APRIL 1
LOOKING WITHIN
Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 42
Step Four is the vigorous and painstaking effort to discover what the liabilities in each of us have been, and are. I want to find exactly how, when, and where my natural desires have warped me. I wish to look squarely at the unhappiness this has caused others and myself. By discovering what my emotional deformities are, I can move toward their cor- rection. Without a willing and persistent effort to do this, there can be little sobriety or contentment for me. To resolve ambivalent feelings, I need to feel a strong and helpful sense of myself. Such an awareness doesn’t happen overnight, and no one’s self-awareness is permanent. Everyone has the capacity for growth, and for self-awareness, through an honest encounter with reality. When I don’t avoid issues but meet them directly, always trying to resolve them, they become fewer and fewer.I’m Still Standing
The room darkens, but I have not pulled the shades. The sun is out, but the only light comes from the monitors on my desk. I am reading the Step 4 workbook I wrote over 9 years ago.
The list of resentments. The list of wrongs I committed. The lists of failures. I do not like the 4th month.
I do not like writing about the 4th Step.
I do believe that in AA we must create one and keep it, if only for reference. What is clear from mine is that I had to have been pretty messed up, personally and psychologically. This document should be read from time to time but not see the light of day to anyone else.
Some of these lists are still active.
My Fourth Step was a process. The first two were drafts and no one other than me saw them. Then came this thing.
For … well, I began pulling out this document annually, when I started writing this column, so how long ago was that? I know I started in the summer of one year and it was a few months before I had to write about the Fourth Step for the April Newsletter.
Who thought of aligning the Fourth Step with the fourth month of the year? Its already got Federal and State Income Taxes – depressing. And if that isn’t bad enough, there is the Property Tax, where I have lost confidence that there is much return on the payments at all.
My ex’s birthday is in April, do I get her something?
Just now, I have finished my review of my whole Fourth Step document. Nine pages, typed, in Calibri 11 point font.
My conclusion…. as Elton John sings, “I’m still standing”.
And I suppose that is why we should do one and keep it around.
If you are new to the program, and you will hear this from time to time, you do not have to rush it, you should take your time, but you must get it done. If only to make April more miserable. They even moved baseball back to March. There are a few things left on these lists. I wonder if I can budge any of them off.
Contributed by John M.
April Birthdays… IF They Make It!
April 4th… George T. celebrates 41 years
April 7th… Bill B. celebrates 30 years
April 10th… Mike T. celebrates 32 years
April 11th… Tim P. celebrates 5 years
April 25th… John M. celebrates 10 years
April 26th… Lloyd A. celebrates 4 years
April 29th… Michael P. celebrates 4 years
If your birthday has been missed…. fill out the birthday form.
We really want to celebrate your AA anniversary because your birthday made ours possible!
Thanks everybody and apologies to you if you were missed or incorrectly noted.
Don’t Forget Our Zoom Meetings
We’d love to see you on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 11:30am
The GSR Says!
Central California Fellowship of AA Delegate’s Meeting
March 18, 2023
This month’s meeting agenda contained mostly housekeeping items. The following bulletedlist are items I thought you might find interesting or helpful.
- Support your local Central Office for your literature and medallions. Store hours are Monday-Friday 9-5 and Saturdays 10-2.
- AAWS has announced that on April 3rd, 2023 they will implement a price increase of 20% on all books and 30% on all pamphlets. However, CCFAA has taken steps to reduce the impact of this increase by increasing their inventory on Big Books and Twelve & Twelve in all formats so they can continue to offer these core items at the current price for an extended period of time.
- Volunteers are needed to carry the AA message to our communities by delivering literature to libraries, schools, police and fire stations. Email [email protected] for more information about volunteering.
- The CCFAA Picnic is scheduled for August 20th at Elk Grove Regional Park.
This is all I have for this month. Please let me know if you have any questions.
Mark Q.
