JULY 1
THE BEST FOR TODAY
The principles we have set down are guides to progressALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 60
Just as a sculptor will use different tools to achieve desired effects in creating a work of art, in Alcoholics Anonymous the Twelve Steps are used to bring about results in my own life. I do not overwhelm myself with life’s problems, and how much more work needs to be done. I let myself be comforted in knowing that my life is now in the hands of my Higher Power, a master craftsman who is shaping each part of my life into a unique work of art. By working my program I can be satisfied, knowing that “in doing the best that we can for today, we are doing all that God asks of us.”July Birthdays… IF They Make It!
July 13th… Dave R. celebrates 12 years
July 13th… Bob R. celebrates 9 years
July 14th… Daniel O. celebrates 4 years
July 21st… Wally G. celebrates 23 years
July 28th… Dave M. celebrates 31 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.
“Mouse’s Corner”
A.A. member Dave Mc. curates a few selected readings from a variety of A.A. related publications each month.
“Great suffering and great love are A.A.’s
disciplinarians; we need no others.”
12 Steps & 12 Traditions, pg. 174
Tradition Nine
Healthy relationships come as a result of lots of hard work and a new willingness to communicate. Friendship with (others) comes as a result of reaching out during the good times as well as the bad.
Just for today page 115
With each passing day of our lives, may every one of us sense more deeply the inner meaning of A.A.’s simple prayer:
God grant us the serenity to accept the things we cannot change,
Courage to change the things we can,
And wisdom to know the difference.
12 and 12 page 125
Contributed by Dave Mc.
Leaving Tortuga
I tell you, when I read the Seventh Step, I think of lost love. Not always, but sometimes.
You know, you have a girlfriend. She may become your wife. For so long as you can remember she has been that confidante, your life’s comedic counterpart, your connection. A situation so easily taken for granted. You were Pirates in Tortuga, stealing the marrow of the heart for no one but yourselves, and thinking it would never end.
Still, there was so much other stuff to do. There were so many responsibilities that the significant other was not part of because of the happenstance of situations, or you just didn’t want to put your love on a schooner to face the British Mano War. And she was always there when you came back.
Until one day, she wasn’ t.
The next thing you know, it goes from “Why weren’t you at the dock and who was that guy you were talking to?” to her reply,” I have switched sides to the British, you will leave Tortuga immediately or we will hang you and I will spit on your lifeless body every day until it rots away in the hot sun .”
Drats!!!
With the usual “I’ll show her” mentality I hang around Tortuga too long. I am imprisoned, waiting to be hanged. Of course, this is all metaphorically speaking.
The beginning of stir starts with more critical thinking. She’s gonna regret this, I may not be the very best for her but I am in the top one. I am the smartest man in her world, thanks to Google. She’ll see.
Each day, she walks by the prison cell, with that guy. Damn, they look all happy. You can hear them with their entreaties to one another . “You complete me” She says,” I’ve been looking for you all my life…and I think I have been to every bar in the Americas looking” he says.
And then it hits you…… there is a disconnect here.
I don’t drink or use anymore, she does. She used to not, out of deference or she should not be. Not to my past daily excesses but sometimes. Staring at the cold stone cell floor I think, well that’s one strike.
I see friends, I guess former friends, who no longer acknowledge me. Quite a few, I acknowledge that I do not really care.
She has told people I was not much of a pirate anyway. Now when I see them all at the Town Square and I try to hail them from the small window of my cell, I see they avert their eyes. Strike Two. I probably should have got out of Tortuga.
As if often the case, like with the love of liquor, when the breakup happens, you shed some friends. But were they really? Was I as good a Pirate as I thought? Then I have a sobering thought, do I really even want to be a pirate?
Suddenly, there comes word from the Governor General that I do indeed have responsibilities and obligations that I must perform. I don’t have to do them in Tortuga. It’s time to leave if I can get out. Damn, the cell door is open.
I walk by Jose, the jailer. He gives me a slight wave. See ya, Joe I say. Don’t come back, he replies. It is really time to, not with humiliation but humility, leave Tortuga.
Contributed by John M.
Tradition 7
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.”
TRADITION SUMMARY
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.
Download A.A. pamphlet, “Where Money & Spirituality Mix”
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 shortcomings, not placing you first in my 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.
From an idea by George T.
Funny Pages
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: Sean F.
- 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!
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!
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 “Leaving Tortuga”, 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 – June 2023
Men’s Gazette – August 2023