District 7 Sunbeam. Volume IV Issue 12

Transcription

1 Volume IV Issue 12 Welcome to the issue of the District 7 Newsletter. This month is my last issue as your alcoholic editor. It s been an interesting 2 years, getting the District news out to 150 of you out there in the ether. I don t know about you, but it s been fun for me. I ve learned a few things, and I ve been too busy to think about drinking... Kate S. will be editing the Sunbeam starting with the January issue. Thank you, Kate, for your willingness to do this service! Happy Holiday wishes to you all! In a December 1955 Grapevine, our cofounder, Bill W., wrote: It is by self-forgetting that one finds; it is by giving that one receives This is the finest gift of all. Thanks to Mike W. for his article about service in prison. If your program is getting boring, check out the article on page 6. Keep in mind that some of this material is not Conference Approved and may not be found in the Big Book. In those cases, please feel free to disregard it. As we say, take what you need and leave the rest (which is also not in the Big Book). Please consider writing a short (or even long) article that shares your experience, strength, and hope with the rest of the District 7 newsletter readers. Send your contributions, suggestions, and requests to be added to the distribution to: Jack S-O, Alcoholic Editor District7Newsletter@gmail.com District 7 Monthly Business Meetings are held at 7:30 pm on the 2nd Wednesday of the month at Christ the King Episcopal Church, 3021 State Route 213 East, Stone Ridge, NY If you re a Group Service Representative (GSR), please plan to attend and represent your group. If your home group is not represented by a GSR, why not volunteer to be GSR? Service is gratitude in action. Mission Statement: The District 7 Newsletter is published monthly and is distributed as an in an effort to be more eco-friendly, as well as to reduce postage and printing costs. Please feel free to forward this , because we are unable to reach all our District 7 members, especially at the group level. If you want your contributions to be included in the newsletter, please us at District7Newsletter@gmail.com The District 7 Newsletter committee will do its best to make this a valuable resource for communication, and to allow the members of our District to keep in touch with each other, further strengthening the unity of our fellowship. Copyright 2013 All Rights Reserved HMB District 7 A.A. and Alcoholics Anonymous are registered trademarks of Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc. Some material reprinted from AA service materials with permission of A.A. World Services, Inc. Step 12 Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these Steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs. Tradition 12 Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities. Concept XII The Conference shall observe the spirit of A.A. tradition, taking care that it never becomes the seat of perilous wealth or power; that sufficient operating funds and reserve be its prudent financial principle; that it place none of its members in a position of unqualified authority over others; that it reach all important decisions by discussion, vote, and, whenever possible, by substantial unanimity; that its actions never be personally punitive nor an incitement to public controversy; that it never perform acts of government, and that, like the Society it serves, it will always remain democratic in thought and action. Page 1

2 Alternate DCM Mike C. Secretary Barbara W. Treasurer Dan B. Treatment Dennis M. Literature Kate S. Grapevine Ruth D. District 7 Trusted Servants cahillmichael36@yahoo.com bmwood0827@mac.com danbittner3@verizon.net dgmartin1948@yahoo.com resumesandmore@live.com cpa8@aol.com Cooperation with the Professional Community/Public Information (CPC/PI) William D. spiderbill3@verizon.net I ask the newcomer to help me wash the coffeepot, or put chairs away, because service was, and still is, my key to belonging. Manchester, NH, September 2000 The Key to Belonging, I Am Responsible: The Hand of AA Corrections: Guy K. Records Kevin H-B treatment@aahmbny.org records@aahmbny.org Answering Service Liaison Matthew M. maruzard@aol.com Functions Jay T. Newsletter Jack S.-O. djayjt@gmail.com District7Newsletter@gmail.com Bridging the Gap Lisa W. wexradio@gmail.com Webmaster Andrew S. andrew.spool@ .sunydutchess.edu Service Opportunities: Special Needs Alternate DCM DCM Page 2

