Thanks AA!

When I arrived at this program’s door, I was different and unique. I was not really like the people that were at my first few meetings. I didn’t want to be here and I certainly didn’t need to be here. Sure, I had a few disagreements with my family and the law, but that was just bad luck or their failure to comprehend the issue. What that means, more than anything, was that I was not ready to listen, actually not able to listen because I already knew that there wasn’t a problem with me.

But since I’m here, I might as well try and do what they ask. My first time through the Steps was done reasonably well but my heart was not into it. I wasn’t drinking and my home life seemed to be better, but I was still very angry at the world. I didn’t have a solution!

Then one Sunday morning at a lead meeting I heard a gentleman tell my story. Not close, but “my story”. Looking back, what a God moment. I then understood that I’m not only like these other people, I am one of these people. I then decided to go back through the Steps and give it my all. My first sponsor had passed away so I was able to share my complete and thorough story with my new sponsor. With that, I now had an attitude change and was able to hear people’s stories and relate. I understood the Serenity Prayer and when it says “the courage to change the things I can” it meant changing me.

Once I went through the Steps and thoroughly followed the AA path, I realized that I not only had a drinking problem, I had a thinking problem. I realized that I don’t have all the answers, and I’m not expected to have them. I’m getting more comfortable in my skin and I’m allowing everyone else to be themselves and not judge. Thanks AA!

 

-Mick S.

 

Drifting

Drifting in a current is easy. In a canoe at first, it's nice. If I drift long enough downstream the faster I start to go. And the faster I go the less I see. The banks and the beautiful things there. I start to panic or react and at the end I go over the falls.

My nephew, wife and child were canoeing they tipped over and didn't use there oars to get to shore and stay upright as they were drifting. I thought how sometimes in life I can drift. I need God, the steps and you in meetings. Because without the AA program I am not balanced. I start to drift away. Drifting for me is disastrous!

Left to my own thoughts they become actions. Blindly I drift and think I can find an easier softer way. I don't pause when agitated I don't avoid retaliation or argument end up in self will run riot and then at the end of the falls I drift from God and don't have the mental defense against the first drink

How easy it is for me to drift into sin. Drift into bad habits once then twice. The 7 deadly sins can wreck and ruin a person's life. Lust to adultery or pornography. Greed then debt then dishonesty and start to steal. Financially I can stay within my means then start using credit cards. Defeated by temptation I become captive to material things.

I can drift from the truth of God by not improving my conscious contact. I start to miss meetings for one week and then easier to miss the next then have no direction in life. I get bombarded with bad influences which leads to no restriction for my life. Drifting, I move from the founding principles I leave God out of it. (Honesty, Purity, Unselfishness, Love, Humility and Gratitude) 

Thinking I can get along without God.   If I continue to drift downstream the rapids get bigger (defects of character and shortcomings).

In a canoe without paddles and if I do no work, I go down the stream and drift. (Easier softer way). I hear a sound (relying on self-knowledge) then it gets louder then start to move faster, then over the falls and I will be drunk and that is a disaster.

If I find myself drifting. Â Every facet of life can be in danger. Bill Wilson found out in order to save himself he must help another alcoholic

Respect, encourage and help each other. In a meeting we pray together.

Pray together we stay together. My oars stay in the water and my balance in the canoe and direction is better. I avoid the rocks.

Pay close attention in AA meetings. I can hear sounds. It's possible to listen and not here it. To drift. If I am not there in a meeting I don't hear anything until the falls get closer. To not put it into work in my life.

Are you drifting from some area of your life? Meetings reading the Big Book, sharing your Experience Strength and Hope. Praying for knowledge of his will and the power to carry it out. Service work and to be of maximum service to others

Stop drifting, let God change your direction. Realize it and surrender each day. Try to follow his direction. Use your oars whose names are sponsor or home group members.

It's hard to paddle with your oars out of the water.                                                                  

Mark L- the Florida Flounder

 

Rarely have we seen a person fail who has thoroughly followed our path.

This bond and simple statement has been so powerful to me since coming to Alcoholics Anonymous. At a time when I was overwhelmed with fear and doubt that the program would even work, it told me that if I thoroughly followed the path, my chances of not failing were good. With this though came a glimmer of hope that I could do this, and it started me on the path to sobriety.

Everyone comes into recovery from different lives and places, different fears and doubts, different thoughts and beliefs, different plans and goals. For me, this direct and firm statement says that if you follow the program, you can achieve sobriety despite all of the different situations and feelings.

I like to think that Bill W. wrote this beginning to How It Works as both an invitation and suggestions to anyone who might want to follow our path. Thank God!!!

 

-Mark D., Asbury Big Book