The GSR Says!
GENERAL SERVICE REPORT for January 2021
Happy February!
On Saturday Jan 16 I attended our Area 07 Winter Assembly. Our area
archivist shared a short video about the archives for our area, and have included the link in this report.
Perhaps our group would like to have a history of Step 2 Men’s Group included in the
Archives?
Thank you for allowing me to be of service.
George T.
Put the Planner Away
I have found in AA that overconfidence may be harmful. I have been sober for quite a few years and I felt that there had been some restoration of sanity.
Then came 2020.
It started innocuous enough. In January I was told to go see Parasite. I was told it would be the Best Picture of the Year at the Academy. And indeed it was. What I wasn’t told was that it’s a Korean flick with subtitles. Worse, when I decided to give it a go, I dropped my glasses and they slid forward to the row in front of me.
I asked the woman in front of me, whom I first thought was Rosie O’Donnell, if she saw my glasses. She was annoyed I asked and barely looked before saying no. So here I am, I don’t know Korean and the white writing on the bottom of the screen goes by like lines on the highway. Until with about 10 minutes left, Rosie turns and asks, “Are these yours? “
Then came the Super Bowl. The 49ers were committing their own Manifest Destiny on the Chiefs, until half time. Then came seven (7) calls in the Second half that changed the game. You can You Tube it. There is more than one of these conspiracy theories out there. All of which, of course I believe, I ain’t no band wagon fan. Unfortunately, I cannot express it anymore. I’m politically incorrect.
It should have been a forewarning.
March came and I am standing in line at Golden One, ready to see Zion the Magnificent. Then some guy comes out and says “Game Cancelled” due to a virus, we got from the Chinese Communists, who got the rest of the basketball season, pro and semi pro cancelled. MLB, asterisked. Semi Pro and Pro Football all messed up. And they closed down everything, everywhere. And as for the Chinese Commies, shrug, that’s all everybody else did. But I could not complain, it was un-American.
After that, things really went nuts. I was quarantined to my condo. That left me with a lot of time on my hands. So, I was able to figure out everything only to learn that the formulas were wrong. And I did this over and over.
There was a ton of other stuff. Cities getting burned down, windows broken, The Dodgers.
We had an election where there were 7 states, the so called, Battle Ground States, that couldn’t get their votes counted for days. The rest of the country seem to get their counts done. But somehow, not these states. And, I don’t know, the vociferousness of the people telling me that there was nothing wrong, the election was perfect, nobody did anything untoward made me even more suspicious.
I had hoped for building on my return to sanity but as one can easily see, mine is long game. What the hell, I asked myself over and over. Even if I was right this time, about everything, would it matter?
What was important? My kids seem to be okay. They are healthy, if not too wise, but they seem happy.
And most importantly, I adapted. AND I DIDN’T DRINK OR USE.
So like, that was an accomplishment and a building block toward sanity. Right?
I got used to, and even liked the online meeting. There was another block.
I learned something. Which is always good.
Baby Steps, Long Strides, Going forward. That’s what’s important. And don’t sweat the small stuff.
Contributed by John M.
THE LITERARY CORNER:
“Like alcohol and poverty, a heartbreak has the power to make a man do something he wouldn’t normally do and to make a woman do someone she wouldn’t normally do.”
― Mokokoma Mokhonoana
“In the grief that comes with recognizing what happened to us, we often feel there is nowhere to turn for solace…We do things to keep it away, such as becoming overly busy or using drugs or alcohol to numb our feelings. When we are caught up in resistance, we do not feel hope, but when we surrender to our sadness fully, hope trickles in.”
― Maureen Brady, Beyond Survival: A Writing Journey for Healing Childhood Sexual Abuse
“Sometimes you see English people going out to pub, bar or disco with friends, standing awkwardly together drinking beer or gin and tonic and waiting for something ‘romantic’ to happen. Usually nothing happens apart from everybody getting drunk, which is hardly romantic. So, typically, instead of meeting Mr or Miss Right they meet Mr or Miss Right Now, which lasts as long as there is enough alcohol circulating in the blood vessel.”
― Angela Kiss, How to Be an Alien in England: A Guide to the English
“Liza hated alcoholic liquors with an iron zeal. Drinking alcohol in any form she regarded as a crime against a properly outraged deity… When LIza was about seventy her elimination slowed up and her doctor told her to take a tablespoon of port wine for medicine. She forced down the first spoonful, making a crooked face, but it was not so bad. And from that moment she never drew a completely sober breath. She always took the wine in a tablespoon, it was always medicine, but after a time she was doing over a quart a day and she was a much more relaxed and happy woman.”
― John Steinbeck
From an idea by George T.
Our Trusted Servants Continue to Be:
The current ‘Step 2 Men’s Group’ meeting schedule is Monday through Sunday at 11:30 AM. All meetings are online for now until further notice. The Thursday meeting is a ‘Book/Step Study’ format. Each of the M-Sunday gatherings are one hour. Great job men!
Monday: Tim C.
Tuesday: Dick M.
Wednesday: John M.
Thursday: Bob R.
Friday: Brad W.
Saturday: David K.
Sunday: Mark C.
