For me this simply says, Give back what was so freely given to me.

And you?

Yes, but some in early recovery get confused and think that it's " I will shove my hand down the unwilling throat of those who suffer, w" Which works not for anyone.

Don, i was asking about your thoughts. As a newcomer we all know its a process getting there.
From my exp. trying to shove something down ones throat never works.

Hi
It is one of those short versions of the Serenity Prayer. For me it means, suiting up and showing up, going up to a newcomer not waiting for them to reach out as they have by walking into the rooms. And as we know nothing assures us more safety in recovery than being of service, getting out of ourselves.

I always try to go up to as many newcomers as I can. I have my sponsoree's put 5 pennies in their pant pockets and every time they go up to a newcomer move a penny to the other pocket. When they get home they can see how many people they welcomed. Just a little thing but at first it makes them feel good and gets them also out of themselves.

All the newcomers sit in the back of the rooms, they stand out pretty much At the beginning of the meetings we ask for newcomers, it never fails that at the end if we again ask if there were any newcomers that did not get to introduce themselves there is always one that didn't that does if we make them feel they are welcome by going up to them, offering them some or cake. It takes such little time, and if no one did it for us and waited for me to say hello who knows where I would be.

But is it limited to just alcoholics?

Jim, Absolutely not! Its a full circle deal. Just my exp.

Hi Jim

I agree no, first off none of us can label anyone alcoholic or not alcoholic so that there says we need to understand that we are just the messengers not the message.

I have a question. If you are in A.A. and stop drinking but continue to use drugs to get high, are you sober and should celebrate time?

Depends. If it's medication and taken as prescribed yes. If it's abuse or illicit then and
IMO that includes marijuana.

so·ber (sbr)
adj. so·ber·er, so·ber·est
1. Habitually abstemious in the use of alcoholic liquors or drugs; temperate.
2. Not intoxicated or affected by the use of drugs.
3. Plain or subdued: sober attire.
4. Devoid of frivolity, excess, exaggeration, or speculative imagination; straightforward: gave a sober assessment of the situation.
5. Marked by seriousness, gravity, or solemnity of conduct or character. See Synonyms at serious.
6. Marked by circumspection and self-restraint.
tr. & intr.v. so·bered, so·ber·ing, so·bers
To make or become sober.

yes if taken as prescribed
no I don't think they are sober if abused or use of illicit drugs

Can they celebrate time Yes They are not drinking
The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking
The only thing is, they are celebrating dry time, not sober time.
Now if they ask for help to get sober I will give it.
If they do not ask for help I will not force my opinion on them
Live and let live

BB page 103
After all, our problems were of our own making.
Bottles were only a symbol. Besides, we have stopped
fighting, anybody or anything. WE have to!

those were my thoughts gim. It's a good thread. I just think the clarification should me made

those were my thoughts gim. It's a good thread. I just think the clarification should me made

Thanks for the replies. I have a few dear friends that are having issues sponsoring people that are abusing drugs. I have not told them what I think or see, but they are basically taking advantage of them being only Alcoholic not even knowing the signs, and I personally believe are hiding out in A.A. for that reason. They get up and take their chips or cakes everyone gives them kudo's, then when they go out everyone has something to say about it.

I guess since I have done pretty much all of it, when I sponsor I take the stance that if you are still using I prefer not to work with you as you are still thinking with a under the influence mind and I cannot see how the steps can work that way and its a diservice to both of us.

But then again I have seen people sponsoring people that are still drinking also. Other than sponsoring I pretty much probably have no business even going there and although I want to scream sometimes, can't you see this person is tore down from the floor down? I don't.