When I was ten years of age, I was given a glass of whiskey and drank it straight down. It burnt and took my breath. Throughout my drinking years I did not touch whiskey again. At sixteen, I had my first experience of getting drunk. I used to work for a bottling company where my job was to put labels … Read More
Traditional Recovery-Joel_July 2017
Traditions often get overlooked by sponsors who tend to focus on the steps, which are the core of the program. But the traditions are what keep the core going. The steps saved alcoholics from alcohol; the traditions saved AA from the alcoholics. Grandfather Bear, Vancouver, WA, Circa 2007. Tradition 5 states that “Each Group has but one primary purpose — … Read More
Post Conference Assembly Recap – Evan J_June 2017
My name is Evan and I am an alcoholic. Driving down to Ogden the back way, I started replaying my experience at the pre-conference assembly. Recalling the agenda items my home group discussed, I was curious as to what outcomes would surface- feeling excited, nervous and honored for this opportunity. Opening night began with a moment of silence and the … Read More
The Hand of AA – Inclusive never Exclusive
I’m not so sure that we did ourselves any favors by creating coming up with a shortened version of the Twelve Traditions. The short form is what’s read at most meetings and often the only version members know. Consequently, our Third Tradition is often interpreted as “just say you don’t want to drink,” whether you drink or not. What is … Read More
Area 69 Pre-Conference Assembly – Evan J_May 2017
My name is Evan, I am an alcoholic. I wanted to share with you my unexpected experience at the area 69 pre-conference: Friday, April 7th. I arrived at the hotel and checked in with Devin C., the registrar cool guy, and was assigned to work with corrections in a round table fashion. Imagine being assigned to corrections, I had only … Read More
My Homegroup: By the Book – Laura C & Ernie R_May 2017
By the Book (founded July 1989); an open meeting of Alcoholics Anonymous with Alanon participation. This was the second AA meeting I attended back at the beginning of my sober journey. I remember walking into the room and seeing people laughing, slapping each other on the back, whispered conversations, and all of this going on before, during and after every … Read More
Those Catchy AA Slogans – Evan J_LifelineApr17
I was leaving a meeting the other day and asked a friend “Will I see you tomorrow?” He replied, “God willing.” A little irritated, I said “Are you gonna be here or not? God is always willing”. Then, I had that ahha moment: what are other alcoholics favorite and not so favorite catchy AA slogans? ? My first interview took … Read More