3 District 7 Meeting Notes November 13, 2013 Meeting opened at 7:33. PM DCM (Mike): Thanks to the district for letting me go to Utica convention. Points on the panel were the traditions. Went to all 12 panels...saw a lack of interest in traditions, unfortunately. We need to look at our tradition meetings, possibly add one/month to newsletter. Next step in AA growth for Mike would be to step up for one of these panels next time. Premature thank you to Deb D. and Dan for working on the budget. Welcome Kyle - GSR for Saturday Night New Sober Life group Kingston meeting. Secretary (Barbara): Accepted minutes as is from last month (in newsletter). Treatment (Dennis): Looking for a male to take on a Saturday night meeting at the Villa. Commitment would be to bring someone every week for a meeting; the format is similar to a speaker s meeting. Andrew expressed interest. Darmstadt is hit or miss. Did You Know? Every issue of this newsletter, as well as those of most other Districts in HMB Area 48, can be found on the HMB web site: and click on the Newsletters tab. Back issues of the HMB Area Newsletter are also available there, as well as details of upcoming Area events. Literature (Kate): Time to order the HMB Area schedules. The preorder deadline is 12/1. Deb D. mentioned that during new business, we could discuss whether district will again provide for District 7 groups. Also, AA literature can now be ordered online on aa.org and look for the link. Grapevine (Ruth): Not present. Deb read Ruth s - she will be at December meeting. CPC/PI (Willliam): Not much to report except trying to check on open meeting listings to see if all is correct. Will speak to Kevin about open meeting list to update publications. Time to put out 8 week classified to Catskill Shopper and found price would be $93.50 (discounted) for 8 weeks. If you like drinking, that s your business. If you think you have a problem with drinking, that s our business. Call hotline number. Records (Kevin): Passing around meeting book to get updates. Would like to get all updates by the end of this month for new HMB directory. Corrections (Guy): All is the same as last month. Answering Service (new liaison Matthew): Still getting numbers and offered if anyone is going to Kingston, could give forms to potential (continued on page 4) Page 3

4 (continued from page 3) answering service volunteers. Leticia and Deb both offered to take forms to Kingston. Ive been absolutely terrified every moment of my life - and I ve never let it keep me from doing a single thing I wanted to do. Georgia O Keeffe Functions (Jay): Not present. Mike and Guy brought up the list for signing up for Alkathon will be at Fresh Start right after Thanksgiving. Barbara mentioned that Halloween dance was fun - could be better promoted next time. Newsletter (Jack): Will be rotating out next month. Thank you to all for the service opportunity. Noted that Kate expressed an interest in taking over. Mike C. said he plans to send out an agenda before district meetings, if elected as DCM. Treasurer (Dan): Grateful to Deb D. for her help in using a spreadsheet for treasury. Found some discrepancies and it seems at this point, that there is more money than we thought. (See Treasurer s Report on page 7). Deb D. explained part of the discrepancies due to carry over of available balance (less prudent reserve) vs. ending balance. Dan stated that the District has not paid rent to the church since 12/2010. Check was for $200 and appeared to be for a year. Dan contacted the church and asked if any rent had been paid in 2011, will arrange for 2012 and 2013 rent, pending response from the church s financial manager. Guy - agreement with the church was that we would pay what we could. Deb stated that she believes that we need to get current because we are remiss in paying rent (which was documented to be $180). Motion made to pay $360 to the church for Motion passed. Also noted that there should only be one person contacting the pastor and it should be Dan. He will send letter with rent. Also we will have more information about 2011 by the next time we meet. Webmaster (Andrew): Contacted area webmaster but no response, so he ed him today. Got from Jack S-O., giving Carla s information. Still needs to know how to get connected in order to set up web site. Would also like guidelines. Kevin noted that is a great model (Carla created it). Old Business: Deb: Thanksgiving contributions tabled last month because we didn t know how much we would have available. Lisa - thinks we should give more than last year, maybe $125. Dan - discussion last month was that we could pay (continued on page 5) Page 4

5 (continued from page 4) $200. Matthew - even after we pay the church rent, we still would have more than our prudent reserve so could pay $200. Guy - donations are down to 60%. Need $4500 for dinner and only have $3000 at this point. Motion made to pay $200, passed. Lisa voted in as Bridging the Gap chair. New Business: Lisa: Lomontville group is in trouble. Rent going up...denny made an offer. Will know on 11/19 if they will still be there. Also, went to Daytop Manor House and found out that they closed it down. Apparently, this happened quite fast. Jack: Had a conversation with Carla about taking over the meeting lists. Along with that, is considering taking over Records from Kevin. Kate: Asked about ordering HMB booklets. Deb D. explained: 36 groups books, $80.50 for HMB Area books (5/group). If any group wants more than 5, groups need to pay Kate prior to 12/1. Guy - need to order booklets for treatment, bringing total to $ Motion made and passed. Barbara: Monday night women s meeting donated 4 Living Sober books. Mike will take to detox. Expectations are premeditated resentments. Unknown William: Re: Catskill Shopper - motion made for $93.50 for 8 weeks of publication. Passed. Meeting closed at 8:41 PM with the Serenity Prayer. Secretary s Note: I will be rotating out in December and would like to thank everyone for the service opportunity. It has been a great position and I hope to do it again some time. Will see what new service position HP sends my way. Special thanks to Jack - it s been wonderful working with you! Editor s Note: When you see Barb on campus - give her a big thanks for her two years of service as an accurate, cheerful District secretary. Thank you, Barb! Page 5

