Step 2 Men’s Gazette

THURSDAY ‘Book & Step Study’ 

CURRENTLY THURSDAY MEETING NEEDS A SECRETARY. COULD IT BE YOU? ARE YOU READY to take us through the Twelve Steps and Big Book portions to start the meeting every    Thursday. Each missive is packed with fine prose, fascinating insights and challenging reading. Following the read (about 20 minutes)…the floor is open to everyone’s thoughts on how they may have been influenced or impacted by that writing. It’s really fun to be a part of and members are enjoying it. 

 Get on in here and and contribute something to the newcomer. Every Thursday at 11:30. 

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The GSR Says!

GENERAL SERVICE REPORT FOR JULY

SOON most groups will be returning to in person meetings. It has been an interesting time in AA. In my conversations with GSRs from other groups, most folks are anxious to return to the old ways of carrying the message. That being said, there is a significant group of folks who have decided to continue meeting online. Some groups are thinking of keeping online meetings available for as long as a significant amount of people continue attending. As far as hybrid (in person with a live on line feed) meetings are concerned, most groups have little interest in pursuing that option. AA meetings would be listed as either in person or on line. We will see how much of AA remains on line. Alcoholics with mobility issues, health issues, or transportation problems might be able to benefit from regular AA meeting attendance with a regularity that was not so readily available a couple of years ago. One thing there is agreement on is that there is a potential for lots of newcomers in the next months since all the statistics and news are describing how drug and alcohol abuse surged during the pandemic. Lots of opportunity for us to carry the message!
Thank you for allowing me to be of service.

George T.

On Not Watching the Paint Dry

Like me, you may have some problems completing or understanding a 7th Step. I mean, of course I want anyone to remove my shortcomings. 

The background story is asking our Creator(s) to accept all of me, good and bad, in order to do his/her will for me, instructions to follow. 

I am apprehensive because when I was 22, I was having a bit of a rough spot in life. Call it a lack of direction. I asked my other Creators, Mother and Father, if I could move home for a while. Took them about a month to get back to me and tell me my room had been redecorated into an office, and so no, I couldn’t. 

We all have scars. 

I don’t seem to have a sign from them, or any other Creator, of their will for me. I do wish there were signs to follow. Oh, I remember the will of my other Creators and have apologized many times for my shortcomings but what is the will of my Higher Power? 

Sometimes I ask myself, have I been humble enough. That has been a problem in the past. 

Other times, perhaps my Previgen addicted Ex has chronicled everything to the Higher Power, including the stuff I have long forgotten except occasional not so Super Star Flashbacks on a sleepless night. Perhaps my Higher Power feels it’s too much trouble to deal with. 

On such occasions that I might feel this way I harken back to a scene in this movie Hoosiers. 

The late great Dennis Hopper plays drunk named Shooter, a nickname from his youth, when he missed a shot in the State Basketball Finals. Another great but not yet late, Gene Hackman, plays a head coach of Hickory High School. Hollywood’s version of Milan High who incredibly won the Indiana State Championship back in the day. 

Hackman decides to give Hopper a chance at being the assistant coach, so long as he stays sober. Got this so far? So, Hackman, ne’ fiery Head Coach Norman Dale, gets thrown out of a game. He tells Shooter, he’s gotta coach the kids home to victory.

Okay, Shooter is like me. He has no idea whatto do and these eager faces are looking for direction, just like some kids I know. The tension builds. Will this somewhat worthless drunk assistant basketball coach come up with a plan. Prospects do not seem high. The score is tied with 20 seconds and the other team has the ball.

When suddenly Shooter speaks, “Rade, let yourself get taken out. Buddy ….. you drop down and take his place …. Close that lane.” and whaddya know, Hickory steals the ball for the final shot. Time out.

Then Shooter lays out probably the second best play in basketball history.

“All right,” he says, ”We’re gonna run the picket fence at them. Merle, you re the swingman … .Jimmy …
you’re solo right …… now Merle … you should be open swinging around that picket fence. Now Boys,
don’t get caught watching the paint dry.”

Of course, what that play actually is, no one in basketball history knows. Except I guess the Hickory players and Merle, who maneuvers around a double screen and shoots the winning shot.

I got it .. You’re confused. Imagine being on my side of the keys. But there is a point, I think.

I gotta stay in the game and play the opportunities given and I am only gonna find them, sober.Just like Shooter.

Shooter does relapse after this game of course but that’s another parable. He goes back to rehab too.

By John M.

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Tradition SixAn AA group ought never endorse, finance or the lend the AA name to any related facility or outside enterprise, lest problems of money, property or prestige divert us from our primary purpose.

1. Why is it important that we not get involved in outside enterprises?
2. Is it ever wise for a group to endorse an outside event or business?
3. If a groups landlord is raising money for a project, should the group make a contribution?

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THE LITERARY CORNER:

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First Wednesday… July 7th

John M. reviews Step 7 on July 7th (First Wednesday). “Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.”

John reviews the step corresponding to the number of that month on each first Wednesday. It’s a rewarding meeting with John outlining the step of the month, how he was challenged by it and how we tackle it ourselves, with and without success! Look for his monthly contribution in this edition!

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“Mouse’s Corner”

“We think cheerfulness and laughter make for usefulness.”

“The Family Afterward”, Alcoholics Anonymous, pg. 132

“It is a spiritual axiom that every time we are disturbed, no matter what the cause, there is something wrong with us. If somebody hurts us and we are sore, we are in the wrong also.”

“Step Ten”, Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, pg. 88

“There are a lot of people who don’t like the weakness that is implied in that word “surrender.” People like to think they are strong characters who can take care of their own destinies. That is always fictitious thinking. Everybody in this world is some kind of weakling, and if he thinks he is not, then pride is his weakness, and that is the greatest weakness of all.”

“Alcoholics Anonymous Comes of Age”, pg. 266

Contributed by Dave Mc.

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June 2021 Online Meeting Numbers

Looks like there was an online meeting on the 23rd!

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Step 2 Men’s Group Believes…

“Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.”

We’d never presume that the 12 Steps are not clear. Nor would we imply that they need ‘improvement’. However…for purposes of assisting to keep the meeting pointed in an important direction each day, the ‘Step 2 Men’s Group statement is read as follows:

Step 2 Men’s Group is founded on the belief that spirituality is essential to our sobriety. Our group is non-religious, but we do not oppose anyone’s religious beliefs. We believe that respect for others and their beliefs is essential to our spiritual development. Accordingly we ask that avoid criticism of others or of their religion or lack of religion, their race, ethnicity, national origin, age, sexual orientation, physical appearance, trade or profession, length of sobriety, or personal beliefs. Our goal is to further our spirituality, our sobriety and our personal development, not to confront or belittle others. Always remember to be kind to others.

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