I have discovered that our literature is the best resource for describing aspects of our program and so I have quoted from one of our pamphlets – The Twelve Concepts for World Service Concept III states: “As a traditional means of creating and maintaining a clearly defined working relation between the groups, the Conference, the A.A. General Service Board and … Read More
Tradition 3
The only requirement for A.A. membership is a desire to stop drinking What does this really mean and how do you know if the potential member really has a desire to stop drinking? Over the years, I heard stories about the good old days when new A.A. members were interviewed to determine if they were truly alcoholic. Before A.A., the … Read More
From: The Chair in the Corner, March 2012
Today is Tuesday February 21 and to me it feels like I am over a week early with this submission but our editor informs me that I am actually a week late. Possibly you noticed that your March edition of the lifeline actually arrived around the 1st of March rather than middle of March as expected. This is just one … Read More
The Discipline of Tradition Two
When I came to Alcoholics Anonymous in 1983, I wondered, sometimes aloud, why didn’t someone “take over.” The process of group conscience seemed ponderous and some members seemed not astute enough to make the “right” decisions. I was told by my sponsor that in the group conscience our ultimate authority, God, speaks and that we trust that that loving God’s … Read More
Came to believe . . .
Step two, “came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.” The compulsion to drink for me was not the only “Merciless obses-sion” that came to compel me in my insanity of alcoholism. Having had lost faith in the God I had come to perceive as punitive, wrathful and vindictive. At first I was torn … Read More
From: The Chair in the Corner, February 2012
What have I done on my days off lately? Saturday morning January 21,2012. After a short walk around the old neighbor hood Lucky (world famous Yellow Lab and ace pheasant finder) my trusty companion and side kick took a short ride to AA Central Office 80 W. Louise Ave. Upon arrival it was very obvious that this was not your … Read More
I Saw God at Work This Morning
Today started like any other day. I usually wake early, dress and pour myself a cup of coffee. I needed to let the dog out for his morning constitutional and as I was doing so I remembered from the news the night before that there was to be a lunar eclipse, which was supposed to be visible in the morning … Read More