IF THE ONLY PRAYER YOU SAID IN YOUR LIFE WAS "THANK YOU", THAT WOULD SUFFICE. ~Meister Eckhart

Wednesday, September 19, 2007

09.19.07

Close your eyes and let the mind expand. Let no fear of death or darkness arrest its course. Allow the mind to merge with the Mind. Let it flow out upon the great curve of consciousness. Let it soar on the wings of the great bird of duration, up to the very Circle of Eternity. ~Hermes
Today I am grateful...
  • to watch Bunny running in swift circles around Lucy
  • that I have a healthy familial relationship
  • that "Whate'er we leave to God, God does and blesses us. " (Thoreau)
  • to have received a Houston Roundup flier in the mail, meaning fall is approaching
  • that I have had no reason to wear a neck tie for over three and a half years
  • that the panic attacks I had as a child are gone

It there's been one major change in AA, one old-timer observed, it's probably in group discussions. The focus today is far more on overcoming personal problems than in staying away form the first drink. "The early AA members were continuously concerned about the dangers of drinking," he said. "Members today are more concerned about their feelings and personal issues, such as relationships."

This change has probably been an improvement, but it carries the risk that members will forget why they needed the program in the first place. For alcoholics, it is dangerous to let the problem with alcohol slide out of view. It is important to keep in mind at all times the life-or-death nature of our drinking problem. Even if we are not totally successful in dealing with our feelings or establishing harmonious relationships, it's always necessary to stay sober. Disaster is in that first drink, and let's keep that constantly in view. ~Walk in Dry Places

6 comments:

dAAve said...

It's interesting how AA has evolved. The last 2 paragraphs make a lot of sense. Just watching the goings-on at Lambda are a daily reminder why I don't want to drink again. LOL

peanut said...

Dear Scott,

Hooray for Fall coming !

Yes, I must always remember that I have only this day and I have a reprieve from that first drink (if I choose to welcome the reprieve).

I do, I do.

Watching the "goings-on" is better than participating in the "goings-on." Know what I mean?

Love you

Mary Christine said...

We drunks get so esoteric after 5 minutes of sobriety. - not you and I, of course.

Pammie said...

Every Fall I get a little pissy at the fact that the Round Up is over Thanksgiving and I can't attend. Please bring this up at a committee meeting, I'm sure they can change it for ME. I'm ready for a cool Fall breeze!

Scott M. Frey said...

yeah, plenty of drama at a good discussion meeting... I am one of those who feels the need to turn a discussion back toward some sort of component of recovery should things go too far from the primary purpose. but, thats just me!

I wear a tie every day for work now. I love looking good but man, the ties are killing me right now, lol!

Anonymous said...

that the panic attacks I had as a child are gone -> me too / I've only ever known the personal problems part of the evolution, but I find that (at least here in st. paul) there is a good balance, and the evolution hasn't negated original intent.