BAREFOOT BOBFROM BAREFOOT'S PAGES
The following is taken from the pages of Barefoot Bob's Collected AA Writings. About 12 years ago I met Barefoot on his web site. Then I met him in person as his catamaran was laid up in a boat repair facility on Pine Island, off the coast of Ft Myers, in the Gulf of Mexico. I had been following his daily logs (a blog?) as he set sail alone for distant lands.
His main-mast tore off in a storm, and his boat was lifeless. He never made it, as far as I know. He IS alive and well now, back in Idaho. When I read he was laid up just over an hour from Naples, I biked up there and paid him a surprise visit. He was exactly my age, AND he sobered up in 1974, my year--so we shared stuff right off. Following is an excerpt, an example, of his online copious, and colorfully- written material:
THE IMPORTANCE OF THE
THIRD LEGACY OF SERVICE
Could Bill W., Dr Bob and the 'first 100' have survived without service to each other? Those of us alive and sober today are a result of their service in writing the Big Book, AA Comes of Age, the 12 and 12, and all the rest of the AA literature, and the tremendous work and sacrifice required to keep the Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous going.
Could they just as well left out Chapter 7 in the Big Book, and that 1st paragraph which states, "Practical experience shows that nothing will so much insure immunity from drinking as intensive work with other alcoholics. It works when other activities fail. This is our twelfth suggestion: Carry this message to other alcoholics!".
Could they have done nothing but sit around and just not taken the first drink?
Of course they might have done just that, but if they had, you and I would still be out there or dead! Thank God they didn't forget us, but if we want it to continue we will have to get off our dead butts and do something besides talk about it!
The absolute importance of the AA Credo must be ingrained in the consciousness of the AA member--
I AM RESPONSIBLE--
When anyone, anywhere, reaches out for help,
I want the hand of A.A. always to be there.
AND FOR THAT I AM RESPONSIBLE!
To Give of Ourselves from the Fullness of Life as we have found it to be, to those who have not yet found Life to be Full, is the key to continued Sobriety, Happiness, and Serenity.
Love and Peace,
Barefoot
Barefoot's AA Collections is also linked in my sidebar under "Places I Go Often"
barefootfriend-a-roni
12 comments:
Sounds like "Barefoot Bob" is a wise man. Thanks for sharing.
hey! thanks for the link. an interesting guy...
I'm in the process of re-reading Pass It On. I love to be reminded of the great lengths these Earlytimes went to in order to ensure a program that works.
I have read some of his stuff off and on over the years, but not in awhile.
Thanks for the reminder!
I'm finally starting to get the importance of alcoholics helping others. Thanks for sharing
That was good stuff. I'm understanding more and more how service keeps me sober. (both from alcohol and emotions)
Hank (Indistinct) I had not thought of that. In helping others, in 'getting out of ourselves', we can be healed in many ways other than just the negative 'not drinking. Of course!
It's the meaning of Big Book Page 58, "How It Works", where we are told, "There are those, too, who suffer from grave emotional and mental disorders, but many of them do recover..."
Thanks for bringing that into our discussion!
Thank your sharing that.
Great post...I agree when I am resting on my "laurels" I am not moving forward and am moving backwards, it is when I give srevice that I am giving...thank you for this post!
Love,
G
Love this. There is so much truth in getting out of me and helping others. I get energy and leave depression behind when I'm able to share strength and hope with others!
Greatful for those wonderful adventurers who give of themselves!!!
Love his last sentence.
Amen!
~T~
Tracey Baby
So do I! (love that last sentene
Post a Comment