July AA Thread

[retteacher]

July AA Thread

BG: I just read "The 5 Keys to Accepting What You Cannot Change." Lots of wisdom there & much like the AA program. Thanks for that link.

Last night's step 7 meeting has me thinking about humility. As I look my character defects, I realize that's the first step...accepting that I'm not perfect & that I have these defects. I know I would be happier wo/them. So, there's food for thought there for me.

Mary

[bettygirl]

July AA Thread

humility...what a great topic, and so important.

strange meeting tonight...my homegroup decided at group conscience to make it ok for people to talk about their hp in direct terms (jesus, savior etc...) I wasn't there to vote, and even if I had been, I wouldn't have voted against it, because that has always been the feel of the group...they are Nazarenes! I do, however feel like it isn't the best group for me, but my sponsor started the meeting and its at her church, so I feel sort of obligated to go. I need to talk to her about my feelings, as I don't want to get resentful. I know she'll understand, but I do feel weird about it for some reason. I always say, whatever works for people, but I feel like I don't really talk about my beliefs and I feel uncomfortable when they preach/share about "the holy spirit". it was voted on, and approved, so I guess I should find another home group. anyway...thanks for listening, I kind of had to work that out, I guess!

peace

[retteacher]

July AA Thread

BG: I'm not an atheist, but I do have agnostic leanings. I would feel extremely uncomfortable in a group where a particular HP is mentioned. I honestly don't feel that's the spirit of AA. It's the god of our understanding, & if that's simply the AA group, our sponsor, our dog, etc., so be it. It's mentioned over & over in the lit that AA is not a religion.

I think I would speak w/my sponsor about all this, being as honest as I could be. For me, without AA, I would drink again. I'm still new to the program. Recently, someone spoke up at a meeting about people who are not open-minded about others' conceptions of a HP. I really need AA to be inclusive of everyone. Jesus, our savior, Allah, Buddha, etc. can certainly be a person's HP, but it doesn't have to come out at an open meeting. I think I would have voted against.

Anyhow, I hope all this resolves itself for you. Let us know how it turns out. Having your sponsor be a member of the church is a bit of a complication.

Mary

[retteacher]

July AA Thread

I discussed this whole thing w/my husb who is in Alanon. He reminded me that AA is a SPIRITUAL program not a religious one. The same goes for Alanon. M

[bettygirl]

July AA Thread

yep...that's why I feel uncomfortable. I am a spiritual atheist, but I can't relate to the "savior" stuff...i'll figure it out. thanks for thinking about it

I've been kind of off AA for a while...i'm looking for a rational recovery or smart recovery group online because there aren't any in person in my area. maybe I can start one...Washington has tons of meetings, but none in the town where I live...dang it!

i'll still go to AA, I just feel like I get stuck in the higher power dilemma a lot and if there is a solution to that (another recovery program), why not try it?

take care all!!


ps, did I tell you guys, i'm going to start school this fall for drug and alcohol counseling? i'm excited!

peace

[Determinator]

July AA Thread

Betty, a member from my home group showed me an athiest/agnostic 12 steps that I thought was very good. I did a search and found it here:

AA Agnostics

[retteacher]

July AA Thread

Deter: Many thanks. Mary

[Cinders]

July AA Thread

Det,

I love the "revised" 12-Steps for agnostics. It is funny I am not agnostic nor atheist but I still have issues with the HP "saving me" kind of thing. Even though I believe quite willingly that Jesus died on the cross a horrible death to save all mankind.

I think it is the ingrained training of my youth that freedom of choice is ours and when we take the wrong path, it is our obligation to get back onto the right path.

I agree that AA is a spiritual rather than religious organization. I am sure some groups are much more Christian-centric than others. Here in the south even more so.

My group started because they did not like the hard core AA format of the main group in town. They also meet in a church but refuse to ally themselves with the religious version of AA, I believe it is called Celebrate Recovery.

On the other hand, my group does say The Lord's Prayer at the end of every meeting. That is definitely a Christian prayer.

It is confusing, to say the least.

