Message #1
Professor and the Paradoxes - Lost John you're going to have to do some
shaking sooner or later.
This was put to Lost John when he was drying out. I found that I did some
shaking sooner or later when I really started working the steps, at first
shakingly fearful when trying something new - then calm and peace when it
worked.
-submitted by rs
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Message #2
Now about health: A body badly burned by alcohol does not often recover
overnight nor do twisted thinking and depression vanish in a twinkling.(pg
133 BB) Time and desire overcome even the worst of this if the steps are
being actively worked. Old timers often gasp when the modern are so often
using drugs for this that were unavailable, since, they sweated through
'years' of depression and fear!
-submitted by rs
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Message #3
The primary fact that we fail to recognize is our total inability to form a
true partnership with another human being.(s.4/12&12). Dominance or
dependence, the critic or scapegoat, and controlling or controlled. Recovery
is for and about self, we must or we die, so we must learn how to become
healthy with others in order that the means is created for the end.
-submitted by rs
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Message #4
The Big Book states "God has abundantly supplied this world with fine
doctors, psychologists, and practitioners of various kinds. Do not hesitate
to take your health problems to such persons" (Big Book pg 133). As is with
modern medicine, we are able to use our newly found God-given abilities to
increase the health and happiness of others. In fact, not only are we able
to, the program states that it is our duty (Step 12, pg 60).
-submitted by jc
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Message #5
Wearing the World as a Loose Garment. That can bring to mind the saying
"not to take yourself so seriously" or "life is too important to take
seriously". Question sometimes like this, Am I getting caught up in
something that is transitory and will pass - giving to much power to a event
or person and forgetting myself.
-submitted by rs
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Message #6
Misery shared is misery halved, joy shared is joy doubled. This is a short
phrase that is a good reminder why we go to meetings and are open. The
number one reason that AAs give for not succeeding is : I stopped going to
meetings and forgot...
-submitted by rs
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Message #7
You people showed me how. This is often made by people that do not feel part
of the group or are still looking down the nose at others, a much loved now
deceased old timer once stated. Question like this: Is it them or we, for me
and if it is them - why?
-submitted by rs
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Message #8
Each step is the conclusion of the last, a step in and of itself, and the beginning of the next. Step One starts at the end of "being out there", is a conclusion in and of itself, and opens for Step Two via the insanity of unmanageability and powerlessness. Do I recognize the order and interdependence of the Steps?
-submitted by rs
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Message #9
I can't , We can - next part - with God's help! Easy Does It - next part -
but Do It! God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change,
the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the
difference, -next part - Your will not mine be done!
-submitted by rs
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Message #10
At first many of us just white knuckle it, which is holding on so tight that
our knuckles turn white, and that is okay, no shame in it. We just don't
drink or drug under any and all circumstances. Slowly, oh so slowly the
program and God brings the miracle.
-submitted by rs
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Message #11
Disparagingly called "white knuckling it" to the newcomer, sometimes that is
all they have as newcomer trudges their way to spiritual sobriety. Oh, "fake
it till you make it" and they are encouraged to lie. Reaching sobriety takes
"cards on the table" honesty.
-submitted by rs
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Message #12
Step 2 like Step 1 is a realization or conclusion of the mind, the action of
these first two steps is a personal mental process. Step 2 opens with man
can't - God can. With this belief established Step 2 immediately ties into
Step 3. The lack of sanity regarding alcohol and life is the full
recognition of Step 1.
-submitted by rs
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Message #13
Excuses, blame, justification. Poor me or justified anger. Am I turning my
shoulda, coulda, woulda into I can! and I will!?
-submitted by rs
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Message #14
When I first came into program, I was told that the Big Book was full of
promises. I only heard twelve of them on page 84. As the years went by, my
eyes were opened to more and more of them. Am I recognizing the promises
throughout the Big Book as I work the steps.
-submitted by rs
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Message #15
Right after The Doctor's Opinion and The first personal story - the first
promise. The title of chapter three is the promise. "There is a Solution".
Yes, there is a solution, the twelve steps and God.
-submitted by rs
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Message #16
An old timer once said: the steps are the program. Then a more loquacious
teacher stated it like this: There is "a" solution, the solution is the
steps, the steps are the program. There is "a" program.
-submitted by rs
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Message #17
If we give away money, say ten dollars, just because that day are being nice
to the unfortunate, we give a dollar here two dollars there and soon we are
out of money. If we give away the program we have more and more of what we
are giving away, interesting aye? If we give away love.......
-submitted by rs
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Message #18
Today, I have serenity; the serenity to deal with the things that I couldn't before.
"Only today?" you ask.
"Yes" I reply. "Today is all I have to think about. That's the beauty of it."
-submitted by jc
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Message #19
I am alcoholic. Like saying "I am diabetic" or "I am hypertensive", being alcoholic refers to having a disease. A disease of the mind and body that, currently, there is no known cure.
There is a well tested, free, and effective treatment found in meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous.
