The newcomer

[Freedom1990]

I debated on whether to add to an existing thread here or start a new one.

I guess my question is, what is this board here for, the newcomers, or just for those of us who have been in recovery for awhile?

Last night was birthday night at our group, and one of my sponsees, a 24 year old girl, just celebrated 60 days. She came back after throwing a year out the window, and I know how hard that is to do personally.

I grew up with the God of my parents' understanding and of the Catholic church's understanding.

I do not begrudge anyone who is able to embrace religion of any sorts and stay sober.

My father turned to the Catholic church after he lost both parents within a year of each other while he was still in high school. They were both hard core alcoholics.

The Catholic church saved my father from a life of active alcoholism himself.

When I first walked into the rooms of AA, had someone told me I had to embrace a religion, accept Jesus Christ as my savior, or quoted me scripture, I would have walked out and never come back.

Again, I do NOT begrudge anyone the God of their understanding in sobriety.

I have tried several times over the past two decades to reconcile my spiritual program with religion, and it just hasn't happened. It may never happen and I am okay with that because the higher power I have today, whom I choose to call God, is helping me stay sober.

So, I ask each of you here. Are you here only for yourself, or for the newcomer?

Think back to when you were a newcomer, and just how frightened and lost you were.

I know what kept me around recovery, and what could have potentially turned me away in my confused and raw state when I first got sober.

Just something to chew on.

[toad]

Hello DeVon,

I pray all is well with you today. I thank you for continueing the topic because there is much to be said about what this forum, "Bikers in Recovery" is about. I am a member of Alcoholics Anonymous, I have a home group, I attend 5 meetings a week, I am DCM for a 9 county district, I sit on the Corrections Committee at Area, I volunteer weekly at a correctional facility by helping facilitate an AA meeting. I tell you this with humility, not pride. I am so grateful to be sober and to be able reach out with my sobriety to others. Gratitude is what fuels my program. My life was at the end, and AA brought me hope.

Several years ago there was an article in the Grapevine (AA monthly publication) by one of our Non-Alcoholic Trustees. He was a PHD in the field of treatment for addictions. Dr. Silkworth who helped AA in the begining refers to the alcoholic addiction. The Non-Alcoholic Trustee said that only 40% of those who recover from alcoholism do it through AA. This was published in the Grapevine and stated by one of our (AA) Trustees. I tend to agree with this, which means that 60% of those who recover from alcoholism do it by other means. I tried all sorts of other ways to stay sober. I tried just smoking pot, quiting on my own, going to church, prayer, group therapy, mental institutions, I tried jail by pleading guilty to get sentenced. Nothing kept me sober but AA, and then only for one day at a time............by the grace of God.

I am a member of the Christian Motorcycle Assoication. There are many many of our members who are in recovery from alcoholism and drug addictions. They do it without AA or NA (some of the 60%'ers). I feel that they are bikers in recovery and should be allowed to post here of their experience, strength and hope, without having some AA'ers object. How do you feel about this??

There is nothing about this forum that states for bikers in AA only. Why should it be exclusive to AA's and not allow some of the 60%'ers to post.

I love AA, it saved my life. But I keep AA where it belongs, in my home group, district, area, region, GSO, and International AA. This forum is an outside issue and as AA's we have no opinion on it.

I am so grateful that anyone can post here and share Scripture, Islam, Hinduism, AA, NA CA, CMA, or like some who post here...........none of the above.

The key word is "share." This is not the place to tell someone what you think they should do. That is what sponsors are for.

To answer your question, "what is this board here for?" It is for the newcomer and the others (older members, 60%'ers) alike.

I needed to get that out...........thanks Sis for allowing for the subject.

I love you and there is not a damn thing you can do about it........toad the "Tet Vet"

[sticker]

Im out !!!!

[Freedom1990]

Toad, you have given me some things to think about. I was trying to encourage some dialog with my post, without hostility or intolerance among us.

I'm going to digest what you have written and will post later. Thank you for responding.

[recoveringnky]

I'm here for both....myself and the newcomer. Sometimes I can't make an AA meeting and I come to this forum to get "fed", so to speak. If my ESH helps someone else, that's fantastic. I'm all about "take what you like and store the rest until you are ready to look at it".

I also come to this forum to check up on my brothers and sisters....to see how they are doing and what's going on in their lives....to be of support if they are down and to help celebrate if they are excited. This place has been like another family to me. I'll miss those that choose to leave.

Hugs,
Kym

[toad]

Originally Posted by Freedom1990

I guess my question is, what is this board here for.

Alcoholics Anonymous Tradition 10 (the long form)

"No A.A. group or member should ever, in such a way as to implicate A.A., express any opinion on outside controversial issues, particularly those of politics, alcohol reform, or sectarian religion. The Alcoholics Anonymous groups oppose no one. Concerning such matters they can express no views whatever."

This AA tradition over the past week on this forum was grossly and deliberatly violated. As a member of Alcoholics Anonymous I would like to express my shame and sorrow. I defended my right to post Scripture here in Bikers in Recovery, and as a result the good name of AA was brought up and cast into the middle of an unpleasant situation. I appologize for my part in this by defending the right to share my experience in recovery as a Christian. I ask all those who are not members of AA who post here, and AA members as well, to please forgive me.

