Member: Rich R
Location: Detroit
Date: 3/3/2002
Time: 8:19:24 AM

Comments

Without someone (my mother) practicing step 12, I wouldn't be here. She never said ONE WORD to me! All she did was go to her AA meetings and stay sober. After 6 years of her sobriety, I got drunk one night. When my loving wife suggested to me that I "might" be an alcoholic (surprise, surprise, BOTH my parents were alcoholic), I knew just what to do...I called my mother and asked her where I could find an AA meeting. She came over and TOOK me to my first AA meeting. In fact, she took me to a meeting every night for my first week and then I was on my own. She introduced me to her old cronies at each meeting and they all made me feel so welcome by saying nice things about my mother. That was in 1990, I am still sober (my Mom died sober in 1994) and I still LOVE AA people! Thanks.


Member: Jenn P.
Location: Poconos,PA
Date: 3/3/2002
Time: 10:54:11 AM

Comments

Hi Jenn here- an alcoholic who is happy, joyous and free today as a result of these steps. But THE Result - my spiritual awakening, has been the best gift I have ever received and it continues to get better and deeper. I feel so alive today, and can enjoy my life so much when I practice these principles on a daily basis. The joy of trying to carry this message is so uplifting. When I see someone else get free of the slavery to alcohol that once had me, it reminds me what a miracle we have in this Program, and how much our Higher Power loves us all. I only needed to try to the best of my ability one day at a time, and I have found a life I never dreamed existed. I like me today, and that is saying alot. Even when sad things happen, I don't have to drink over them. My spiritual awakening has given me a relationship with my Higher Power that can heal any wounds I have or will ever have. I am so grateful to be sober and to know the wonderful people I know both in and out of this fellowship. Thank you all for listening. God Bless!


Member: NEW A.A. MEETING
Location: IN POCONOS PA.
Date: 3/3/2002
Time: 12:06:41 PM

Comments

NEW A.A. MEETING AN OPEN 90 MINUTE LITERATURE MEETING WILL BEGIN IN MID APRIL IN THE POCONO AREA. WE WILL USE LITERATURE INCLUDING THE BIG BOOK, THE BIBLE AND OTHER READINGS FOUND USEFUL BY OUR FOUNDERS. FOR MORE INFO LEAVE YOUR NAME, MAILING ADDRESS AND OR YOUR PHONE AND E MAIL ADDy whyitworked@yahoo.com


Member: RFC
Location:
Date: 3/3/2002
Time: 12:30:34 PM

Comments

....carry this message.....(not YOUR message,not SOME message, not A message but THIS MESSAGE) If you are not certain what THIS MESSAGE is I can i.d., but until you do, it might be a good idea to pass.


Member: Steven G
Location: lumaleash@hotmail.com
Date: 3/3/2002
Time: 1:29:06 PM

Comments

I have been around anonymous programs since I was 17, I am now 37. I always had kept some old ideas as I was very scared and insecure,((fear based)). I never felt like I belonged. I had grown very little. I hit a emotional bottom and my friends words hurt more than fists. I was ready for a complete and total surender, ALL MY VALUES, PRIDE , BELIEFS & SELF AWARENESS. I was ready to take direction. WOW what a exhale, it feels so cleansing. I have found a new freedom and a new lease in G-D's world. I have only the society of A.A to thank. Thank you. I used to find people in our society that were sober, and reinforced my past way of thinking and acting out. There are plenty of folks to choose from for me. Since my physic change I hang out with the people who have inner peace, I find that common with the old timers. Life is good. There are no big deals. A resoures that helped me is sober.org. I hope you find this usefull.

Steven Glick L.A. Calif.


