ADDENDUM:
Hey Peeps! PG gave me my Christmas present yesterday, Motorola DROID (Verizon). I L O V E it! Now I gotta learn how to use it. Internet, Facebook, unlimited mail, text, photos, 5-pixel camera, PDA, GPS and tons of applications. It even has a telephone connection! So NOW you know what I'll be doing the next few days--learning (She got one also, an L.G. enV TouchPhone)
WORDLESS MONDAY???
NEVER, FOR ME!
More "Wordless" days, that's what I need. How about Wordless Monday--or Monday Without Words (like Felix Mendelssohn's "Songs Without Words").
At one of my meetings there is a "rule"--grin! speak for two minutes or less, then shut up. At first--long ago--my rebellious nature (who knew?) saw that as ridiculously impertinent, illegal, against tradition--certainly against ME!
In this group of 60-90 peeps daily it seems to work. Over time I've reconciled with the group's conscience, and have found to my amazement that one or even several thoughts can be promulgated inside of two minutes (no one is timing, BTW!).
Maybe that's the chief reason my favorite meeting is at 7 AM each morning of the year. Such a wonderful cross-section of AA thought from long timers, new members. As others blog on here, I can vouch also that a meeting of Peeps, whether daily or bi-weekly, become in time a family of sorts. For many this IS their 'family', after continuing years of estrangement from blood relatives.
Some visualize their group--an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting--as the first family they've felt a part of since the 15-20 years they spent in Federal Prison,or some such.
Aside from all that, I have NEVER been to an AA meeting where I did not learn something, and was welcomed without reservations. I could not say that about any but a few organized religious groups.
I remembering (without resentment, of course, of course--grin) even the time that I mentioned God, and how He is within each of us (Big Book page 55) whether we see Him or not. One 'older' guy, an ex-university "tenured" law professor, a learned man (but nevertheless an AA long-timer blowhard) said right after I had spoke of God in us. and I quote him, "I (he pronounced it 'oy') get so tired of these assholes who talk about God in these rooms. I thought religion was not to be discussed here."
In effect, he had just called me an asshole, I even asked the guys sitting near me, "Did he say what I thought he said?" Resounding answer was YESSSSS! However, I did not stop going to that meeting. True, I do not "talk" to the guy, but there is no reason to put my finger in the cage, I reason. And we all stay sober, One Day...today.
Almost everyone in our big 45-minute 7 AM meeting has a sponsor. During each week we have four discussion/topic meetings, then one on Steps, one on Big Book, and a 20-minute Speaker meeting followed by discussion. Usually everyone who wishes to, gets to speak. This group hands out a bunch of chips in a given month.
Back to the family thing: we have brief squabbles, misunderstandings, lots of gossip--oh yeah! And yet the room is SO full of help, for any who ask. And SO full of genuine love. And full of AMENDS, where peeps try to change their behaviors.
Whatever happens in my life ANYWHERE, favorable or not...or whatever happens in the world, when I sit down with my "AA family" and friends, all is well. It is God's world, and God is in charge."
Back to "Wordless Monday". That is what today should be for me, I have not one single thought while at the keyboard today. All the rest of the day, I'm going so fast, it is a blur. And thank God for Espresso! Espresso RULES, Baby!
Love you Peeps...
Sober today--OK?
And PEACE!
