[Emimily]

solution oriented
not nitpicking

focused on our primary purpose
not getting our egotistical points across

carrying the message of recovery
not bickering about how we do that, why we do that, or what that message is

placing principles before personalities
not getting twisted about someone else's plan for their life

love and TOLERANCE being our code
not knocking down others' ideas on recovery

sharing our experience, strength, and hope without expectations
not forcefeeding AA or 12 step knowledge to anyone



i've just read so many AA members who seem like they work (or they would work) solid programs showin out. AA's not about that, not in my sobriety family or my meetings. i know we've all got defects, myself included (and maybe in the lead!), but the last thing i want to do is scare someone off from recovery. there are shining examples on this board of folks who manage to carry the message without getting defensive or controlling or snotty, and i look to them for my inspiration when i read something that i take as inflammatory.

basically, man up - sometimes we are the only big book someone will ever see. i don't wanna call the wahh-mbulance, but i fully will.

on a completely unrelated sidenote, some friends and i were talking about how much fun it would be to share in a meeting sometime using only grateful dead lyrics... totally possible, too. so far, i've got "hi, i'm emily, and i'm an alcoholic... y'know, it's hard to see the silver lining sometimes when all i can see is a touch of grey. some days i'm ridin that train, but i know there's trouble ahead. usually, trouble behind. i just know i better watch my speed. everyday isn't going to be sunshine daydreams, but i'm feelin fine. i will get by. WE will get by. thanks." now, those are lyrics from radio tracks, but i listen to this terrible classic rock station on my way to and from work, so those are the ones that are freshest in my brain. you try!