Member: Bill W.
Location: Barrington, RI
Date: 3/3/2002
Time: 5:54:30 PM

Comments

I'm Bill, an alcoholic. I had the opportunity to do a variation of ãtried to carry this message to alcoholicsä this week by taking a friend of my wife's to her first Al-Anon meeting. She had recently called to tell me a story about her boyfriendâs drinking habits. It sounded like a full-blown situation to me, so I suggested an Al-Anon meeting, and, if willing, to do so sooner rather than later. I attended a number of Al-Anon meetings myself much earlier in my sobriety in an attempt to deal with an AA romance that had gotten out of control, so I was familiar with what it could do for those affected by alcoholics. Since Al-Anon carries essentially the same message we do, I consider this to be a situation where I ãtried to carry this messageä, though, in this case, Iâm not trying to carry the message to an alcoholic. She seemed to respond well to the meeting and says she intends to go to more. I told my sponsor about this, who said, ãWhoâs working with the boyfriend?ä Unfortunately, weâve never met him and they live about an hour away, nor has the boyfriend expressed any concern with his own drinking, according to the girlfriend. Maybe that opportunity will present itself in the future. The nice thing is that someone reached out for help and I knew what to do. It was pointed out to me a long time ago the word ãtriedä in this step. It is not there by accident. The level success of your attempt to carry the message is not important. You are working that portion of the step correctly if you simply make the effort÷if you try to carry the message.


Member: Rollie G
Location: Lennoxville.Que. Can.
Date: 3/3/2002
Time: 6:46:42 PM

Comments

Goodevening every one out there. I sure enjoy step12. I try to practice this step daily. It sure has helped me in my last 5yrs. of soberity. Every one out there thanks for sharing and have a cyber evening. Love you all Rollie.G


Member: Lessa E
Location: Chicago
Date: 3/3/2002
Time: 7:02:54 PM

Comments

Lessa here, grateful recovering alcoholic. I think it is the first part of this step that often saves me from taking the next drink. I wondered when I came back, after a nasty relapse with rather disastrous consequences, what 'message' I could possibly carry. (I still had a lot of work to do on self pity, as you can see!! *g). Well, I've been finding out lately, in a big way. I was asked by my sponsor to help out with a couple of 'hard core' relapsers. Didn't know what good I could do, but,as someone else shared, all this step says is I have to TRY to carry this message. And, I'm finding, to my amazement, when I share what's happened to me, what it used to be like and what it's like now, it SEEMS to help the still-sufering purpose. (Although I'm realizing that I have to leave the results to God.) And I'm amazed at how it takes me out of my own problems, when I try to help someone else out.

As for practicing these principles in all of my affairs, I'm still trying. It's tough when others (normies!) don't do the same. But I have to realize that this step, like the whole program, is for MY sobriety and my own good, and nobody elses.

Thanks for letting me share.

Lessa_E@hotmail.com


Member: Margie P
Location: Long Island
Date: 3/3/2002
Time: 11:32:43 PM

Comments

HI, Margie, recovering garbagehead..This step helps me stay sane in all of my affairs, well not all, but to the best of my ability. If I'm able to repeat this to myself while mad, or fearful, it helps my situation entirely. I have stepped out of the way, done the next best thing I could do, and move on.

I like the emphasis on "try" that never occured to me before. I do try though and that is what counts.It definetely helps me with my family.

Though i have to admit, I tend to do a 12th step when around others whos attitudes, I THINK, should change. In order to make them think they should be like me, humble and sober. HAH! I have to be careful to not let the great I AM think she is one to judge or better than.

God makes no junk!!!

Let him/her judge and let me stay sober... Gratefully grateful today...Margie


Member: Connie S
Location: Riverside, N.J.
Date: 3/4/2002
Time: 7:13:56 AM

Comments

Hello all... Connie, alcoholic. I have been in a major funk all weekend....Self-pity oozing from every pore.(I read that somewhere) Step twelve keeps me from fully returning to that violent, angry totally self-absorbed active alcoholic. Even without a drink in me, I could be her yet again. I used to count to ten before I freaked out, now I count to twelve. My obligation today is to live soberly, courtesy, kindness, compassion and love. My Higher Power is right there at all times. I have learned just a little, but enough to know my life today is sooo much better than before. A spiritual awakening is just that to me, the realization that life can be participated in soberly and with me as an active participant. What a rush. thanks


Member: NEW A.A. MEETING
Location: POCONOS PA.
Date: 3/4/2002
Time: 2:05:48 PM

Comments

IF YOU,D LIKE INFO ON A NEW A.A> MEETING THAT WILL BE STARTING IN THE POCONO AREA OF PA. USING LITERATURE OUR FOUNDERS THOUGHT TO BE ESSENTIAL IN ORDER TO RECOVER,INCLUDING THE BIG BOOK , THE BIBLE AS WELL AS LITERATURE WRITTEN BY DICK B. PLEASE CONTACT US AT whyitworked@yahoo.com PLEASE LEAVE YOUR FULL NAME AND MAILING ADDRESS AS WELL AS YOUR PHONE AND OR E MAIL ADDY


Member: AnilG
Location: Mt Vernon,IL
Date: 3/4/2002
Time: 4:08:51 PM

Comments

I am an alcoholic and an addict. I sure enjoy step12. I try to practice this step daily. It sure has helped me in my last 5yrs. of soberity. Every one out there thanks for sharing and have a cyber evening.Thanks to all aa and alanon members.


