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11-29-2005, 12:58 PM
| #1 (permalink) |
| Guest
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| Well well well!
I was having a decent morning reading the stupid ''Dear Friend I don't know from Adam please help me smuggle millions $$$ in dirty money'' junkmail in my email box, until I came across this little gem of an eye opener;  ----- Original Message ----- From:FriendofBill W palobillw95@yahoo.com To: midas@¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤¤ Sent: Tuesday, November 29, 2005 8:15 AM Subject: EHS class of 85 Hello Barry. I noticed your EHS alumni bio. Congratulations on your recovery. You are a miracle. Keep up the good work. I have also found a solution in AA. Your openness in your bio surprised me and got me thinking about my level of public anonymity. Are you aware of the tradition of public anonymity in the program? I suggest you read Traditions Eleven and Twelve in the 12 & 12 and talk about it with your sponsor. Keep on trudging and carrying the message. A friend ============================================ A FRIEND??? You're no friend of mine. People who have the gall to affront another member of AA like this, should be drawn & quartered, and have their dangling body parts paraded about all over town. But...that's just MY opinion. Did I respond? Absolutely. You can bet the hair on your chinny chinchilla!  |
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11-29-2005, 01:33 PM
| #5 (permalink) | |
| Member  Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: western canada
Posts: 1,440
| Quote:
I thought that was... press, radio.. film.. and other public means of communication... Stating that I follow the 12 step way of life is not breaking anyones' anonymity but mine... so... and how the hell do we practive "attraction rather than promotion" when we aren't eve supposed to state in our PERSONAL business that we walk the 12 step way... Nope... that doesn't feel right to me what was said. Glad you were restrained in your reply Midas.. ;o) | |
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11-29-2005, 01:53 PM
| #8 (permalink) | |
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11-29-2005, 05:05 PM
| #11 (permalink) |
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Dontcha just luv that Sweary Hackney Geezer? I Do!! I really needed a good belly-laugh today too. Here's my entire unedited response. ============================================ Hello Friend? Thanks for the congratulations. You're in recovery too, eh? Hey, that's GREAT! Don't you think you're being presumptuous suggesting I read the 12 & 12? You're insinuating I haven't and I don't appreciate it. I'm well aware of the anonymity stigma. And I have read the 12 & 12 several times cover-to-cover. I choose to be open about my recovery. Certainly, my openness has surprised more than a handful of people both INSIDE and OUTSIDE the AA program. But that's H.O.W. it works. Why not be open about sobriety? People knew precisely who we were when we were stumbling out of the bar every other night or passed out in the gutter. In fact, half the town probably knew more about us as DRUNKS! My decision to be open about my recovery program is neither subject to anyone else's approval nor is it a topic open for debate. By the way, my sponsor supports and encourages my openness 100%. I don't know who you are. And I don't want to know who you are. Thanks for bringing this non-issue to my attention though. «End of Discussion» Have a Nice Day.  ========================================== You have got to see & hear this one! Make sure your PC speakers are on. Mild Vulgar Slanderous Language Ahead! http://www.swearygeezer.co.uk/go.php...84ab659fd0237c |
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11-30-2005, 11:18 PM
| #20 (permalink) |
| Obsessed Pug Momma  Join Date: Aug 2005 Location: Probably at Wal-Mart
Posts: 1,274
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Personally, I think your reply was smug and defensive. I'm surprised that you've received so many congratulatory responses. In AA *I* was taught to consider "challenges" with an open mind. The Big Book talks about our egos and how our egos drive us to bow up when challenged. Today when approached with an opinion I don't agree with, I ask myself and carefully consider "Is there any truth in that?" Open-mindedness doesn't imply I have to agree with another person's side. To me it simply means I search for the truth, whatever that may be, with humility, not hostililty. In regards to public anonymity, sure it says "press, radio and films", but what was the intent?? We have lots of technology today that didn't exist when the traditions were written. Are we to use the omission of modern technology to justify our actions? It doesn't matter who's opinion I agree with, whether to be public about my recovery or not. What matters (to me) is that my reactions are based on spiritual principles. I challenge you to find which ones you used.
