Interesting conversation with a friend of mine. It was about the composition of groups around and about the country. Down in Texas and Philadelphia. Same up here, more or less. Seen the same in a couple of other places.
Seems in a lot of groups that there are “old timers”. People with 30 or more years. Then a big gap in between them and the “newer people”. Newly sober and up to two years or a few more. Interesting. Never really stopped to think about it.
The concern of my friend, also has been a concern of mine for a long time. The future of AA after we’re gone. I have often thought about that and it makes me bring up the Traditions at times in meetings. Not going into that at the moment, but I know I love this program and hope that it will always be around.
I know what the program has done for me and so many alcoholics like myself. The chronic alcoholic, who could never get sober by himself. As Dr. Jung pointed out, the only way out was a spiritual experience. And following that lead AA was formed and the Twelve Steps were written so as to lead us to a spiritual awakening or experience. The importance of leading a spiritual life, which neutralizes the power alcohol had over someone like me. Not cured, but the disease is arrested, as long as I don’t pick up a drink again.
The necessary changes we have to make to our lives is right there in the Steps. The following of the path laid out for us. The maintenance of our spiritual condition.
I had a thought about the difference in meetings, when I came in back in the early 70s. Back then they were basically Step meetings. Covering the Traditions and the BB. Eventually meetings changed to “discussion” meetings. Often bringing up topics where expectations of “therapy” became the main subject. Emotional topics. Often nothing to do with sobriety or alcoholism as such. That could explain some of the above.
I know that some of us are trying to get the group into the Fifth Tradition on a regular basis. The primary purpose of the group to carry the AA message to the alcoholic who suffers. And, as I have often said, that could be the new person or an old timer. The need to hear that there is a solution. A spiritual solution.
Anyway, I had to stop and think about this tonight. I know how important my sobriety is and I want to share it with others, when I get the opportunity. I’m so grateful for what I have been given and want others to have the same. A free and happy sober life.