Member: Ross T
Location: az
Date: 3/5/2002
Time: 2:54:38 AM

Comments

can remember when I was a kid. had no idea what alcohol was. then as an adult as I became an beer drinker it was an addiction something I needed .but why need something that makes you sick. When I was a kid I was happy without alcohol now as an adult I had to learn how to be a Kid but loves life without alcohol for me it's impossible or so it seems.


Member: NEW A .A. MEETING
Location: POCONO PA
Date: 3/5/2002
Time: 12:43:10 PM

Comments

If JESUS CHRIST IS YOUR HIGHER POWER, YOU WILL HAVE A SAFE MEETING TO DISCUSS IT COME MID APRIL IN THE POCONO AREA OF PA. OR IF YOU,D JUST LIKE TO LEARN ABOUT WHAT THE FOUNDERS THOUGHT AND USED TO RECOVER FROM ALCOHOLISM. LEAVE YOUR FULL NAME, MAILING ADDRESS AND OR PHONE E ADDY: whyitworked@yahoo.com


Member: Virginia D
Location: Oklahoma
Date: 3/6/2002
Time: 2:28:40 AM

Comments

Thanks RFC for pointing out *this message* part of the step.


Member: Ross T
Location: Mesa AZ
Date: 3/6/2002
Time: 3:21:34 AM

Comments

If I may say Connie S hit the nail right on the head. my brother who is the executor of the will allows me to have $417.00 per month $70,000 in the bank. they claim I owe $9000.00 for student loan that was $1500 in 1978.so government is garnishing my wages for that loan of $ 200 per month then my brother gives me a call on my cellular phone and says that the bank by law must report $2000 interest from the 70,000 .my taxes this year will be $2000.00. of the $417.00 get from the trust $200 go toward the student loan which will take me ten years at and the other $200 is to pay the taxes. so I have $70,000 sitting in the bank which I cannot touch and everybody but me is getting a piece of that. I'm ousing full of self-pity . And Connie S has used the 12th step on me !


Member: BetoL
Location: Tampico, Mexico
Date: 3/6/2002
Time: 10:40:39 AM

Comments

I'm an alcoholic and my problem is BetoL. Great stuff about THE result, TRIED, and THIS message. Next...THESE principles. I have seen many attempts to abridge the steps into one word principles made into posters and stuck on the walls of meeting halls. i.e. honesty, willingness, humility, etc. Bunk!

Where would I be today if my AA friends had said to me that I could get sober if I would just be honest, willing, humble, blah, blah, blah? The steps are written as simple, succinct directions with a specific goal at their end.


Member: new aa mtg
Location: poconos pa
Date: 3/6/2002
Time: 11:30:14 AM

Comments

NEW AA MTG MID APRIL POCONO AREA PA OPEN LITERATURE MTG USING THE BIBLE THE BIG BOOK AND DICK B MATERIAL whyitworked@yahoo.com


Member: Jack B
Location: Palo Alto,Pa
Date: 3/7/2002
Time: 3:20:53 AM

Comments

Hi, I am Jack, a real alcoholic. The spiritual awakening for me is that God does for me what I am incapable of doing for myself, in all my affairs. I am a firm believer that the only message an alcoholic carries to another alcoholic is the message of hope as found thru the Grace of God and our 12 step program Practicing these principles in all my affairs simply means to me is I walk the walk not just talk the talk in the rooms of A A and in society. A A is not my life today, the 12 steps of A A are my way of life. A A is not designed to make me a prisoner to the rooms, its designed to allow me to function in society one day at a time without picking up that fatal first drink. Thanks for allowing me to share and God Bless.