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12-01-2005, 12:19 AM
| #21 (permalink) |
| Don't get undies in a bunch  Join Date: Apr 2004 Location: South Shore MA
Posts: 7,184
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phew! That is a relief. Thought I was going to need sell off my stocks in AA bumpersticker companies. Keep it to yourself...don't buy from the AA store and what ever you do...don't put one of those...One day At a Time bumper stickers on your BMW. *LOL* Maybe Barry was saying... shhhh, don't tell anyone I am in recovery. Some people may think they still have the whole world fooled. Shhhh...*whispers* don't burst his bubble. *LOL*
__________________ * I asked God to spare me pain. God said "No", Suffering draws you apart from worldly cares and brings you closer to me.  Recovery Related Acronym B. E. S. T. = Been Enjoying Sobriety Today? |
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12-01-2005, 01:30 AM
| #22 (permalink) | |
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 .... That's an interesting response. Why are you taking this personally? It doesn't even involve you--until now. From my perspective, your challenge has no merit. But to answer your question, the spiritual principal I based my retort on, is the necessity to defend what I believe in, and to rebuke the direct insult to my intelligence. The tone of the original email was not a challenge, it was an assault. Generally speaking, defending yourself from an assault, regardless whether it's verbal or physical, is a very normal and very natural human response. Unless of course, you enjoy getting brow-beaten, stepped on, insulted, abused, defamed, ridiculed, slandered, etc. | |
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12-01-2005, 07:26 AM
| #23 (permalink) |
| Support our Troops.  Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: Republic Of Texas
Posts: 453
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If you get clean/sober why not tell the world what you have done. It can and will help others to do the same. How you did it is not nearly as important as having done it. I have been open with my recovery with those that I do business with, guess what, I am now getting more business from them. They can rely on me now that I am clean/sober. If I had kept it secret, I would not have received the extra business. I have been open with my recovery with my friends and acquaintances, guess what, I have helped twelve others to get clean/sober. Four couples and four individuals. Doing this has been a blessing to my own recovery. I can’t and won’t let the others that have followed my wife and I down. I know I am supposed to be doing it for me. Then again, does it really matter in the end how you stay clean/sober as long as you do? In my book it doesn’t. I am clean/sober today and will be tommorow too. This is not a rant against Alcoholics Anonymous, Narcotics Anonymous or any other group/program that is helping folks get control of their life back by being clean/sober. I just happen to believe that honesty works every time its tried.
__________________ Doing the right thing, when no one else is looking. -Bob Hook 'em 'Horns |
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12-01-2005, 10:08 AM
| #24 (permalink) |
| Guest
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|  Thank You, Plano! All I have is today. Even that isn't guaranteed. Sobriety is a life and death situation, and when we relate our experiences, it just might help someone else recover. Honesty is ALWAYS a winning policy. Being honest with yourself is even better! [Rant] Self-righteous indignation doesn't sit well with me either. ''My spiritual principles are better than your spiritual principles''. This attitude never saves lives--it takes lives. Judging others and challenging their beliefs is, quite frankly, putting one's life at risk. Wars and social unrest have resulted from this type of mistake. Does the term ''Spanish Inquisition'' not mean anything to you? It should. *points a glaring gaze at daydreamer* [End Rant] One should exercise caution when pointing the pointy finger in AA--because you have three fingers pointing right back at you. |
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12-01-2005, 04:00 PM
| #25 (permalink) |
| NA Rocks!  Join Date: May 2005 Location: Location Location
Posts: 517
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Anonymity? That "friend of Bill W." seems a little confused, Midas. I'm so glad you responded so well. Great job! It's strange the author felt compelled to take the time to write you and bring up what he did. One of my favorite NA statements I heard from a speaker recently is "What is it about me that you don't like about you?" It really makes sense. And hey, if NA wanted me to hide my recovery, then why do they honor/recognize my sobriety with BRIGHT COLORFUL KEYCHAINS!!!! Love ya Midas! Keep on keepin' on!
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