6 The Behind the Walls Gang When it was suggested that I would benefit from carrying the message into a maximum security prison, I thought how could I offer strength and hope to those that might feel lost and alone and in a place where there might not seem to be any hope at all. Then I thought I too was once lost, alone, and needing strength in my life and even in my recovery. Well, it has now been five years since my first meeting behind the walls in a place I now feel comfortable going to, and a place I get to share my message of hope, love, joy, tolerance, compassion, principles before personalities, and yes even strength. I still sometimes think that this place I visit could have been my temporary home. For during my drinking career I too made bad decisions which could have led me to this yet, and for the grace of God there go I. So to sit in a chair next to those I could compare myself to is never an option for me, not at this meeting, nor at any other meeting. I have heard it said more than once that I am just a garden variety drunk just like everyone else, no better, no worse. My experience with my fellow recovering alcoholics has been a journey of getting to know myself better, an experience in understanding life happens, and a commitment I truly cherish. In fact, I have come to learn respect for these men wanting to better themselves when no one is watching, when no one seems to care, and when being sober and truly grateful for life is something to be truly thankful for. And isn t that the very essence of what it means to be a recovering alcoholic, one with integrity and gratitude for what God has given us a daily reprieve from? I have watched men want nothing more than to be a better person, to live life on life s terms, and to learn self-respect, even when family and friends have turned their backs on them. If you ve ever visited the Wilson House in E. Dorset VT, you may recognize these as some of the many AA-themed license plates on the walls in the meeting hall. These are some from NY... Life is a gift, and one day at a time behind the walls is not just words, it is a lifestyle. So, I extend an open invitation to men who would like to learn more about forgiveness, more about patience, compassion, gratefulness, and a greater experience of strength and hope. Because sometimes one day at a time is all some can handle when facing life without parole, or when a second chance is not an option. Contact Mike W. from Gardiner at mohonk922@aol.com Page 6

7 HMB District 7 Treasurer s Report November 13, 2013 Beginning Balance $2, Income Just for Today(Ellenville) $10.00 New Living Sober Life Group $90.00 High Noon $30.00 Anonymous donation $23.00 Adjustment to balance checkbook $ Suggested Seventh Tradition Contributions: (40/30/30) 40% HMB District 7 P.O. Box 1654 Kingston, NY % HMB Area Association Rt. 30, # Polar Plaza Amsterdam, NY Expenses Income subtotal $ Carla C. Meeting Lists $ Expenses subtotal $ % General Service Office (GSO) P.O. Box 459 Grand Central Station New York, NY These suggested distribution percentages can be found in the Pamphlet F-3. Self- Support: Where Money and Spirituality Mix, page 13. Ending Balance $2, Prudent Reserve $ Available Balance $1, Page 7

8 Mama, take this badge off of me. I can t use it anymore. It s gettin dark, too dark to see. I feel I m knockin on heaven s door. Bob Dylan Dear God, I m sorry about the mess I ve made of my life. I want to turn away from all the wrong things I ve ever done and all the wrong things I ve ever been. Please forgive me for it all. I know You have the power to change my life and can turn me into a winner. Thank You, God for getting my attention long enough to interest me in trying it Your way. God, please take over the management of my life and everything about me. I am making this conscious decision to turn my will and my life over to Your care and am asking You to please take over all parts of my life. Please, God, move into my heart. However You do it is Your business, but make Yourself real inside me and fill my awful emptiness. Fill me with your love and Holy Spirit and make me know Your will for me. And now, God, help Yourself to me and keep on doing it. I m not sure I want You to, but do it anyhow. I rejoice that I am now a part of Your people, that my uncertainty is gone forever, and that You now have control of my will and my life. Thank You, and I praise Your name. Amen. Dr. Bob s Third Step Prayer December Celebrations 12/1/13 Scott C. celebrates 90 days at Kingston Original. 12/9/13 Dana S. celebrates 20 years at New Leaf group in New Paltz. 12/9/13 Chris S. celebrates 21 years at New Leaf group in New Paltz. 12/23/13 Johnny W. celebrates 27 years at By the Book in Saugerties. 12/28/13 Pat S. celebrates 13 years at If Nothing Changes, Nothing Changes in Centerville. 1/1/14 Bill W. celebrates 14 years at the Wednesday Woodstock group. Meeting News 7:30 PM Wednesday Start Where You Are meeting in New Paltz now also has a beginners meeting - same time, same place. Christmas Alcathon will be on Tuesday, December 31, 2013 starting at 6:00 PM to Wednesday, January 1, 2014 at 8:00 AM. at the Saugerties Senior Center. Page 8