I love the Lord's Prayer but always feel uncomfortable when I am with the AA group knowing so many there are not Christians.

On the other hand, a friend in AA who is an atheist told me that his HP is the "good" side of himself. I find that a very comforting idea.

At the end of the day, AA, like all communities of human beings, cannot claim perfection. Nonetheless, the concepts of the 12 Steps are good ways to live. Honesty, integrity, making amends when we do the wrong thing, caring about others and giving unselfishly of ourselves to the benefit of others. So, I will continue with AA and take what I can use and leave the rest.

Cindi

ps BG, My daddy's eyesight became very poor in his 60s due to macular degeneration. He was very brave about it all the way to his death. My right eye has vision issues due to lesions on my right brain lobe. I hope I can be as brave as my daddy. Sending positive thoughts to your husband and you.

[retteacher]

July AA Thread

Cindi: I too think of my higher power as the "higher" part of myself...as guided by AA & maybe some universal HP. My "lower" power is that drinking, self-center, dishonest part of myself that lurks in the shadows. Each minute of each day is a choice for me to follow my higher or lower power.

My mother has macular degeneration. Should I get it, I hope I can be as accepting as possible. I love to knit & read, & m.d. would really curtail those activities. Good luck to you. I can attest to the fact that it isn't easy getting older.

Mary

[bettygirl]

July AA Thread

A Buddhist’s Non-Theist 12 Steps | Realistic Recovery

here's another version (or is it the same?) anyway, it's the one I use in my head and when I was working the steps.

thanks for the support guys, I really don't have problems with other's views or beliefs, I am just inherently bothered by the lord's prayer and the prostelatizing in meetings. rather than change AA, I will change my approach. like I said, I will always go to AA meetings because I love the fellowship and a lot of the people I have come to be friends with are important to me, as are you guys here. nothing wrong with AA at all, just me I kid, it's not "WRONG" just my views

I like the higher power is the good part of a person. that is so apt and so true amongst many atheists I have known and been friends or family with. :thanks:

take care all!

[bettygirl]

July AA Thread

A Buddhist?s Non-Theist 12 Steps | Realistic Recovery

here's another version (or is it the same?) anyway, it's the one I use in my head and when I was working the steps.

thanks for the support guys, I really don't have problems with other's views or beliefs, I am just inherently bothered by the lord's prayer and the prostelatizing in meetings. rather than change AA, I will change my approach. like I said, I will always go to AA meetings because I love the fellowship and a lot of the people I have come to be friends with are important to me, as are you guys here. nothing wrong with AA at all, just me I kid, it's not "WRONG" just my views

I like the higher power is the good part of a person. that is so apt and so true amongst many atheists I have known and been friends or family with. :thanks:

take care all!

[retteacher]

July AA Thread

Hi Everyone:

This morning's meeting was from "Living Sober." We read about all the "if's" that made us drink...excuses really. I think that one of the biggest lessons I've had to learn in sobriety is how to take life on life's terms. I kept expecting live to be trouble/stress-free. That's just not how it is. Life on life's terms comes w/its ups & downs. I realize that now, & to drink about every little problem is totally ridiculous. That's just what I did. I drank when:
-I had a fender-bender.
-I had a fight w/one of my loved ones.
-I had an uncomfortable moment.
-& on & on & on!

What a way to live. I'm so grateful to have a program today. It helps me see that I really cannot control life. Why would I want to do that anyway?

I hope all is well w/all of you out there.

Mary

[witts end]

July AA Thread

back home again
still af for july

[retteacher]

July AA Thread

WE: Very good work! The longer you go along, the easier it gets to go wo/alcohol. In the beginning, it might be a good idea to watch out for triggers...bars, insomnia, social gatherings, etc. That doesn't mean you can never go...just be a little bit vigilant.

I do not take my sobriety for granted. When I did that, I relapsed after 3 years sober. I've heard countless stories of relapse after many, many years. I don't want to do that again, so it's up to me to watch out for myself.

Take care.

M

[witts end]

July AA Thread

sorry but I'm not going back there again ...not worth it