Other than saving my life here are more reasons why I dig AA meetings . And reasons I hope it gives you hope .
AA provides a haven for the truly down and out who often have no place else to spend a an hour or so of their day .
You can even go to an AA meeting in jail
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What you do for a living doesn't matter to anyone in AA .No one is put on a pedestal .
Nobody is in charge . Our leaders are but trusted servants .
It allows fellowship amongst folks with similar problems and similar outlooks on life .
People can fairly easily get back a sense of self worth and self importance through service work if they are willing .
Making coffee in AA is a highly respectable job .
AA provides a sounding board for those who may feel they have been forgotten by the rest of the world . I know I felt forgotten for awhile .
It can help people with their social skills, public speaking skills and relationships can and are developed .
AA gives us simple problem solving skills like prayer, The Big Book with all it's wisdom and guidance from others which are easy enough solutions for me .
It provides a real escape for people who are facing real life problems such as unemployement, poverty, sadness. It takes us out of ourselves if only for an hour .
AA only has one requirement for membership, a desire to stop drinking, any and all are welcome into it's rooms .
In AA we can identify with others like ourselves and it provides a measure of hope .
We find a a place of acceptance which is almost surreal .
We hear people speak from their hearts about their flaws openly and honestly .
We are not judged, in fact no one even bat's an eyelash when we talk about the terrible things we did .
AA offers a place of refuge for those who feel hopeless and have no where else to go .
We can choose whatever conception of God we like .
You can not be kicked out of AA. Even if you leave . You are always welcome back .
I don't have to be a rocket scientist to approach and apply the steps to my life, just willing .
All the coffee you can drink and sometimes some donuts too!!
It provides a social outlet with monthly gatherings such as dances, picnics, softball games without the temptation to drink .
It taught me how to smile again .
It helps me stay away from a drink one day at a time .
I gave everything away to alcohol and AA gave me back myself .
I really did find hope and that was just the beginning .