passing the message

[angussdundee]

Chapter 7 tells us that -"Practical experience shows that nothing will so much ensure immunity from drinking as intensive work with other alcoholics. It works when other activities fail". In other words, we must carry the message to other alcoholics.
What message? The message of the first elven steps! The truth is that we cannot carry a message we haven't got and we can only learn that message by practicing the first eleven steps. I have heard many people with a good message, it may even be a good message, but it isn't the AA message. Unless we do these steps and continue to practice theses principals in all our affairs then we should not be offering any massages to anyone. This may sound harsh but we cannot carry the AA message of the first eleven steps if we have not actually got it to give!
Clarence S. one of the first crop of AA's said, "there are a lot of people out there twelve stepping that should be at home knitting".
You may think that this sounds hard but I think not.
There are promises for steps three, five, nine, ten, eleven and twelve. They will all come true for us provided we do these vital steps.
The halo may be delayed in the post, however..... ;) We are still not Saints... :D

Have a great journey.

anguss.

[fishdocdon]

Well said Angus. In my world , I try to get people to share where they are at. If on step 1, share experiences and problems with step 1. If on step 3 , stay in the area of the first 3 steps. You can't give something away if YOU don't own it. The tendency of newcomers is to offer all kinds of advice and great involvement helping others is mental masturbation and a delaying action to keep from really looking at oneself. When i got here I lied to myself and could rationalize and justify the most outlandish behavior. I would actually BELIEVE my bullcrap. The answers are in the steps and program of AA. Simple, Straightforward and EASY ( if we don't mess with them). Go to meetings, get a Big Book (to read and study), Get a sponsor (to help with the steps and life), pray (even when you might not believe). One of my favorite prayers, early on was Lord I believe, Help my unbelief. Join us on the road to happy destiny in AA. GBWU Doc

[Carol87]

From page 164 in the Big Book ... emphasis mine ..._______________________________________________ __

We realize we know only a little. God will constantly disclose more to you and to us. Ask Him in your morning meditation what you can do each day for the man who is still sick. The answers will come, if your own house is in order. But obviously you cannot transmit something you haven't got. See to it that your relationship with Him is right, and great events will come to pass for you and countless others. This is the Great Fact for us._______________________________________________ __

Excellent thread ...? :)

[angussdundee]

Hey Doc, I like the simplicity of your prayers in the beginning. Like you, I kept it simple with just two prayers - 1. God help me and 2. Thank you God. Very often I didn't know what I wanted never mind what I needed so I just said "help" and when my prayer was answered I said "thanks". I needed help getting out of bed in the morning, finding my shoes and getting dressed. So I asked for help with these and other small and unimportant items throughout the day and this helped me to build up a habit (habits come easy to me :D ) of conscience contact with God.... SIMPLE!

anguss.

[WolfM]

Dear freinds,
I have heard the expression (when someone is whining about what is wrong with their life and the world around them), "so what step are you working on now?" This is so true. And if I am having issues, I need to look at where I am in the program, where I want to be, and take the necessary steps to get there. If step 10 does not work on a resentment, it is back to step one. I am powerless. Then 2 and 3. And then 4, especially the what is my part column. Then call my sponsor, 5,6, 7,8, amends if necessary and or prayer for the other person. Then 10, 11, 12.
And in meetings, if there is a topic, I talk to that topic as it relates to my problems with alcohol or how I deal with the problems using the principles. If the chair says, "or anything else you want to talk about", I may talk about something else, but AS IT RELATES TO MY DISEASE and how the program helps me to cope with lifes problems.
I try to stay with the strength and hope. But if experience is necessary, I have plenty of that. I know I need to hear how bad it was sometimes, because the further away I get from my last drink, the less severe my bottom feels. Although that repercussions of that last drink are burned into my memory, because that is what got me in here.
WolfM

[fishdocdon]

I entered the doors full of anger , doubt and ???remorse (not sure). I had to make a list for things to do each day. 1-good morn. prayer, 2- bathroom stuff, 3- be grateful !!!!!(problem), 4- etc. Living Sober was my bible and the chapter on anger my nemisis. All the ways anger can show up in me. I did believe that anger was my no. 1 problem, I just didn't begin to comprehend the extent of it. The steps helped me to find my God and to establish a good relationship with Him. All this consumed about 2 yrs. My blood pressure still sucked and anger (resentments) still troubled me. My sponsor said to 552 the ex and attorneys. Just 552 them. I thought what the hell is that. My sponsor said "read the book" ----duh!!!!!! I got to 552 and read it choked and reread it. I decided to try it even though I didn't buy it. It took well over the 2 weeks, but it worked and I WAS FREE. Simpled to plugg in those resentments anfter that. Now I don't have to let the resntful feelings grow as I have a 10th step to kill em off. I believe help my unbelief still helps me when I'm in a quandry. I simply pray for guidance and do what my developed conscience tells me is right. A simple program for a complicated me. I love AA. GBWU All Doc

[blossom]

When i first read your post Angus, i did think thats a bit harsh - but then i re-read and thought about and your right. In the capacity of going and doing twelve step calls it should be by people who have worked through the steps, because they have a message to carry, but i do sometimes take a sponsee or someone i know who is struggling along with me, not to speak but to listen, 12 step work i find is a great reminder of walking into the end of someone elses drinking to remember my own and where i am today. Unfortunately, where i live as well is quite rural and our meetings are small, so it is not always possible to get two people who have worked through the steps to go - sometimes it is more important to make contact with someone who has asked for help, rather than wait!
My experience as well of doing 12 step calls is also i don't share with that person the whol;e program and 12 steps, it is far too much for someone to take in...what i concentrate on is step 1 and getting them to a meeting, because that is where they can learn the rest and experience our strength. And i always try to remember what it was like when i was 12 stepped, more than anything i just wanted to know that i could stop drinking and that it would be ok.

For me also the newcomer has so much to offer me, i can always learn from someone who is 1 day sober as well as someone who is 20yrs sober and i know that wasn't what you were saying in your post, but i would hate to think that a newcomer would feel like they had nothing to offer until they had done the steps, because as we all know it is in the journey not the destination that we learn things. So even when someone walks into the room for the first time, they are carrying a message for me"it still doesn't work"

Love
Blossom