To the newcomer:

Choose people in the program who exude humility to guide you. Our mandate is to help the still suffering alcoholic. We do this by practicing love and tolerance and by sharing what worked for us.

I think the person who can help the newcomer the most is the one who guides by example and by living the AA 'principles in all their affairs'. They tend to be spiritually fit and are not ego driven. Our egos get us into so much trouble. lol I personally do not trust those who carry a big stick...or big schtick, if you like. lol

Yes, you want someone who understands the premise of the Big Book and who can guide you through it...but I honestly caution you to avoid someone who is 'militant' about its teachings. There is a difference between militancy and passion. Militancy does not allow any room for individual thought or process and treats passages in the Big Book like scripture. Passion is a love of the Big Book and its teachings which recognizes that it is a "suggested" program of recovery which has worked for millions.

I think I need simplicity right now.

Well, you have that angel.

;-)

It is a simple program.

The longer I am sober the more simple things seem - is that the same for others?

Things become clearer in time.

>> Choose people in the program who exude humility to guide you.

Yes, absolutely:

"That the man [or woman] who is making the approach has had the same difficulty, that he obviously knows what he is talking about, that his whole deportment shouts at the new prospect that he is a man with a real answer, that he has no attitude of Holier Than Thou, nothing whatever except the sincere desire to be helpful; that there are no fees to pay, no axes to grind, no people to please, no lectures to be endured ..." (pages 18-19)

>> I personally do not trust those who carry a big stick...or big schtick, if you like. lol

Same here!

>> I honestly caution you to avoid someone who is 'militant' about its teachings.

The neat thing about our book, however, is that it actually has no teachings at all. Rather, it is only the common experience of the folks who wrote it:

"Many could recover if they had the opportunity we have enjoyed. How then shall we present that which has been so freely given us?
"We have concluded to publish an anonymous volume setting forth the problem as we see it. We shall bring to the task our combined experience and knowledge. This should suggest a useful program for anyone concerned with a drinking problem." (page 19)

Makes me wonder what the sign in my meeting which says keep it simple and Dr Bobs insistance to Bill to "keep it simple" is all about????

G8

There are people who can don't drink and go to meetings and be ok.

Then there is the real alcoholic who cannot don't drink. The real alcoholic will always drink again no matter what he or she does. The only hope for the real alcoholic is to experience an entire psychic change. The A.A. Big Book contains that message as a program for recovery that really works. Bill W. wrote the book Alcoholics Anonymous to keep the program of recovery simple.

Tim

And Tim that is it in its simple form


G8

I personally believe this, "Don't drink and go to meetings" philosophy is just a partial suggestion. After all, it can be overwhelming to a newcomer to get hit with all this information that they can't possibly absorb. (Thus the keep it simple mantra.) That's why I think leading by example is such a powerful tool. The newcomer who hears this message, will also hear the twelve steps and traditions repeated at every single meeting they attend. They will hear over and over again about contact with a higher power being crucial to success. They will be encouraged to work with a sponsor who will explain, hopefully in chunks they can understand, what the program is and how to begin the transformation.

People who choose not to work the steps don't do it because they were told "don't drink and go to meetings". The choice to not work the steps is entirely their own. Same with those who relapse. The choice is theirs.

A real alcoholic who has not recovered from chronic alcoholism will drink again. They have no choice about it. I had the mind of a chronic alcoholic. I decided to never drink again but drank anyway. That happened several times. I finally came to grips with the concept of something that had me hopelessly defeated. I was then able to admit complete defeat.

Tim

I don't know...I kinda like to see the oldtimers having a good time with all the depth they can add to a subject in this unofficial AA form.

Now I didn't read all the replies, but who is to say when it's too much? Too deep? I don't think anyone should have to sit down and ponder rather they should post something here or not, because it might not be simple enough.

Hell, it tell me these guys and gals are working it! I Love It!

Me too, K! Thank you!

>> And Tim that is it in its simple form

Can you believe I was his sponsor around the last of my thumpin' days?!

Good thing I stopped before he could get started.

Newcomer: Read the book to find out whether or not you want to learn how to "keep it simple" too!

Well said Y'all............