One thing I notice today is the lack of talk and probably performance in what this program proclaims as part and parcel of what being sober means: Unity, Service, and Recovery. What seems to be lacking, in my estimation, is involvement. That means service.
I could be wrong. I hope I am. But when I was growing up in this program, service played a big part in my staying sober. Not just me, but a whole lot of us, who got involved in the group. It was a cooperative effort. Taking part in being trusted servants. I didn’t care for that, but at my sponsor’s urgings, I took on those roles. First as secretary of my home group, later program chairman, treasurer twice, coffee maker a number of times.
We were also urged to come early and stay late to open up, set up, clean up. There were hospital meetings, jail, probation, and prison meetings. Going to mental institutions. And, a big one for me, founding and opening up new groups in our area.
Of course, back in those days, there were opportunities for Twelfth Step calls. Plenty of these on an almost daily basis. But, as we know today, the introduction of rehabs pretty much put an end to these. The old timers used to call them “spin drys”.
Getting involved in a home group and branching out into other activities gave everyone a turn at being of service. In fact, other than going out on calls to rescue the suffering alcoholic, there’s no better way than making sure there is a place for the alcoholic to find the solution to his or her drinking problem than being of service.
Today, as I was thinking about the program, I remembered those days. They were important and burned an image of what AA is all about into my consciousness. In fact there was a lot of fun and learning about sobriety and how this program works in taking on the responsibility of serving others. I always remember Sandy B. saying the highest office a member of this program can aspire to is that of servant. Amen to that.
There’s a lot for all of us to do, as I learned, to help the group and the suffering alcoholic. Not the least is to assume the role of being a sponsor to another alcoholic. Being able to show the new man or woman how this program works is an honor and a privilege. It gives someone like me to actively participate in helping someone stay sober and grow up in this program.
Anyway, just thinking about this.