Step 2 Men’s Gazette

July Birthdays… IF They Make It!

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Defects, Where do I Start?

I know this is not a great mental exercise, but I often review my behavior and awful decisions of my past. Particularly, when I was drinking. Drinking excessively. And smoking a lot of pot.

I thought that no one could tell. I do not know why I would think that. It is a common symptom of us drunks. We think we can put vodka in a plastic water bottle, and everyone will think its water. Take a swig of mouthwash, wipe the face and hands off with a handy wipe and everything would be fine.

The effect was with a reduction in inhibitions and common sense, I thought I was effusively intelligent. I felt compelled to share it too.

I remember business meetings and conversations where I was fooling nobody and paid a price. I knew it was happening at the time and still could not stop.

I know my family knew when I thought I was so clever in hiding my drinking. Bottles of alcohol in the back of closets, hidden in the trunk of a car, kept out in the backyard behind the tool shed. Whiskey stored outside in 100-degree heat, not a problem.

I was driving everyone nuts.

I cannot remember if this happened, or I dreamt coming home drunk and my wife handing me a fistful of sleeping pills and telling me to get some rest and the pills would cure an upcoming hangover. I am quite sure my behavior was so bad that she contemplated to do something along those lines.

Today, being sober does help me hold my tongue and there is a lot to give opinions on.

However, today I ask myself much more often what is the point. Am I going to change anyone’s mind or is it going to change anything?

Here’s a little space taking bit of advice, I am stealing from the Rotary Club. I am sure you have seen their symbol sign around. It looks like a sprocket. They have the Four Way Test in what we say or think or do.

• Is it the Truth
• Is it Fair to All Concerned
• Will It Build Good Will and Better Friendships
• Will it Be Beneficial to All Concerned.

Again, this is from the Rotary Club of America, not my brain. Good advice though, for anyone. It may not work around this time of year when discussing sports or the NBA draft. But it’s good to be conscious of what we do. How we are healing.

I stole another quote from Winston Churchill for this column but I bastardized it to fit . You can look up the original or its at the end of the movie, The Darkest Hour.

Our successes are not final, they are building blocks . Our failures can be fatal, alcohol and relapses can kill you. Unless we can recognize our defects for what they are and continue to ask or work towards their removal or keep them tamped down, we can fail.

Use the tools, meetings, readings and active participation provided by AA to help along the way.

Contributed by John M.

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“Mouse’s Corner”

“AA is not a separate country, cut off from the mainland of the real world; rather it is tH the schoolroom I missed somewhere along the line…a treasure house of other people’s experience, strength and hope”

Alcoholics Anonymous, Daily Reflection

“Self-examination, confronting what we find in ourselves, and owning up to our wrongs are critical elements of conducting our lives on a spiritual basis. By working the Tenth Step, we become more aware of our emotions, our mental state and our spiritual condition. As we do, we find ourselves constantly rewarded with fresh insight.”

It Works How And Why, NA version of the 12 X 12

Contributed by Dave Mc.

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Funny Papers

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Short Form:

“Every A.A. group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.”

Long Form:

“The A.A. groups themselves ought to be fully supported by the voluntary contributions of their own members. We think that each group should soon achieve this ideal; that any public solicitation of funds using the name of Alcoholics Anonymous is highly dangerous, whether by groups, clubs, hospitals, or other outside agencies; that acceptance of large gifts from any source, or of contributions carrying any obligation whatever, is unwise. Then, too, we view with much concern those A.A. treasuries which continue, beyond prudent reserves, to accumulate funds for no stated A.A. purpose. Experience has often warned us that nothing can so surely destroy our spiritual heritage as futile disputes over property, money, and authority.”

Spirituality and Money DO Mix

Twelfth Step work is the lifeblood of Alcoholics Anonymous — carrying the message to the next suffering alcoholic. Without it, the Fellowship would wither and die. Yet, even at its simplest level this vital contact between one alcoholic and another involves an investment of time and money.

The paradox of A.A. is that financial independence and the support of our Fellowship by alcoholics and alcoholics alone not only enhances A.A.’s importance to each of us, but stimulates our engagement in our own recovery.

While the Fellowship has always faced problems of money, property, and prestige in one form or another, through the wisdom of the Seventh Tradition we have never been diverted from our primary purpose of carrying the message to the alcoholic who still suffers. This is our fundamental work, and to ensure that the hand of A.A. will always remain outstretched, money and spirituality must continue to mix. And for that, we are all responsible.

Step-Tradition Parallel

The seventh tradition is linked to the sixth tradition just as the seventh step is the natural outcome of working the sixth step. What do I do when I become entirely ready to give up my defects of character? I humbly ask God to remove my shortcomings. What do I do when I become entirely ready to give up pursuing outside contributions to my spirituality by not lending my name to related approaches or outside relationships? I avoid the problems of money, property, and prestige – carrying a message that will be believed because it is carried with a spirit of poverty and not greed.

I seek to be financially self—supporting, not wealthy. The seventh tradition, completed the seventh step this way: Father I humbly ask you to remove my major shortcoming, not placing you first life but placing false Gods first, including money. Please teach me to be self-supporting in my relationship with you! “Fear” automatically results when I think I should handle any situation in life by myself. As soon as I place God first in my thinking and try to hear his voice through prayer and meditation, “fear” is removed.

(Excerpts from the text above come from the Traditions Study developed by the Unity Insures Recovery Through Service A.A. Group, Los Angeles, CA.)

Inspired by George T. (and stolen from Take the 12)

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First Wednesday… July 6th

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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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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Our Trusted Servants Continue to Be:

he current Step 2 Men’s Group meeting schedule is 11:30am Mondays & Wednesdays at 3809 J St., Tuesdays & Fridays online, and Weekends at McKinley. Each of the gatherings is one hour. Great job men!

• Monday: Tim C.
• Tuesday: Mark W.
• Wednesday: John M.
• Friday: Brad W.
• Saturday: David K.

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!

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Extra Special Thanks Dept:

Thanks to our General Secretary John M. for “Defects…”, and comics, Dave Mc. for “Mouse’s Corner.”, Anthony S. for the ‘Joke Box’, Tom W. for comics and thanks to our Treasurer Mark W. for Funny Papers, The Literary Corner, and for your general promptness. 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!