Weekly AA Thread - July 27 - Aug 2

[Mackeral]

Weekly AA Thread - July 27 - Aug 2

Good morning all,

I went to my first AA meeting last night, what a pleasent surprise, and what a lovely group of people.
I dont know what i was expecting but it was'nt what i had in mind. The first 5 mins were a little awkward. I walked in as a chap was reading and had to ask in my best possible mime if this was actually the AA meeting to which a very nice woman nodded with a bit of a smirk on her face.
I must have been exspecting old men with long white dirty beards wearing bobble hats with a carrier bag of cans at their feet. But surprise surprise these people were quite normal. Like me infact. The more i listened to each person the more and more i realised they were just like me. But with one difference, they were all so at ease, and spoke about their drinking with an effortless fluidity, even cracking the odd joke and mocking how they used to think and behave. It was quite spellbinding.

I was asked towards the end if i'd like to share anything? . I did but i did'nt if that makes sence. I was so in awe of these people i did'nt want to come across as a bumbling idiot. Better i spend a little time thinking about what im going to say rather than try and spit out 15 yrs of drinking in a 5 minute jumble.

All in all i was really impressed, so much infact that im missing my beloved Monday night football to go to my second meeting tonight. And who knows. i might even open my mouth this time

[Popeye]

Weekly AA Thread - July 27 - Aug 2

Good going Macks.
I enjoy my meetings when I get to them, but like you, I was very nervous and didn't know what to expect at first. It does come as surprise (though I can't imagine why now) to find that the other people are just like us. Ordinary human beings trying to get a grip of themselves and finding their way to a better way of life. I still think that I bumble and mumble like an imbecile sometimes but I'm getting better at sharing my story. I enjoy listening to others too. Maybe some of them enjoy listening to me. I've made some friends and I'm sober. All-in-all a very nice experience.

[Doggygirl]

Weekly AA Thread - July 27 - Aug 2

Hi all! Stop it's good to see you. Yes, I find I have to walk a fine line between developing good and positive relationships with people at AA, but avoiding the "human nature" traps of gossip, etc. that seem to be present wherever people are present. For me, attending a variety of different meetings seems to help keep it all fresh and also keep my own propensity for negative stuff in check. And I agree with WF - don't ever let a few bad apples spoil your sobriety. For me, my sobriety HAS to be #1 at all times. Good for you realizing that AA had it's benefits for you even though everything wasn't perfect.

WF I too am amazed when reading the Big Book and other materials how alcohol addiction hasn't changed in all these years. Mack, this goes a bit to your post - there is a guy who I see quite a bit who is very articulate - I always like listening to him when he speaks up. He talks about how he always thought he was unique - his problems, his addiction, his family issues, etc. etc. He often says he is grateful to have realized that there are lots of other people just like him to share this journey with. It's a lot less lonely that way! He is right about that.

Glad you had a good experience Mack. I can't always put my finger on why, but AA seems to be helping me stay sober and that's what counts. I am also becoming more aware of "doing the next right thing" instead of thinking of only myself 24X7. That is a good change too.

Pops, good to see you as always! Every time I see your avatar I think how we haven't gone camping yet this summer. I need to talk to Mr. D about going on a weekender after labor day.

Speaking of different meetings - I just got back from a 5AM meeting in a nearby town. It's where the Sr. goes regularly that I will be doing my 5th step with later in August. It was a smaller group than I'm used to and all new faces except for Sister. But everything else was quite familiar like a comfortable old pair of shoes. I'm glad I went! Very nice people and since I'm an early bird, I'm sure I will go there again. And I still have plenty of time to post before leaving for a 7:30 work related meeting. This beats nursing the Monday hangover by a LONG country mile!

DG