WORK! OR THE EASIER, SOFTER WAY?

ECONOMY CLASS ............................................ FIRST CLASS

What'll it be, guys and grrls?

Quote for today: "Tonight I am living in the now and am full of gratitude.
--Prayer Girl

Many of us, members of Alcoholics Anonymous--new or long-timers--sit in the meetings and enjoy them. I love the fellowship, the friendships--well, the camaraderie--as it is so different from just a few days (or years) ago. People smile at me, and before long they smile WITH me! How enchanting this all seems.

I listen to the stories, to the sharing, and once in awhile I even HEAR some of it. And THEN I think, "What the hell! I'm getting out of here before they have me distributing wilted flowers and collecting money in front of Walmart".

Then as my head clears I begin to notice that some AA members seem to know what they're talking about. They have that certain air of knowledge, even sometimes wisdom, and impart a certain and confident validity to their words--when speaking about our program. And I ponder, "If only I could think like that, talk like that, be happy like that--without drinking!"

Soon I want what she/he/they HAVE! Some time later, I become "willing to go to any length to get it". And I learn what "it" is they are talking about. "It" is what "they" have! Fancy that...duh.

Also, through a few rather unhappy experiences, I discovered another kind of AA program, practiced by another "kind" of member. This is the program which is basically, "Don't Drink, attend meetings, but do not become involved in service work, step work, or that sponsorship crap. And be SURE to tell others How It Works. Oh yeah!" (Why am I smiling right now?)

Some drift in and out (of AA) and are always "trying"--they say. What's there to TRY, when there's so much to DO!

It surprises me how many "trying" (Hey whatever fits -grin!) members complain--in meetings, and after--about those who seem to have "got it". They complain about the coffee-maker who didn't show up (he has the flu), the world, the financial markets, even complain about the government (well, I might join them on that -grin!).

These members seem unhappy about life in general, their own shaky sobriety in particular--if they even recognize that truth. In a short time can be detected a Prideful self-centeredness which has not been taken away from some or which has returned. Some of what I've described above is "me, too" stuff...of course! I AM Mr prefekt, ya know -grin!

(...who of us is without shortcomings, step forward--WATCH OUT! Let's don't trample on each other in the stampede. Careful of the dog poop there! -grin! Too late! Oh, ya say it isn't "dog"???)

So I find this second type person likely does not have a strong sponsor relationship, and/or does not live this new way of life which I have found in our beautiful TWELVE STEPS and TWELVE TRADITIONS.

Are there only these two types of AA members? Of course not! Are we each one unique? I've always voted for a tad of uniqueness. However, I have chosen "First Class" over "Economy Class". I want to go with, be with, enjoy life with those who have taken and are taking the steps. I pray for those in "Economy Class" and help out when asked. Maybe they will come over and get on the life-saving boat--it's actually become for me, an "easier, softer way". Who would ever have believed?

I'm glad you did not gamble (and lose) that I'd forget the men and women who are depressed, or maybe who suffer from severely low self-esteem. You and We are not the cause of our problems, but we have found a solution! Notice--NOT the answer...the solution! It is that "God could and would if He were sought" (not "caught!").

And if we humbly ask Him, He WILL remove these character problems of ours.

So I hope it is plain to see
Why I'll pray a lot
For those who're not
Taking the steps with me.
--steveroni

Mary C's blog Monday mentioned "Big Book Thumper". Well, I'm certainly one of those, but I did not set out to BE that. It just happened. In fact, while reading Mary Christine's blog "MISSION", I found myself constantly saying, "Yes! That's ME! Yes, why didn't I think of that?" I learned here--again--not to be ashamed of being Roman Catholic, or of loving my church, my family, my AA program, my blogger friends, my COUNTRY, and my God with passion. And thanks to Mary's blog, I've decided I am not here to debate ANY of that!

ABOUT TIME TO CLOSE THIS BLONG!

The following can be found more or less stated in our Big Book, p 55, the only page THIS BB Thumper knows, without looking it up to make sure! -grin! Since my belief IS that God --the Great Reality--is deep down within EACH of us, "for that is the ONLY place He can be found"...I have the right, the pleasure, the honor, of serving--of loving--you ALL, now and Evermore.

sincerely,
thump-a-roni