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findingout · 12-20-2009, 06:10 AM

I found a 12 step talk online given by Heather Sundberg. Her topic was actually the Serenity prayer, but one of the things she said in closing hit me pretty hard:

We don't just carry the message, we are the message.

This really made me think about the "practicing these principles in all our affairs" part of step twelve. The way I act, talk, and think in meetings and in the much larger world outside of meetings is a reflection of the spiritual part of the program working or not working in my life. The men I sponsor and the newcomers at meetings are observing the whole package, not just my words on whatever step we happen to be discussing.

I have sat at tables with people who have many years of sobriety in the program, heard them wax elegantly about the steps and the program, but before or after the table, these same people let loose some of the ugliest racist and/or sexist remarks I've ever heard. On the other hand, I have observed people come into the program and do a complete 180 in areas of life which would seem to have nothing at all to do with not drinking.

So, maybe, part of the message has nothing to do with not drinking or alcoholism at all. How do I carry that part of the message to people who are not even alcoholics? They are not going to be interested having a discussion on any of the steps and I certainly have no desire to become an evangelist for my particular conception of God. I am left with my words and actions outside of the church basement or the alano club meeting room. It's all I have.

12-20-2009, 06:10 AM	#7 (permalink)
findingout Not the center of the Universe Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: Orchard Lake, Michigan Posts: 909	I found a 12 step talk online given by Heather Sundberg. Her topic was actually the Serenity prayer, but one of the things she said in closing hit me pretty hard: We don't just carry the message, we are the message. This really made me think about the "practicing these principles in all our affairs" part of step twelve. The way I act, talk, and think in meetings and in the much larger world outside of meetings is a reflection of the spiritual part of the program working or not working in my life. The men I sponsor and the newcomers at meetings are observing the whole package, not just my words on whatever step we happen to be discussing. I have sat at tables with people who have many years of sobriety in the program, heard them wax elegantly about the steps and the program, but before or after the table, these same people let loose some of the ugliest racist and/or sexist remarks I've ever heard. On the other hand, I have observed people come into the program and do a complete 180 in areas of life which would seem to have nothing at all to do with not drinking. So, maybe, part of the message has nothing to do with not drinking or alcoholism at all. How do I carry that part of the message to people who are not even alcoholics? They are not going to be interested having a discussion on any of the steps and I certainly have no desire to become an evangelist for my particular conception of God. I am left with my words and actions outside of the church basement or the alano club meeting room. It's all I have. __________________ Yes, I am an alcoholic. But that's not all that I am...