"Seek Ye first the Kingdom" Matthew 6:33

[Jazzed_N_AZ]

Originally Posted by recoveringnky

I'm here for both....myself and the newcomer. Sometimes I can't make an AA meeting and I come to this forum to get "fed", so to speak. If my ESH helps someone else, that's fantastic. I'm all about "take what you like and store the rest until you are ready to look at it".

I also come to this forum to check up on my brothers and sisters....to see how they are doing and what's going on in their lives....to be of support if they are down and to help celebrate if they are excited. This place has been like another family to me. I'll miss those that choose to leave.

Hugs,
Kym

Couldn't have said it better, Kym.

Although, sometimes, I come here to vent as well.

[The_Hammer]

Originally Posted by toad

Alcoholics Anonymous Tradition 10 (the long form)

"No A.A. group or member should ever, in such a way as to implicate A.A., express any opinion on outside controversial issues, particularly those of politics, alcohol reform, or sectarian religion. The Alcoholics Anonymous groups oppose no one. Concerning such matters they can express no views whatever."

This AA tradition over the past week on this forum was grossly and deliberatly violated. As a member of Alcoholics Anonymous I would like to express my shame and sorrow. I defended my right to post Scripture here in Bikers in Recovery, and as a result the good name of AA was brought up and cast into the middle of an unpleasant situation. I appologize for my part in this by defending the right to share my experience in recovery as a Christian. I ask all those who are not members of AA who post here, and AA members as well, to please forgive me.

"Seek Ye first the Kingdom" Matthew 6:33

You always were forgiven brother, I am blessed to call you friend. :ghug

[Freedom1990]

After a lot of prayer, meditation, and a good night's sleep, I have decided that I need to stick to AA specific forums. All forms of recovery in this forum should be respected, and I certainly didn't mean to violate any traditions, nor offend anyone.

I know what saved my life, and can only share what has/hasn't worked for me.

[best]

Originally Posted by Freedom1990

I know what saved my life, and can only share what has/hasn't worked for me.

That is what we all should do.

For some it was AA. For some it was the bible and the Lord. For some it was....what ever worked for them.
An AA member shared the message of help and hope with me but it took me starting to read the bible and become a Christian to find what I have now.

[Jazzed_N_AZ]

In my personal world, I did what I did to hit my bottom. I felt my pain and suffered from my decisions. Once I got tired enough of this existance and was guided to the rooms, I began a search. NA/AA would be the tools to clean up over and over again and again but until I read The Old Testament, Psalms, The New Testament and The Quran I could not see where growth was needed.

In combining the two, I was able to see "me". Sortof my own little trilogy. God that I understand, a Higher power that consist of the fellowship(s) and myself.

My clubs motto is;
"I rode to find myself and could not see.
I rode to find a Higher Power and it eluded me.
I rode with a clean and sober fellowship and found all three".

The thing is, I had to do whatever it took to get through our desease and even though we suffer from the same illness, our recovery is very personalized. Sharing this personalization is what has gifted me (us) with the brothers and sisters and the life I (we) have today... IMHO.

[Hurricane]

I too apologize if I offended anyone. I hope and pray everyone will continue to post their own ES&H for the newcomers as well as all of us, and themselves. This board and you all mean a ton to me :ghug2

[The_Hammer]

Originally Posted by Hurricane

I too apologize if I offended anyone. I hope and pray everyone will continue to post their own ES&H for the newcomers as well as all of us, and themselves. This board and you all mean a ton to me :ghug2

You've offended no one. As a matter of fact I was impressed by the Holy Spirit in yourself and toad. But the 10th tradition was lost in all of this, and it is there for a reason. We must adhere to the whole of the program in order to continue the work started in us...right?

Hurricane, toad, best-I honestly believe that the AA program was breathed into Bill W., by God Himself. Untold millions have gained a daily reprieve based on their Spiritual condition for over 60 years, day in and day out miracles are wrought in hundreds of people, thousands-could I be so bold to say millions?

I am one such victory, a miracle.

[toad]

Originally Posted by Freedom1990

After a lot of prayer, meditation, and a good night's sleep, I have decided that I need to stick to AA specific forums. All forms of recovery in this forum should be respected, and I certainly didn't mean to violate any traditions, nor offend anyone.

I know what saved my life, and can only share what has/hasn't worked for me.

Those of us who are AA can, and will, still post here as AA's, sharing how the program of Alcoholics Anonymous has helped in the recovery of our disease.

The problem occurs when an AA expresses an opinion on "outside issues," such as religion or politics, and brings the AA name into public controversy. Bikers in Recovery is a forum open to bikers of all fellowships, which means that Christians may share here without AA's dictating what should or should not be posted. This is a public forum, and if there is a controversy, AA's should not bring the AA name into the discussion.

As a biker in recovery I am also involved in a patriotic group of riders. I can and will post here about how my recovery has allowed me to be of service to the veterans of this great nation, the U.S.A.. Once again AA has no opinion on the issue of patriotism.

AA is against no one............that is so cool.........it is seldom today that we can find such love.