9 Step Eleven Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out. Our sobriety depends on the maintenance of our spiritual condition. The powerlessness and unmanageability over alcohol, other compulsions and character defects return if we do not work on maintaining our contact with a Higher Power. The result of taking Step Eleven daily is an unshakable foundation for life, Bill Wilson writes, All those who have persisted in the practice have found strength not ordinarily their own. They have found wisdom beyond their usual capacity and they have increasingly found a peace of mind which can stand firm in the face of difficult circumstances. (12x12, p.98) In Step Eleven, we complete the process of egodeflation that we began in Step One. In this Step, we act upon the decision we made in Step Three more fully. We cannot work it perfectly but we have, over time, developed a true spiritual basis for living in a humble frame of mind, putting God s will before ours. The result is happiness and peace amidst the storm. Dr. Samuel Shoemaker, Bill Wilson s spiritual advisor, said that a person must grow up and stop using God and begin to ask God to use him or her. Prayer is not trying to get God to change his will to ours; it s trying to find out what His will is and aligning ourselves or realigning ourselves with His purpose for the world and for us. Meditation is listening in the quiet for answers from God. We need to ask but we must also quiet ourselves to hear the answers. Fortunately, we have sponsors and/or spiritual advisors to help us distinguish between what we think our answers from God are and what actually are impositions of our own self-will. Dr. Shoemaker s explanation of Prayer and Meditation is a description of the Goal we re trying to reach. To begin, some find comfort in repeating memorized prayers but we can also express ourselves to our Higher Power in our own words, much as we might talk to a best friend. Some of us have been taught that there are things we shouldn t say to God or feelings we shouldn t have or express. However, now that we re recovering, we need complete freedom to express our honest feelings to Our Creator in any situation without fear of perceived reprisal or damage to our relationship with our HP. Such freedom is essential to our healing because recovery is based on the practice of being honest with us and with Our Creator. We need the security of knowing that nothing can destroy our relationship with this all loving, all-powerful source of healing and strength as we honestly explore our deepest selves. Did you ever see a robin weep When leaves begin to die? That means he s lost the will to live. I m so lonesome I could cry. Hank Williams (continued on page 12) Page 9

10 The Grapevine Corner We sense that here in AA this shared darkness has become a shared light. Spiritual Awakenings Vol. 1 Pleasantville, NY, August 1959 The Sense of Sobriety Few of us will ever be famous, but we can all be great because we serve each other. McAllen, TX, October 1997 Internal Restoration Thank You for Sharing I have always carried a meeting list and quarter for a phone call because I don t know when I am going to want another drink. Cornwall, Ontario, January 2005 From Rags to Riches Voices of Long-Term Sobriety We can t grow without giving ourselves space for silence and the voice within. I Am Responsible Greenwich Village, NY, December 1997 Oh God, You Again? How does one tune in to the Higher Power? The answer I have learned from AA is to recharge my spiritual battery every day -- you can t pull today s load with yesterday s horse. Joliet, IL, July 1985 Willingness to Grow Into Action Grapevine Quote In 2012, Grapevine launched a new free service for the fellowship. Every day, a new quote is published on: and sent out as an . Each quote is drawn from the deep well of classic Grapevine stories dating back to Start your day with an inspiring passage from Grapevine Quote. Don t forget to tell your group and friends. Point your browser to: look for the Daily Quote box, and click on the Sign up for the daily link. Page 10