-submitted by jc
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Message #20
That's how it is whenever we need to do something new and wonderful. Scary
and uncomfortable at first, then soothing and soon becoming second nature.
God has his plan for us all; let it be in his hands and all will be well.
-submitted by jc
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Message #21
An old-timer said; You get out of the program what you put into it. Put in
little, you get little, put in a lot, you get a lot. It is a choice and a
decision.
-submitted by rs
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Message #22
Resentments simply defined is revisiting or re seeing old hurts and angers.
Every time the hurt or anger is revisited, it is a little worse or harder or
longer or.... Am I using the tools of writing, sponsor, and prayer so that
resentment loses it's power over me?
-submitted by rs
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Message #23
I have held many things in my hands, and I have lost them all; but whatever I have placed in God’s hands, I still possess.
-From “Intergroup Concerns” – Winter 2003
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Message #24
In order to change the way we feel, we need to change the way we act. There is only one way to coast, and that is down hill.
-From “Intergroup Concerns” – Winter 2003
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Message #25
I can’t do His will my way.
-From “Intergroup Concerns” – Winter 2003
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Message #26
Directions versus suggestions. I have yet to add them up but I was told:
Where ever the BB uses the word suggestion it is talking about taking
suggestions from a person. Where ever the BB uses the direction it is
talking about taking directions from God.
-submitted by rs
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Message #27
Behind these observations is a world of ignorance and misunderstanding (BB
pg.20). Lord grant that I may be understanding than understood (12&12
pg.99). People outside the program will probably never understand and that
is okay, I get what I need from the people in the program.
-submitted by rs
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Message #28
I have been very hungry, or worked hard and been very tired, or been lonely
through my own doing, angry because I did not get something I wanted or my way.
Did not think drink. I have gotten restless, irritated, and discontent, and
....... of course what came to mind? It is not always the extremes that ...
-submitted by rs
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Message #29
Old - brainstorm, today - sudden rage: Old - craving, today - addiction.
After taking the first drink the addiction kicks in (old - craving). Until
the first drink is taken it is a mental obsession, then when the drink is
taken the craving sets in oops addiction sets in. Of course there is the
physical ...
-submitted by rs
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Message #30
If I am stirred up about something I am learning. It always ends up being
God's will whether I make a choice based on self will or not. Usually self
will leads to pain and of course it is God's will I learn....
-submitted by rs
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Message #31
To choose to die is insane. To drink for the alcoholic is to die. therefore,
to drink is insane. No matter how much knowledge and self will an alcoholic
has it is insufficient to stop from taking that first drink. The power must
come from God.
-submitted by rs
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Message #32
Always the alkies have to learn from experience. ya say you go to the barber
shop to get a haircut and you go to the bar to...? And still The alkies go.
Some slip some don't. If learning from the mistakes of other was a
prerequisite for the program there wouldn't be very many members. We must
always check our motives.
-submitted by rs
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Message #33
Men sponsor men; women sponsor women. BUT! There is no "but" to it. WHY? If
you have to ask why you are not ready to sponsor anyone no matter how long
you have been around.
-submitted by rs
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Message #34
Amends are the mending of relationships that I have damaged through my
childish, selfish, irresponsible, demanding, controlling aka drinking days.
There are some relationships that should not be amended, these relationships
only need an honest regret expressed and move on to healthier pursuits. What
is my motive and have I talked to my sponsor before making an amend?
-submitted by rs
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Message #35
An Old Timer said "Grab your back side and hold on, you're in for a ride". This was one
way the old timers said there are going to be ups and downs but it is well
worth it. Willingness is the key. Am I grateful for the wisdom of the old
timers?
-submitted by rs
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Message #36
Sharing our experience strenght and hope. One way I have found to handle
situations that used to baffle me was listening to the experienced and
mature members and apply the successful solutions they present. Do I listen
closely and apply what I hear?
-submitted by rs
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Message #37
As we go through the day we pause, when agitated or doubtful, and ask for
the right thought or action (BB pg.87). Am I taking the time I need to
reflect and use the tools that I have been taught? How important is it
really and my purpose is to be of maximum service to God and the people
about me?
-submitted by rs
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Message #38
Abundance of knowledge does not teach men to be wise. (Heraclitus) Wisdom is
a curious combination of Knowledge, Experience, and Love. Question like
this. Am I learning from my mistakes and successes then applying the
knowledge and experience, tempering it with love and making wise choices.
-submitted by rs
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Message #39
Garbage in - Garbage out. Truth in - Truth out. Am I participating in the
spiritual life? Am I putting in my mind the very best? The mind needs to be
fed just like the body! Feed it right and it performs!
-submitted by rs
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Message #40
"But with the alcoholic whose hope is the maintenance and growth of a
spiritual experience...(BB pg.66)". Resentments, fears, and self esteem are
worked on in the fourth step but there is still a way to go. Am I selflessly
and lovingly giving myself to others and God? Am I doing the best to Grow
toward the person God wants me to be.