Member: TMG
Location: North
Date: 3/7/2002
Time: 6:04:02 PM

Comments

Yes! "...we tried to carry this message..." The key word here is "tried" and most times we or anyway I found nothing but non-cooperative, indifferent, most self-destructive and suicidal people who just wish you would get off their backs and let them drink and drug themselves in peace! Well it took me a long time to get this message too, and I always go back and give it another try, never learning that "the road to hell is paved with good intentions!" But I am fighting first and foremost for me, if anyone else benefits from my unwanted philosophies and thoughts, that is good to my account on high! So that's all we or I can do! But "the gates of hell will not prevail against" me, as it is indeed a fight unto the death! They never learn that either!!


Member: ACTION MAN
Location:
Date: 3/8/2002
Time: 12:17:43 PM

Comments

Thank you Beto L,Well put."Rarely have we seen a person fail who has thoroughly followed our path." Its in the Book.Follow directions for the best results.


Member: Chris J
Location: Birmingham, AL
Date: 3/9/2002
Time: 1:52:13 AM

Comments

Hi i am Chris and i am an alcoholic. i like that this step is divided into essentially two parts. the first part is of course sponsorship, but also extends to basically being of service to the group. whatever that may entail. from making coffee, to greeting new faces, to listening. especially listening. i remember how wonderful it felt to realize i wasn't alone and that someone did seem to care. the second part of this step is where the rubber meets the road for me. it is very easy to talk a good game in the rooms and after meetings, but how do i fare at home with my family? am i willing to practice the principle of powerlessness? i have often thought to myself "it seems so hard to let go of control" until i realized that i don't have control over anything. this is Gods world and he has been gracious enough to let me hang around in it for awhile. as my sponsor tells me "it is a God thing, and this is Gods thing"


Member: Michael B.
Location: AZ
Date: 3/9/2002
Time: 3:09:31 AM

Comments

Hi! My name is Michael, and I am a recovering alcoholic and addict, sober today only by the Grace of God and the Fellowship. Thanks for all the sincere shares. Welcome newcomers!

Nice topic, Richard, and an excellent follow up, Jenn P. While physical problems often prevent me from being "happy," the joy that Jenn mentions is something I wouldn't trade for the world. Joy is the source of true happiness for me, and it springs from the source of my spiritual awakening, a phenomena which continues to amaze me as the years pass.

As the literature says, it's a resource that will never run dry as long as we are willing to share it or give it away, a proposition which appropriately applies to the two final suggestions mentioned in the "2nd half" of Step 12.


Member: OLD TIMER
Location: N.E.
Date: 3/9/2002
Time: 12:16:30 PM

Comments

...The AA Service Manual, Concept ix, pg 42, Leadership in AA; ever a vital need, it says,"While this article was first thought of in connection with our world service leadership, it is possible that some of it's suggestions can be useful to anyone who takes an active part in our society. This is particularly true in the area of 12th step work, in which nearly all of us are actively engaged. Every sponsor is a leader. The stakes are about as big as they could be. A human life and usually the happiness of a whole family hang in the balance. What the sponsor does and says, how well he estimates the reactions of his prospects, how well he times his presentations, how well he leads his prospects on by personal spiritual example- these qualities of leadership can make all the difference, often the difference between LIFE and DEATH. BB pg 75,5th step,"We explain to our partner what we are about to do and why we have to do it. He should realize that we are engaged in a LIFE-and-DEATH errand". pg 137."Here were three exceptional men lost to this world because I did not understand alcoholism as I do now". Language Of The Heart, pg 100, Bill W. asks "Just what have we done about carrying the message?... How effective is our sponsorship system? Do we ever analyze the reason for failure in our sponsorship efforts? Or do we always excuse ourselves by saying , "He isn't ready for it". How can we be so sure he was not ready for it? Can we be certain that some other sponsor might not have succeded? If that be the case, who is really responsible for the failure? Did we really do our best?" BB pg 164 "But obviously you cannot transmit something you haven't got". It's one thing to "TRY" to carry AA's message,IF a person can do that. It's another story when people PLAY with other peoples lives simply because they haven't done the preceeding steps the extent that they can't even see thats it may be only their fears, doubts. ego's, pride,selfishness, selfcenteredness, and insecurities may be the only motive that drives them to TRY an carry a message which probably would bear little or no fruit.The BB tells us what the right motive for working with others is! BB pg 293,a person asked Dr Bob why he hadn't gotten any contacts yet. Dr Bob said "When you are right and the time is right, PROVIDENCE will provide". Before I started working with others I didn't presume, assume, suppose that I had ,had what it takes to carry the message,to help the next alkie get RECOVERED from alcoholism and some of their more obvious, outstanding character defects, flaws to prevent a retreat back into alcoholism. I knew I didn't understand the message well enough to be helpful and not harmful,to carry a message that could bring LIFE and not DEATH to the next alkie,until Providence provided.To quote G.G. from the book THE HOME GROUP,he said,"Alcoholics may be getting sober, not because of us, but in spite of us". Are you ready to accept the responsibilities, obligations, duties as a person responsibilities for the life or death of another alkie? Or can you wait for providence to provide? Or be a juggernaut of self will? May God keep you and bless you until then


