One of the problems I have found (and I know I’m not alone) are those meetings which are open for topics. The quizzical thing about that is that very often the topics are not presented in relation to alcohol or drinking alcohol. Nothing about putting this program into action on a daily basis. Rarely anything spiritual.
Typical today. Someone brought up a problem with sitting with children, taking care of them, and the problems this presents to them. Kind of like bringing up relationships. Oh, that’s right that’s just what it was. And guess what? Many responses were opinions and advice.
Anything to do with drinking or not drinking?
Why are we there? To give advice and opinions? Or did I come to the meeting today to find what I always need. Reminders. Someone to remind me of what it is I have forgotten.
Makes me go back and ask what the primary purpose of the group is. Oh, that’s right, the Fifth Tradition. The group’s primary purpose is to carry the AA message to the alcoholic, who still suffers. And that person isn’t always the new man or woman. Often it can be an old timer. We’re still human and need help.
I remember my sponsor and some of those old timers telling me that my personal problems were not subjects for discussion at meetings. I was to leave them outside of the room and come in and listen. Those things were for my sponsor and my AA friends. I was told to clear my mind and get it open and listen to how this program works for alcoholics like myself.
The group’s primary purpose is still important for an old jerk like myself. I can learn how to get along with others by working these Steps. For instance the Tenth Step tells me that whenever I’m disturbed there’s something wrong with me and that I need to take care of it. How do I do that? Oh, that’s right there are Steps for almost every phase of living, if I will put them into action. But, if no one is willing to bring them up and talk about them and would rather go someplace else and give advice and opinions I’m not going to get a chance to hear about them.
I can’t stay sober by myself I have to go to meetings and hear what I need to hear in order to maintain my sobriety. I need to hear about the spiritual solution. That there is even a spiritual solution. I need to be reminded of what it is that works. How about the Second Step that started all this for me?
I need to hear from others like myself, who are grateful for all they have been given, as a result of coming into this program. Anyway, I just needed to sit down and think about why it is we came here in the first place. To stop drinking, to get sober, and stay sober. And then be willing to give thanks and help someone like ourselves to get sober and stay sober.