Why Go To Meetings?

[Carol87]

WHY GO TO MEETINGS

Shortly before his death in 1950, Dr. Bob was asked why he still went to meetings. His three reasons should give every A.A. member pause to reflect deeply as they are the very essence of A.A. service. Dr. Bob said:

"The first reason is that this way is working so well, why should I take a chance on any other way.

The second reason is that I don't want to deprive myself of the privilege of meeting, greeting and visiting with fellow alcoholics.

The third reason is the most important. I belong at that meeting for the sake of the new man or woman who might walk through that door. I am living proof that A.A. works as long as I work A.A., and I owe that to the new person to be there. I am the living example."

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Found in another group

[aasharon90]

Great Carol. I Love It...thank You...!

[jimhere]

I'd be lying if I didn't say that I have social needs and those needs sometimes, not always get met met by going to a meeting.

But in my mind, the only reasons to go to a meeting are two seek help or to find someone to help.

[laurie6781]

Great post Carol!!!!!!

When I first went to meetings, I sure wasn't going for "The Program" lol. I went because it was the only place I felt SAFE. People there didn't judge me. I found hope there, and yes I felt SAFE. And they would invite me to go with for coffee, and even if I didn't have any money someone would buy me coffee, and I still felt SAFE.

I was six month's into recovery before I could really start working the 12 program. Yeah I was a real sick one, rofl. I believe what happened to me at meetings was not really learning program. That I learned with my sponsor. The wonderful people at the meetings are the ones that 're-civilized' me. Taught me how to function in the civilized world.

Yes I went to lots and lots of meetings the early years of my recovery. Then as I obtained "Balance" in my life the meeting attendance declined somewhat. Yes I still went, but not 7 days a week and 10 to 12 meetings a week, I actually got down to 4 meetings a week and that did this alkie just great.

Now, many years later, my meeting attendance is sporadic, mainly because of my physical limitations. However, I still work with others a lot, not only here locally, but literally, all over the world. One of my long time sponsees is living in Norway and another is living in Austria. I have a grand sponsee in Sweden, rofl. No my phone bill is not that high, I have a great deal from my local phone company for my in country long distance and a good rate on the few countries I call on a regular basis.

Meetings are important, but I cannot and must not let meetings be my life. The object of the 12 step program of AA was and is to teach me how to Live Sober out there in that great big world. It's done that for this alkie.

J M H O

Love and (((((to all))))),

[fraankie]

i was at the beach with tom. k
a few years ago
he just celebrated 50 years
so
on the way home
of course, me with a few years
and
he, with 40 + years
i asked him
"why do you still go to meetings
he answered
"God instructed me to"


"That floored me. It began to look as though religious people were right after all. Here was something at work in a human heart which had done the impossible. My ideas about miracles were drastically revised right then. Never mind the musty past; here sat a miracle directly across the kitchen table. He shouted great tidings.

he reminded me of this big book passage


best
fraankie

[Peter]

I go to meetings because when I go I find the proof I need that AA works.

I go because I like it and want to go.

I go because I like being sober and AA helps me to stay that way.

I go because I am always happy to share my story of recovery with another alcoholic who wants to get sober.

I go because I feel a sense of purpose and belonging there.

I can think of several more reasons why I go to AA but these come off the top of my head.

[aasharon90]

Fellowship is a big part of staying sober.
The doctors call it group theraphy. We never
go to an A.A. meeting without taking
something out of it. Sometime we don't
feel like going to a meeting and we think
of excuses for not going. But we usually
end up going anyway. And we always
get some lift out of every meeting. Meet-
ings are part of keeping sober. And we get
more out of a meeting if we try to contrib-
ute something to it.

[jlo34]

In "Doctor Bob's Nightmare" in the Big Book, he lists 4 reasons for going to meetings...
'1. Sense of duty.
2. It is a pleasure.
3. Because in so doing I am paying my debt to the man who took the time to pass it on to me.
4. Because every time I do it I take out a little more insurance for myself against a possible slip.'

His reasons are also the reasons I go. Plus a few more...such as, filling up my spiritual cup. Getting a bit more sanity in my perspective.

I love meetings. I always feel recharged, even before the meeting begins!!!
Jen

[CarolD]

I go to see the walking... talking

Miracles!!

[Little Missy]

Great posts ((All)) I think I'll keep coming back!!

[Carol87]

To attend meetings or not to attend meetings is a personal choice IMHO. But this morning I found out why I have to attend meetings to maintain not only physical sobriety, but more importantly for me, emotional sobriety. For various reasons, some valid, most not, I have not been to a meeting for over two weeks and was finding myself RID big time! I made it to my home group -- the topic was on prayer and meditation ... I shared in a general way about a family situation that is extremely painful and hurtful and the answers that I got from my God at a time and in a way that I least expected. I was so truly amazed at the love and support I got after the meeting ... it was an awesome reminder, for me, just how important and vital is for me to get away from this computer and get to the rooms ...

JMHO

[CarolD]

At my noon meeting I heard 2 things that were new to me..

"When your sober life is going down the toilet,
just go with the flow"

"All AA meetings are held in God's house"

I am really glad I was there today!!

[c'est la vie]

Thank you for this thread. I needed it today.

[nogard]

Originally Posted by c'est la vie

Thank you for this thread. I needed it today.

I was just thinking it answered your other thread.

Great posts, thanks.

Kevin