Member: Dan P
Location: Kutztown, Pa
Date: 3/9/2002
Time: 1:49:40 PM

Comments

I know this off topic but a I need some help and I do not know where to post. Actually some serious help. I am a college student and I know that my problems directly stem from drinking. Everytime I touch a bottle be it beer, liquor, or wine my life makes a turn for the worst. In my thinking I can not socially drink either. I feel as if my life is crashing down on me, and I want to stop drinking. See my mom is an alcoholic and my father has alcoholic tendencies, but I know that I am headed down the wrong path. In the past I stopped drinking and my life was in full swing and all was right with the world. But I figured I could handle it if I started to drink again. All I have had since is just terrible misfortune. I do not want to lose all I jave worked so hard for that being my diploma in a few months or thee girl I love so dearly. As I am writing this I am crying because I do not know what to do. All I want is to be free of the problems caused by drinking. I just do not know what to do please if anybody can lead me in the right direction I will greatly appreciate it. Thanks, Dan


Member: Angel V
Location: Hawai'i
Date: 3/9/2002
Time: 2:35:13 PM

Comments

Hi, Angel V, Recovering alcoholic, Dan, In your phone bokk will be a listing of AA Central. Call the number, talk to the human who (hopefully) will answer and ask where there are meetings in your area. (If it bothers you to be *recognized* then find a meeting outside of your area.) In my humble opion, AA is for people EXACTLY like you (us)! There is a chair, a cup of coffee, and most importantly people that have been where you now are. Sit & listen to the folks share & suddenly you will not feel alone and feel the hope you probably don't feel now. If the meeting dosn't suit you, try another...(there are many 'flavors), but, when it clicks you will be so relived. By the grace of God I haven't had a drink in 21 years. My mum died a practicing alcoholic & it took me a few years of drinking even after her death before the lightbulb went on. I will be praying for you. Last word of advice...give your recovery the same guesto you gave your drinking and "You will be AMAZED before you are halfway through". Aloha & keep coming back, Angel V.


Member: ty
Location: chicago
Date: 3/9/2002
Time: 2:35:26 PM

Comments

you all eat shit


Member: OLD TIMER
Location: N.H.
Date: 3/9/2002
Time: 3:12:02 PM

Comments

..DAN,first two things or three things to do get a BB (Alcoholics Anonymous ,Big Blue Book)read at least the first 164 pgs as quickly as possible,2,3,4, days,read it like your life depended upon it. Start going to f2f meetings and if you have any spiritual beliefs, start asking your Higher Power for help. If you don't you might try asking anyway,I did. After reading through the 164 pgs you will see that you have some decisions to make.Don't worry about what you don't like or don't understand in the begining,a lot of us didn't like a lot of the ideas presented in the book. We found ways to make a begining of getting sober ultilizing some of the ideas in the begining. You can post just about any type of comment at the coffee pot on this same site and sometimes get helpful information. This program works great, hang in there, give it a try. Misery is refundable if you decide you do not want what the program of AA has to offer.


Member: (blade) Richard J.
Location: Fallon nv.
Date: 3/10/2002
Time: 2:16:39 AM

Comments

Rich Alkie Dear Dan Would you be willing to do whatever it takes to change your life? (meaning having the desire to drink REMOVED from your conciousness)

I am still new in recovery myself, and the only way for me to stay sober is by helping you and other people Call joyner@oasisol.com (if willing)