Funny Pages
Tradition 4
Short Form:
“Each group should be autonomous except in matters affecting other groups or AA as a whole.”
Long Form:
“With respect to its own affairs, each A.A. group should be responsible to no other authority than its own conscience. But when its plans concern the welfare of neighboring groups also, those groups ought to be consulted. And no group, regional committee, or individual should ever take any action that might greatly affect A.A. as a whole without conferring with the trustees of the General Service Board. On such issues our common welfare is paramount.”
Tradition Summary
Our Decisions Affect Others
For too long, I thought I was autonomous in my own right; this is also called being self-centered or selfish, with “self-will run riot.” This Tradition helps me understand that I cannot take any actions harmful to others without dire consequences to myself. I learned that nothing was really good unless other people also were considered. If I don’t seek the advice and help of others in matters affecting them, then I again become God in my own life, the exact nature of my wrongs.
The one word that characterizes the fourth tradition is the word “decisions.” This tradition teaches me how to make decisions and maintain good relationships with God and you at the same time. The traditions show us how to get along with each other. The second half of the fourth tradition teaches me to consult others when I make decisions that affect them.
I am not to be a dictator in making decisions that affect other people’s lives (or the community) as I did when I was drinking. I need help from others, especially in matters affecting them. My goal is unanimity. <I repeat> If I don’t seek the advice and help of others in matters affecting them, then I again become God in my own life, the exact nature of my wrongs.
Step-Tradition Parallel
If I don’t seek the advice and help of others in matters affecting them, then I again become God in my own life, the exact nature of my wrongs. The steps help to restore my relationship with God (through inventory among other things) and the traditions show me how to get along with God (and others). I was God in my own life. I was a dictator. With others, I was just the opposite. I sought their approval. The fourth tradition solves this dilemma: I seek to be one with God and to be one with others about matters affecting them. There are certain things that must be done alone with God, such as writing inventory. Writing inventory is an autonomous function. Interesting parallel.
From an idea by George T.
“Mouse’s Corner”
A.A. member Dave Mc. curates a few selected readings from a variety of A.A. related publications each month.
“We are only operating a spiritual kindergarten in which people are enabled to get over drinking and find the grace to go on living to better effect. Each man’s theology has to be his own quest, his own affair.”
As Bill Sees It, pg. 95
Spiritual Kindergarten
“I did not need to find God. I only needed an open mind, and the spirit found me.”
Alcoholics Anonymous 4th Edition pg. 397
The Perpetual Quest
Contributed by Dave Mc.
My First Meeting
Please be “of service.” If you’ve never contributed a “My First Meeting”, please help to keep this column going…we need you! What do you remember most of your first meeting? It can be one sentence; it can be up to two paragraphs. Could be funny, poignant or strictly “clinical”. Write what you want…you might have enjoy writing it!
Our Trusted Servants Continue to Be:
The current Step 2 Men’s Group meeting schedule is Monday, Wednesday & Friday at Tim’s (3809 J St), Tuesday & Thursday online, Saturday in the park is “Daily Reflections” and Sunday is our Rogue meeting in the park. Each gathering is one hour. Great job men!
- Monday: Tim C.
- Tuesday: Mark W.
- Wednesday: John M.
- Thursday: Brad W.
- Friday: Jon B.
- Saturday: David K.
- Sunday: Mark C.
Want to add your name to the “Back-up-Help-Substitute Secretary List”? Just contact Group GS, John M., Treasurer Mark W. or any of our other Secretaries and let them know!
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.
Extra Special Thanks Dept:
Thanks to our General Secretary John M. for “I’m Still Standing”, Mark Q. for his CCFAA Report, Dave Mc. for “Mouse’s Corner” and our Treasurer Mark W. for all your contributions. We’re still waiting for YOU gentle reader…Why don’t YOU contribute a short “something”? Any length, most any AA related topic. Reply now and it will get included next month!
Men’s Gazette – March 2023
Men’s Gazette – May 2023