Nice photo of Alaska.
When I give a talk, I make sure to very clearly name a topic. It is frustrating when a speaker just wanders around in their share and then fails to name a topic.
I am going to give a talk later and (taa daa) today's topic is :
IT'S IN THE BOOK ..
AND IT MEANS A LOT TO ME..
Please share YOUR own special passages in the A.A. Big Book.
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Why do people drink alcohol?
IT'S IN THE BOOK (The Doctor's Opinion) and IT MEANS A LOT TO ME
Men and women drink essentially because they like the effect produced by alcohol.
Translation : Men and women drink to change how they feel!
IT'S NOT IN THE BOOK (and I don't hear the below words said in meetings) BUT SHOULD BE..
The purpose of the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous is to make us feel good about ourselves! The theory being, IF we feel good about ourselves, we don't need alcohol to change how we are feeling. I can't explain why an alcoholic drinks (knowing what is going to happen) to 'celebrate' after their team wins the Super Bowl.
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Stopping drinking isn't the issue, staying stopped is the issue!
IT'S IN THE BOOK (page 553, the final story) and IT MEANS A LOT TO ME..
It's no great trick to stop drinking; the trick is to stay stopped. To do that, I had to come to A.A. to learn how to handle sobriety -- which is what I could not handle in the first place. That's why I drank.
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What to do about your alcoholism?
IT'S IN THE BOOK (page 58, How It Works) and IT MEANS A LOT TO ME..
If you have decided you want what we have, and are willing to go to any length to get it -- then you are ready to take certain steps.
For me it means to continue to do steps 10, 11 and 12!
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After one has stopped, or is even still in the process of stopping drinking, what is the best action to take?
IT'S IN THE BOOK (page 89, Working With Others and page 15 as well) and IT MEANS A LOT TO ME..
Practical experience shows that nothing will so much insure immunity from drinking as intensive work with other alcoholics. It works when other activities fail.
We would not exist if, back in the early days, people with one day of not drinking had not themselves gone to St. Thomas Hospital to help 'the man in the hospital bed'.
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A challenge we all seem to face?
IT'S IN THE BOOK (page 62, How It Works see also page 14, Bill's Story) and IT MEANS A LOT TO ME..
Selfishness -- self-centeredness. That we think is the root of our troubles.
One of MY solutions..
I focus upon the below sentence of the Third Step Prayer.
Relieve me of the bondage of self, that I may better do Thy Will.
Road rage is an example of being selfish and self-centered. Get out of my way! Don't you know I have things to do and places to be!
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When I GET aggitated, when I get angry, what do I do?
IT'S IN THE BOOK (page 87, Into Action) and IT MEANS A LOT TO ME..
As we go through the day we pause, when aggitated or doubtful, and ask for the right thought or action.
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Bottom Line? What have we really got in A.A.?
IT'S IN THE BOOK (pages 15, 28 and 81) and IT MEANS A LOT TO ME..
It is a design for living that works in rough going. A new life has been given us or, if you prefer, "A design for living" that really works.
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Another challenge we all seem to face? Stopping or cutting back on 'doing the deal'.
IT'S IN THE BOOK (page 85, Into Action) and IT MEANS A LOT TO ME..
It is easy to let up on the spiritual program of action and rest on our laurels. We are headed for trouble if we do for alcohol is a subtle foe. We are not cured of alcoholism. What we really have is a daily reprieve contingent upon the maintenance of our spiritual condition.
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Enough for me.
The topic is : Please share with the group some of your very own special passages in the Big Book.
Below for you to enjoy, is a photo of Doctor Bob's Home in Akron, Ohio.
Thanks for allowing me to share the above thoughts with you.
By the way, IF there are any newcomers in the meeting, I immediately go to a Step One meeting format.