MANY OF YOU WILL NOT HAVE THE OPPORTUNITY TO VISIT THE MANY IMPORTANT HISTORICAL SITES OF THE FELLOWSHIP OF ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS. I PLAN TO SHARE WITH YOU PHOTOS I HAVE TAKEN OF THEM AS WELL AS PHOTOS I HAVE TAKEN OF SPECIAL MEETING LOCATIONS THAT I HAVE VISITED.
FINDING MEETINGS IN A LARGE CITY can, at best, be quite a challenge. Here, in the greater Phoenix Arizona Metropolitan area, there are approximately 1,800 meetings each week. One is at a meeting location known as the Pigeon Coop.
Obviously, although it took some effort, we found the Pigeon Coop. It is located in a large shopping area and it is set back from the street. IF you know where it is, you can see it from the street but, at the same time, it is sort of hidden away.
The instant we finally came upon the Pigeon Coop we two howled.
Do all of you see why we laughed out loud?
Just look at what is located immediately beside the Pigeon Coop?
Dr. Bob's Coffee!
Hard to miss the Pigeon Coop!
There are many meetings of several different programs of recovery here at the Pigeon Coop. We were warmly welcomed and enjoyed the meeting we attended.
Welcome to year 2020. Now ending its first full month.
For those of us 'in recovery', January, the first month of the year, means Step 1.
Step 1 in its most basic sense is the admission that we have a problem. Pure and simple. IF one does not admit, IF one does not know, IF one does not accept the reality of a problem, there can be no solution to the same said problem can there?
Page 30 of the A.A. Big Book, More About Alcoholism, clearly states this:
We learned that we had to fully concede to our innermost selves that we were alcoholics. This is the first step in recovery.
It goes on to state on page 31 that ..
Despite all we can say, many who are real alcoholics are not going to believe they are in that class. By every form of self-deception and experimentation, they will try to prove themselves exceptions to the rule, therefore nonalcoholic.
It is oft said that Step 1 is the only step we can do perfectly.
This brings me to the definition of the word alcoholic.
Again back to page 30 where it states..
We alcoholics are men and women who have lost the ability to control our drinking.
I feel that many of us honestly believe that we can control our drinking. This flawed thinking causes many to pick up that first drink that begins the cycle of relapse.
For me personally I use the below definition..
I am an alcoholic because I cannot guarantee my actions after I take a drink of alcohol.
Good Luck and Best Wishes in Year 2020.
