I think that's a false statement probably comes from someone in AA that thinks there program is the only way for all. Some call them a "big book thumper"

As far as giving it way means helping another alcoholic with your E,S,& H. Think of it this was try to do the same thing the people that helped you in the beginning

Yea it did come from another AA'er. Thanks jim

Hi Bob round where I am I hear "I give it away to keep it" all the time which is a whole different meaning to what you quoted/interpret it as.

What they are referring to is that sobriety is enhanced by thinking of and helping others and trying to live a more spiritual life. It's all about the 12th Step in action "having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps we tried to carry this message to alcoholics and to practice these principles in all our affairs."

Bob, lets not get confused by 'another 'aa'er". Big difference between what I mentioned below.

I kinda had an idea it had something to do with the 12 steps but I didn't know exactly how because it didn't really make sense unless I thought of it as helping others who are struggling with staying sober.
Thankyou both

Spiritual growth is perpetuated by both compassion and selflessness... what way depends on the approach and or the for the lack of better word the ...Motive.... Ommmm.... Really!!!:)))

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SoWNZArc9Dw

Oh this convinced me of the previous statement Years ago ..Just In case K HaaHa
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BLTAf6SDIqQ

" I thought of it as helping others who are struggling with staying sober. " In my opinion its a big part.

Or maybe the world is far more interconnected than outer connected hmmm...What a concept noooooooooo:)))
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=M9BNoNFKCBI

Well if you read the long version of the 12th step, or the 12th step in the big book "instructions" section you'll find it says something along those lines.

"freely ye have received; freely give" is the core of this part of Step 12."
http://www.aa.org/twelveandtwelve/en_pdfs/en_step12.pdf

But I should add it doesnt *threaten* that you'll drink if you don't do all the 12 step work that's suggested. Its more subtle than that. I would guess the person who said the above to you, if that's how they said it, was taking what they read (or overheard) a step further than the BB. that often happens.

Hey Bob, Here's a nice read ... read under The Heading "Death" too .Its really a peculiar world we each individually find ourselves in As to what constitutes being of service and or What meaning this life can give us ...Whos the Helper and Whos being Helped rings loudly in - between my ears Most dayssss:)))

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ch%C3%B6gyam_Trungpa

It's like love - if I give more love out, if I love unconditionally, if I share love to everyone in my life and even strangers, I find love coming my way. In fact, I feel even more love than what I have given out. It's like the 11th step prayer - I understand to be understood, forgive to be forgiven, etc. What I have learned from others is something I share with newcomers, and in doing so, my own program gets stronger, I am more spiritually fit, and am able to give more to others. It's a wonderful thing :)

I think it means 12 step work.

One of the most profound experiences I have had in sobriety - was early on. I got a call from someone who was going on a 12 step call - to a woman who had been drinking for weeks - straight - when she ran out of booze, she got so desperate that she was drinking her perfume.

When we walked into this gorgeous condo on the water in the Marina outside of Los Angeles - the stench was almost impossible to stand. She had not been able to get out of bed to urinate for a long time and urinated in the bed she was laying in - and she was doing her best to impress us with all of her riches.

I was able to sit and talk to her for hours and after 2 weeks or so - I saw her at a meeting - one of my 12step friends, had taken her to. She was actually trying to get sober. She thanked me for coming to her house and talking to her. (how she could remember that - I don't know).

But in essence - I had given my knowledge to her about how she could get sober - and it made me a stronger member of AA.

So that's what I think giving it away to remain sober, is about.

My head does peculiar things where this is concerned, I think...I like the idea of loving someone but I'd like to be pretty sure that they'll love me back before I'm willing to chance my arm...I'd like to respect everyone just as they are, but I'd rather start with those folks I think already respect me...they're more deserving somehow, I suppose :) I'll do anyone a favour but now, I wouldn't want to get taken for a ride, would I? No point doing for the folks who wouldn't do for me or so my head tells me...

There's a sense of something which is important to contented living for me, I first experienced it in early sobriety and it comes and goes since then. I'm going to call it Unconditional Compassion. This, I find is like a bottomless purse. I give it away and there's always plenty left. Soon as I start to worry about how much is left, I don't quite have the same sense anymore.

Just my take

P