11 Quote of the Month The difference between me and God is that God doesn t want to be me. I can t tell you how many times I ve tried to arrange all of life to suit my needs. I ve planned and schemed, worked and manipulated, hoped and dreamed, and then manipulated some more, all in an attempt to get the world to behave the way I wanted it to. When my sponsor told me I was trying to play God, I took it as a compliment and secretly thought I was doing a pretty good job at it. When I started working the steps of AA, I began looking more closely at my behavior and at the consequences of my unchecked ambition and ego. I had hurt a lot of people, including myself, and I was forced to admit that my way wasn t the right way after all. Once I surrendered to this, I became right-sized, and I began to let God assume His proper role in my life. Speak only well of people and you need never whisper. Fortune Cookie Today, it s a relief not to have to play God. It s so much easier to suit up and show up, and to let God determine what results are the best for all concerned. Today I pray to be relieved of the bondage of self, and I know the more I can get out of the way, the more good God can do in, and through, my life. Today the difference between me and God is real clear. Anonymity is a state of mind of great value to the individual in maintaining sobriety. While I recognize its protective function, I feel that any discussion of it would be one-sided if it failed to emphasize the fact that the maintenance of a feeling of anonymity I am nothing special is a basic insurance of humility, and so a basic safeguard against further trouble with alcohol. This kind of anonymity is truly a precious possession. Dr. Harry Tiebout, M.D. Page 11

12 The difference in winning and losing is most often... not quitting. Walt Disney (continued from page 9) Since we turned ourselves over to the care of our Higher Power in Step Three, it makes little sense for us to spend our prayer time giving God instructions. Does this mean we re never to discuss our needs and problems in prayer, never expressing our feelings, fears or desires? No, of course not! Clearly, if we are to develop a vital, trusting relationship with a Higher Power, we will need to bring into our prayers all the things that concern us. We pray about these things not so that we can get our way but so we can bring our will regarding them into alignment with God s will. All of us experience times when we feel angry with God. Perhaps we deny our anger or give up on prayer or God entirely. As we seek to recover, neither of these options works for us any longer so we go ahead and express our anger to God, as we must. But this time, we keep on talking with God. Our anger cannot turn God away from us. The anger passes, answers come and we find we have drawn closer to our Higher Power through this experience. Our working of this Step can be uneven over the years. Sometimes we re willing and sometimes not, especially in the beginning. It may take effort to develop a daily habit of prayer and meditation. Once we develop it, practicing this Step daily creates momentum that carries us forward. Even so, we occasionally forget. That is one of the reasons we need sponsors. They can remind us when we re not working this Step. Working only part of Step Eleven is not working Step Eleven. Step Eleven has many daily opportunities for quiet reflection of Thy Will Be Done : (1) when we awake, grateful for being given today to live, (2) before we sleep, grateful for completing this day past, and (3) at any time we feel agitated or unsure. When we humbly defer to our Creator s will, we are given the power to carry out that will even if it s just the strength to do nothing at all but watch and wait. We relax into the knowledge that we are not in charge, gratefully so. We listen for the guidance to do the right thing. We accept that sometimes, the right thing to do might not come right away. Perhaps it s because of timing, fear or something outside our field of vision. This mature attitude is the direct result of practicing Step Eleven each and every day. Love to all, Blue Sky L. Used with permission from Prescott, AZ Intergroup Conscious Contact, November 2013 Page 12

13 Announcing the 75th Anniversary Commemorative Edition of Alcoholics Anonymous A.A. World Services, Inc. is pleased to announce the publication of the only authorized reproduction of the first edition of Alcoholics Anonymous. The book is priced at $12. The official publication date of the first printing of our Big Book, as noted by the United States Copyright Office, was April 10, There were 4,730 books printed, with red cloth binding, wide columns, thick paper (which was why it was called the Big Book in the first place), and a red, yellow, black and white dust jacket, which came to be known as the circus cover. To commemorate this historic printing and the book s 75th anniversary the 2013 General Service Conference approved the creation of this facsimile edition, a faithful replica of the original, to be published in April Pre-orders: starting November 15, 2013, you may pre-order copies of the 75th Anniversary Commemorative Edition of Alcoholics Anonymous (Item B-0). (The web site will have a link to an order page.) Some more plates from the Wilson House. See page 6 for some others. Pre-ordered books will be shipped directly to the purchaser and gift orders to the address provided, in April See the announcement on the official AA website: Page 13

