Act of Providence!

The Twelve Steps have awakened my soul along with the souls of millions and we are alive today as a result! We’ll be here for you when you arrive at our door…

Post from: Blisstree

Result

It then goes on to say;

“Because A.A.’s Twelve Traditions repeatedly ask us to give up personal desires for the common good, we realize that the sacrificial spirit – well symbolized by anonymity – is the foundation of them all. It is A.A.’s proved willingness to make these sacrifices that gives people their high confidence in our future.”

And it doesn’t take a rocket scientist to realize that all the well publicized, loud and outspoken, violent critics of Alcoholics Anonymous, have no idea, none, zero, what this means. Funny, isn’t it, how they are the ones who want to be seen from the rooftops spewing their venom out loud?

The same applies to 13th Steppers and anyone else who comes to AA to fulfill any personal agenda other than recovery from alcoholism. I believe it was an act of providence that walked me into recovery in AA, therefore, how could I be so self-centered to stay in order to satisfy some lower level of my nature?

Of course, the end result is inevitable. HP has a tendency to level the playing field.

“Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities.”

Post from: Blisstree

The Spiritual Substance of Anonymity is Sacrifice

My best friend, who has a deep passion for recovery, went to his treatment facility commitment this past week and heard these words spew from the “chairperson’s” mouth. Lonnie raised his a** up off his chair, felt tempted to spew back, didn’t, then found something else to do elsewhere in the world away from this extreme self-centeredness.

I imagine the tone had been set earlier as the “meeting” had been re-designated another type of recovery meeting rather than an AA meeting by a small number of AA “members” who apparently decided to take ownership of this meeting.

Because the treatment committee had attempted to help their group out by spreading the commitment amongst other groups, placing it on the treatment schedule for all to participate if they cared to. Oops…

Ruffled some possessive feathers there treatment committee!

This is wrong on so many levels it would take pages of comments. And they would also be wrong…

I believe that the inevitable conclusion of such egotistical possessiveness and actions by someone claiming to be in recovery is – the moment will come soon when a drink appears to be the solution rather than the problem. I learned a very long time ago (thankfully) that keeping this gift all to myself meant that the day would come when I would lose it. And, in that I trust!

Post from: Blisstree

I’m Not Here Tonight To Help You?