NOVEMBER 1
I CANNOT CHANGE THE WIND
It is easy to let up on the spiritual program of action and rest on our laurels. We are headed for trouble if we do, for alcohol is a subtle foe.ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 85
My first sponsor told me there were two things to say about prayer and meditation: first, I had to start and second, I had to continue. When I came to A.A. my spiritual life was bankrupt; if I considered God at all, He was to be called upon only when my self-will was incapable of a task or when overwhelming fears had eroded my ego. Today I am grateful for a new life, one in which my prayers are those of thanksgiving. My prayer time is more for listening than for talking. I know today that if I cannot change the wind, I can adjust my sail. I know the difference between superstition and spirituality. I know there is a graceful way of being right, and many ways to be wrong.Business Meeting
It’s that time again—when we gather not just to eat sandwiches and chips, but also to shape the future of Step 2 Men’s Group.
Join us Friday, December 12 at 11:00 a.m.
📍 3809 J Street
On the ballot this year: President General Secretary and General Service Representative.
Nominations are open for both—so if you’ve ever thought, “Someone should do something about that,” congratulations, you may be that someone.
We’ll also present the Grant Miller Award to a well-deserving member—someone who’s made a genuine difference, not just someone who brings the good snacks.
There’ll be sandwiches, chips, and drinks, because nothing says “spiritual development” like mayonnaise and fellowship.
The business meeting will be followed by our regular meeting, where we’ll return to the important business of staying sober and slightly less serious.
Nominations
November Birthdays… IF They Make It!
November 3rd… Jon B. celebrates 7 years
November 15th… Bob A. celebrates 40 years
November 23rd… Dick M. would celebrate 12 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.
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!
“Mouse’s Corner”
A.A. member Dave Mc. curates a few selected readings from a variety of A.A. related publications each month.
“Suppose our critics are being unfair. Then we can try to calm persuasion. If they continue to rant, it is still possible for us — in our hearts — to forgive them. Maybe a sense of humour can be our saving grace — thus we can both forgive and forget.”
As Bill sees it page 96
Contributed by Dave Mc.
Meditation in the Morning
I turn off the TV. I close the blinds in the living room to repair to the recliner. Oh, those guys are still in front of the Federal Building across the street protesting ICE. I haven’t seen anyone on that building since COVID. The Feds should sell it. Ph stop being political. But that shit is a trigger.
No more. I am in the recliner. The room is… well darker. I close my eyes. Time to clear the brain. 10 20 seconds of peace. Kings beat Milwaukee. Wasn’t expecting that. They still have one too many guards. Trade DeRosen ! Get sa power forward. STOP! Meditate.
Uhhhhmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
30 seconds
Damn the kids looked so cute the other night. Ocean’s Buzz Lightyear was so spot on and Adrianna was the cutest Jessie for Toy Story. I hope she doesn’t have that Alopecia or whatever its called.
Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
Nnnxmmzzzzzzzzzz
How long was I out for? 7 minutes.. not too bad…. That counts right? What was I thinking? Maybe the 49ers keep Mac Jones and trade Brock Purdy. The guy I want is Max Crosby and the Raiders need to trade him for something. Bold trade, Mac Jones to Raiders for Max Crosby and the 49ers get a pick. Brock Purdy to the Raiders and the Raiders get a pick, probably a 1st rounder. Can the 49ers afford that ? Will YOU Meditate !
Mmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmmm
It’s noisy Downtown. Sounds like they’re digging up the street a couple blocks away. That Anti-ICE Guy is back at it with the bull horn. I was a student in Italy in my youth. I studied the Mussolini years. That guy wouldn’t know a Fascist if it bit him in the ass. Those were bad hombres. Any dissidents would disappear and get buried out at the EUR. Here, he can bullhorn my Meditation. Okay enough .. . .. I can’t be political…
I know … I’ll get my Bose noise cancelling head phones… dial in to www.K-ZAP.org (this is a public service announcement readers) and I will play the music from my iPhone low. Jeff Tweedy – Lou Reed Was My Baby Sitter. Gotta be able to meditate to that.
mmmmmzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Contributed by John M.
Tradition 11
Short Form
“Our public relations policy is based on attraction rather than promotion; we need always maintain personal anonymity at the level of press, radio, and films.”
Long Form
“Our relations with the general public should be characterized by personal anonymity. We think A.A. ought to avoid sensational advertising. Our names and pictures as A.A. members ought not be broadcast, filmed, or publicly printed. Our public relations should be guided by the principle of attraction rather than promotion. There is never need to praise ourselves. We feel it better to let our friends recommend us.”
Tradition Summary
Attraction Rather Than Promotion
Bill W. once said, “We had no public relations policy except for a fear of public relations. Our relations with the general public should be characterized by personal anonymity. There is never need to praise ourselves. We feel it better to let our friends recommend us.”
Good public relations are A.A. lifelines reaching out to the fellow alcoholic who still does not know us. For years to come, our growth is sure to depend upon the strength and number of these lifelines.
Conversely, think about this. Should we identify ourselves by our first and last name when we speak at closed meetings of A.A? Does this violate the eleventh tradition? Of course not. We are only anonymous at the level of press, radio, and films. The press has not attended any closed meetings I have spoken at, so I am free to use my whole name. The final paragraph on page 37 of the pamphlet “Frequently Asked Questions About A.A.” states: “It should also be noted that within A.A., at A.A. meetings and amongst themselves, A.A. members are not anonymous.”
Step-Tradition Parallel
The eleventh step is related to the eleventh tradition: by praying only for knowledge of his will for me and the power to carry that out, I become a source of attraction to God and give Him all credit for my wonderful life. The eleventh step poses the question, “How can we improve our conscious contact?” The eleventh tradition answers that question by pointing out that when we do not take credit for the good we do, we become closer to God in our prayer.
From an idea by George T.
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.
This Day in Space, 11/3/1957
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 C.
- Wednesday: John M.
- Thursday: Sean F.
- Friday: Jon B.
- Saturday: Dave M.
- 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!
Extra Special Thanks Dept:
Thanks to our General Secretary John M. for “Meditation in the Morning”, 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 – October 2025