14 Somewhere I had heard that it is easier to act yourself into a new way of thinking than to think yourself into a new way of acting, and this made sense in the context of acting as if. Big Book, page 366 AA History in December Dec Chicago Daily Tribune begins a series of articles on AA by Nall Hamilton. Dec Dave B, founder of Montreal Group, dies weeks before 50th anniversary. His story was added to the 4th Edition Big Book. Dec Bert the Tailor lends Works Publishing $1000. Dec Akron Beacon reports death of Henrietta Sieberling. Dec Sister Ignatia received Poverello Medal on behalf of A.A. Dec Birds of a Feather AA group for pilots is formed. Dec Bill admitted to Towns Hospital for the fourth and last time (fall 33, 34 in summer, midsummer and final admittance). Dec Dallas Morning News reports first AA group formed in Dallas. Dec Bill has his spiritual experience at Towns Hospital. Dec Bill meets with Rockefeller Foundation and tries to get money. Dec Rockland State Mental Hospital takes patients to meeting in NJ. Dec 13 or Ebby visits Bill at Towns hospital, brings William James book Varieties of Religious Experience. Dec Los Angeles hold their first AA meeting there. Dec Rowland H. dies (he carried the Oxford Group message to Ebby). Dec Rev. Samuel Shoemaker is born. Other December happenings with no specific date: Dec Bill & Lois start attending Oxford Group meetings. Dec 1934 to May Bill works with alcoholics, but fails to sober any of them. Lois reminds him he is sober. Dec Twelve Steps written. Nov/Dec Akron group withdraws from association with Oxford Group. Meetings moved from T. Henry & Clarence Williams home to Dr. Bob and other members homes. Page 14

15 Dec First AA group in mental institution, Rockland State Hospital, NY. Dec First home meeting in Los Angeles at Kaye M. s house. Dec Matt Talbot Club has 88 members, uses wagons to collect old furniture to recondition & sell. Not A.A., used A.A. program, material; marked first effort to reach alcoholics outside married, middle-class category. Dec First AA group formed in St. Louis, Missouri. Dec Group started Ashtabula, OH due to Plain Dealer articles. A.A. Cleveland has about 30 groups. Dec Dr. Bob s last major talk, in Detroit. Dec Grapevine article signed by both Bill and Dr. Bob recommend establishing AA General Service Conference. Dec Man on the Bed painting by Robert M. first appeared in Grapevine. Painting originally called Came to Believe. Dec Nell Wing retires from GSO after 35 years of service. There is no more aloneness, with that awful ache, so deep in the heart of every alcoholic that nothing, before, could ever reach it. That ache is gone and never need return again. Big Book, page 276 This full-color painting first appeared as a Grapevine center spread in the December 1955 issue. It proved so popular that four-color prints were made available separately. The artist, Robert M., was a volunteer illustrator for the Grapevine, and in 1956 he presented the painting to A.A. co-founder Bill W. In his thank you letter, Bill wrote: Your representation of The Man on the Bed hangs in my studio in Bedford Hills....The whole heart and essence of A.A. can be seen just by looking at it. Box 459 Vol. 58, No. 1 / Spring 2012 Page 15

16 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat If anyone speaks badly of you, live so that none will believe it. Unknown 1 Bring the body and the Mind will follow. 2 Sobriety is a journey...not a destination. 3 Stick with the winners. 4 I came; I came to; I came to believe (steps 1 2 3} 5 If God seems far away, who moved? 6 Nothing is so bad, a drink won't make it worse. 7 AA =Altered Attitudes. 8 To thine own self be true. 9 When all else fails, follow directions. 10 We are only as sick as our secrets. 11 Sponsors: have one-----use one-----be one. 12 Before you say: I can t say: can't I ll...say try. I'll try. 13 We're all here because we're not all there. 14 There are no coincidences in AA. Heard in a meeting: Happiness is a dry mattress. 15 Practice an attitude of gratitude. 16 Where you go...there you are. 17 Remember that alcoholism is...incurable, progressive and fatal. 18 You can't give away what you don't have. 19 Let go of old ideas. 20 Change is a process, not an event. 21 Stay sober for yourself 22 Sick and tired of being sick and tired. 23 To To keep it, you it,you have have to give to it give away. it away. 24 Take what you can use and leave the rest, Help is only a phone call away. 27 One alcoholic talking to another...one equals one. 28 Anger is but one letter away from Danger. 29 Call your sponsor before, not after, you take the first drink. 30 Around AA or in AA? 31 One drink is is too many, and a thousand is not not enough. The road to sobriety is a simple journey for confused people with a complicated disease. Page 16 Page 17