Want to add your name to the “Back-up-Help-Substitute Secretary List”? Just contact Group GS, Tom W., Treasurer Mark W. or any Monday through Sunday Secretaries and let them know!
Step2MensGroup.com
January 2021 Meeting Data
Here’s the connection info for joining the meeting, in case anyone missed it.
Contributed by Mark C.
“Mouse’s Corner”
A.A. member Dave Mc. curates a few selected readings from a variety of A.A. related publications each month. Dave is a life long friend of the editor and has been sober 34 years. His childhood nickname was “Mouse!”
“I’ve had many spiritual experiences since I’ve been in the program, many which I did not recognize right away, for I’m slow to learn and they It is by self-forgetting that one finds.”
Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th Edition, pg. 551 Freedom from Bondage
“As I ‘turned my life over ‘to the principles of the Steps, my former alcoholic behaviors began to take a back seat.”
The God Word, pg. 11 World Service Pamphlet pg. 86
Contributed by Dave Mc.
First Wednesday… February 3rd
John M. reviews Step 2 on February 3rd (First Wednesday). “Came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity”
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!
THURSDAY ‘Book & Step Study’
Bob R. takes 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 show Bob your support and contribute something to the newcomer. Every Thursday at 11:30.
We’ll try to make readings available ahead of time on the website.
1
February
GOAL : SANITY
“. . . Step Two gently and very gradually began to infiltrate my life. I can’t say upon what occasion or upon what day I came to believe in a Power greater than myself, but I certainly have that belief now.”
— TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, p. 27
“Came to believe!” I gave lip service to my belief when I felt like it or when I thought it would look good. I didn’t really trust God. I didn’t believe He cared for me. I kept trying to change things I couldn’t change. Gradually, in disgust, I began to turn it all over, saying: “You’re so omnipotent, you take care of it.” He did. I began to receive answers to my deepest problems, sometimes at the most unusual times: driving to work, eating lunch, or when I was sound asleep. I realized that I hadn’t thought of those solutions—a Power greater than myself had given them to me. I came to believe.
From the book Daily Reflections
Copyright © 1990 by Alcoholics Anonymous World Services, Inc.
Joke Box
Jim’s car is swerving all over the road so a cop pulls him over, “Step out of the car” says the cop, “I am going to need you to take a breathalyzer test.” “I can’t”, Jim responds “You see I have very bad asthma that can set off an attack.” “Alright,” says the cop, “then you’re going to have to take a blood test.” “Can’t do that either,” Jim responds, “I am a hemophiliac, if a wound is opened, I won’t stop bleeding, and I could bleed to death.” “Ok,” the cop answers “then I will need a urine sample.” “Sorry,” says Jim “I also have diabetes that could push my sugar count really low.” “Fine, so just come on out, and walk a straight line for me.” “Can’t do that either” responds Jim. “Why not?” Demanded the exasperated cop. “Well, because I’m drunk!”
A drunk man walked out of a bar and kept falling flat on his face. He wondered why this was until his wife spoke to him: Wife: why is your face all bloody? Husband: I was so drunk that I couldn’t stand up so I kept falling on my face! Wife: idiot. You left your wheelchair at the bar!
What the difference between an Irish wedding and an Irish funeral? One less drunk.
A guy sits at a bar in a skyscraper restaurant high above the city. He slams a shot of tequila, goes over to the window and jumps out.
The guy sitting next to him can’t believe what he just saw. He’s more surprised when, 10 minutes later, the same guy walks back into the bar and sits down next to him.
The astonished onlooker asks, “How did you do that? I just saw you jump out the window, and we’re hundreds of feet above the ground!”
The jumper responds by slurring, “Well, I don’t get it either. I slam a shot of tequila, and when I jump out the window, the tequila makes me slow down right before I hit the ground. Watch.” He takes a shot, goes to the window and jumps out.
The other guy runs to the window and watches as the guy falls to just above the sidewalk, slows down and lands softly on his feet. A few minutes later, the jumper walks back into the bar.
The other guy has to try it, too, so he orders a shot of tequila. He slams it and jumps out the window. As he reaches the bottom, he doesn’t slow down at all. SPLAT!
The first guy orders another shot of tequila. The bartender shakes his head. “You’re really an a**hole when you’re drunk, Superman.”
“The Joke Box” features narratives, anecdotes and jokes from the AA publication “A Rabbit Walks Into a Bar”. Available at the AA Central Office, it contains the best material from the historic AA Grapevine. You can learn more at aagrapevine.org. Thanks to Anthony S. for picking up a copy and suggesting it!
Memory Lane
Remember the FUN we had?
Funny Papers
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 are 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 ‘GSR’ George T. for “The GSR Says”. Thank you John M. Thanks to Mark C. for your contributions in making our online meetings a reality. He also wrote “Step2mensgroup.com.” Thanks to Dave Mc. for “Mouse’s Corner.” Thank you Anthony S. for the ‘Joke Box’. We’re still waiting for YOU gentle reader…Why YOU don’t contribute a short “something?” Any length, most any AA related topic. Reply now and it will get included next month!
January Gazette 2021
Men’s Gazette – March 2021