Alcoholism Support Group
Alcoholism is the continued consumption of alcoholic beverages, even when it is negatively affecting your health, work, relationships and life. If you think alcohol is causing you to lose control, it's time to seek help. Our group is a safe place to vent, check in, get back up if you fall, and reach sobriety.
Saturday, July 23, 2011
A.A. Thought for the Day
We should remember that all A.A.'s have "clay feet." We should not set any member upon a pedestal and mark her or him out as a perfect A.A. It's not fair to the person to be singled out in this fashion and if the person is wise she or he will not wish it. If the person we single out as an ideal A.A. has a fall, we are in danger of falling, too. Without exception, we are all only one drink away from a drunk, no matter how long we have been in A.A. Nobody is entirely safe. A.A. itself should be our ideal, not any particular member of it. Am I putting my trust in A.A. principles and not in any one member of the group?
Meditation for the Day
The inward peace that comes from trust in God truly passes all understanding. That peace no one can take from you. No person has the power to disturb that inner peace. But you must be careful not to let in the world's worries and distractions. You must try not to give entrance to fears and despondency. You must refuse to open the door to distractions that disturb your inward peace. Make it a point to allow nothing today to disturb your inner peace, your heart-calm.
Hazelden
A.A. Thought for the Day
We should remember that all A.A.'s have "clay feet." We should not set any member upon a pedestal and mark her or him out as a perfect A.A. It's not fair to the person to be singled out in this fashion and if the person is wise she or he will not wish it. If the person we single out as an ideal A.A. has a fall, we are in danger of falling, too. Without exception, we are all only one drink away from a drunk, no matter how long we have been in A.A. Nobody is entirely safe. A.A. itself should be our ideal, not any particular member of it. Am I putting my trust in A.A. principles and not in any one member of the group?
Meditation for the Day
The inward peace that comes from trust in God truly passes all understanding. That peace no one can take from you. No person has the power to disturb that inner peace. But you must be careful not to let in the world's worries and distractions. You must try not to give entrance to fears and despondency. You must refuse to open the door to distractions that disturb your inward peace. Make it a point to allow nothing today to disturb your inner peace, your heart-calm.
Hazelden
"Still you may say: "But I will not have the benefit of contact with you who wrote this book." We cannot be sure. God will determine that, so you must remember that your real reliance is always upon Him. He will show you how to create the fellowship you crave."
Billy
Namaste !
Took me along time to understand the concept of my peace being about an inner state rather than being something contingent on outside influence. Sometimes it is still hard not to let those distractions in. Sometimes even if I dont let them in my inner world is not as I would have it be. That is where the growth will come.
"it works for us and the newcomers who choose to make themselves a part of our fellowship too."
No doubt sounds like a cult. Grateful I was not introduced to the program with such a dogmatic view.
I may be wrong and others collectively, or otherwise, right. Who's to say? Who represents who on "Just how it ought to be on here?" I'm not too sure myself. I thought it was an internet support, advice and discussion board. There doesn't seem to be a group conscience and it is not an AA board nor a non-AA board. It's supposed to be for everybody to say how they feel or what they believe.
If you don't like what someone says it might even be better to just ignore it or explain just how you feel about the discussion in hand from just your own perspective and experience of recovery that worked for you to avoid making it too personal with other people. It's also good, I think, to take the broad view and be open-minded.
Direct opinion or implication or inference on each other's personal intention, rather than the subject raised, never made for great debate or discussion, in my humble or not so humble opinion, depending on your view. But then that's none of my business or particular concern.
Some are saying they fear newcomers and others are being put off or have actually left because of how some are presenting AA. I sometimes wonder if it could also be the current in-fighting and insinuation about people's motives etc etc that goes on and on which is more the problem. Just a thought. After all, people like me have been on here for years now, the sharing hasn't changed much that I can see.
"it works for us and the newcomers who choose to make themselves a part of our fellowship too."
No doubt sounds like a cult. Grateful I was not introduced to the program with such a dogmatic view. "
That is an awful thing to say. Each group is a spiritual entity we do nothing outside the guidelines of AA, we are just a normal group with a particular interest in the Big Book. God knows, I wouldn't dream of saying that if you wrote about your AA.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWYYkF6DOnk
How many times in my life I put others on pedestals only to be disappointed. Yes, people are fallible, and so am I. I have to remember it is progress and not perfection.
When I was going through the 12 steps my sponsor ensured I was HP led and not sponsor or people led. Today I am so grateful for that clear message.
At 8am here in the UK this morning, I walked up to the High Street and I had one of those gratitude moments for my sobriety. A few years ago I would have been a mess (and in a mess! lol) in bed. What a miracle and I feel truly blessed.
Inner peace...what a concept :)