DECEMBER 1
“SUGGESTED” STEPS
Our Twelfth Step also says that as a result of practicing all the Steps, we have each found something called a spiritual awakening… A.A.’s manner of making ready to receive this gift lies in the practice of the Twelve Steps in our program.”TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, pp. 106-07
I remember my sponsor’s answer when I told him that the Steps were “suggested.” He replied that they are “suggested” in the same way that, if you were to jump out of an airplane with a parachute, it is “suggested” that you pull the ripcord to save your life. He pointed out that it was “suggested” I practice the Twelve Steps, if I wanted to save my life. So I try to remember daily that I have a whole program of recovery based on all Twelve of the “suggested” Steps.“Mouse’s Corner”
A.A. member Dave Mc. curates some selected readings from a variety of A.A. related publications each month.
I try to hold fast to the truth that a full and thankful heart cannot entertain great conceits. When brimming with gratitude, one’s
heartbeat must surely result in outgoing love, the finest emotion that we can ever know.
As Bill sees it page 21
We’d have to have outside help if we were surely to know and admit the truth about ourselves—the help of God and another human being. Only by discussing ourselves, holding back nothing, only by being willing to take advice and accept direction could we set foot on the road to straight thinking, solid honesty, and genuine humility.
12 and 12 page 59
Contributed by Dave Mc.
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 will 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.
First Wednesday… December 3rd
Come join a review of Step 12 on December 3rd (First Wednesday). “Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.”
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!
December Birthdays… IF They Make It!
December 1st… Tim K. celebrates 8 years
December 8th… Erik L. celebrates 6 years
December 29th… Keith D. celebrates 13 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.
Subliminal Message
Go forth and spread the word.
From Starbucks to streetcorners, get out there with your Twelve Step Book and spread the word of Bill and Bob.
Go on now… get out there.
Remember on working the Twelve Steps you don’t say to the guy or girl. “Ya gotta complete these 12 Steps”
It’s more nuanced than that. More like, “Ive been sober for a couple years, working these 12 Steps really helped me. I’ve never finished them but you wanna work on them with me ?”
I just got back from Newport Beach. How in the hell did all these people make all this money? I got my son in law to take me up to this Methodist Church one evening. It was an Open Meeting, A Big Book Step Study. Nestled up in the Hills close to Big Canyon park and another piece of hallowed ground, the late great John Wayne grave site.
I get myself a coffee and sit in the back. It’s a crowded meeting. A lot of young people, many seem to know each other. They are working on Step 6 but my mind is what am I gonna write about Step 12.
I see a couple of Grapevines and grab them, hoping no one will notice the stranger going through them as people are reading a section of text and then then explaining how they relate. Its got a few rows of people before it gets to me…
The pace is pretty slow. Okay I admit, in a Grapevine, I read something close to that line of working on the Steps with me and promptly note to steal it. Then its time for the fifteen minute break. I can list 20 guys off the top of my head that would hate this meeting.
After break, we out of towners have to introduce ourselves. For a moment, I am not invisible.
I notice this VERY pretty, but disheveled girl is going to be reading next. She reads. Starts crying. Ten days. She is at a nearby recovery center. Went home for Thanksgiving. It was so hard. She got through it mostly staying in her room. Where will she find the strength?
I have a Mike T flashback, “There are a lot of sick people in this room” because what I am thinking is …if I was 40 years younger… “Hey, let’s get a hotel room and work on the 12 Steps together.” Intensely.
Soooo Go forth to the Starbucks and streetcorners and spread he word. Try to keep your thoughts pure.
There is a message in there somewhere, right ?
Contributed by John M.
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!
Tradition 12
Short Form
“Anonymity is the spiritual foundation of all our Traditions, ever reminding us to place principles before personalities.”
Long Form
“And finally, we of Alcoholics Anonymous believe that the principle of anonymity has an immense spiritual significance. It reminds us that we are to place principles before personalities; that we are actually to practice a genuine humility. This to the end that our great blessings may never spoil us; that we shall forever live in thankful contemplation of Him who presides over us all.”
Tradition Summary
Principles First – People Second
Why are we repeatedly asked in the Traditions to give up ourselves for the greater good? The answer is because any relationship we have that does not involve sacrifice is a relationship that likely will not endure. Each tradition straightens out a disastrous attitude we had about relationships. The twelfth tradition teaches us that a spirit of sacrifice (often times through anonymity) is vital to good relationships.
Giving up the expectation of rewards for doing good is difficult for most of us. It’s easy for us to give and then think, “Well, I’ll get a reward, even if I don’t get public recognition for what I did.” To remove that reward symbol from the back of our minds for whatever good we do is part of practicing anonymity. The next time you hear a speaker in A.A. whose personality is exciting from the platform, see if you can hear the principles behind their words? To which step, tradition, or concept can you relate their pitch? Setting ourselves aside and focusing on the principles of our program is a crucial component in the foundation we need for studying the Traditions and learning how to be in healthier relationships with our fellow A.A.’s and with those in the world around us.
Step-Tradition Parallel
The twelfth step poses the question, “What is a spiritual awakening?” I believe that the evidences of a spiritual awakening are found in a person who practices the twelfth tradition in all their affairs. Such a person sacrifices self in order to practice principles. Their motive in practicing all of the traditions is anonymity: they sacrifice to help others.
The twelfth tradition completes the twelfth step in the following way: I become spiritually awake when I carry the message by anonymously practicing sober principles.
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.
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 ‘Subliminal Message’, 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 – November 2025