tomsteve

if those with years of recvoery werent there to help me, to share what they used to be like, what happended, and what they are like now, i highly doudt i would have been able to get sober.
dr Bob sums it up pretty good for me:
" i spend a great deal of time passing on what i have learned to toehrs who want and need it badly. i do it for 4 reasons:
sense of duty
it is a pleasure
because in doing so i am paying my debt to the man who too the time to pass it on to me.
because every time i do it i take out a little more insurance for myself against a possible drunk."

Tamerua

In my meeting today, the guy that chaired was 25 years clean and said he goes everyday because it is only an hour and it is like church. You don't stop going to church once you understand the religion, you continue to go because there is always a message. I'm new to this, so that is not my wisdom! Lol Just thought it was interesting that this question was pose on the board and that it came up in my meeting.

IndaMiricale

Dont worry, I can only speak for me. And others that say the same thing.

But 99 % of anything I say was not from my great mind.. I simply listened and borrowed from the other people in the room...

BadCompany

I've got 22 years sober and attend at least 3 meetings a week. When I started AA my life was a smoking crater from stem to stern. 22 years later the kids are grown, I've got 9 grandkids that fight over who gets to play with me. I work, love and play well with others. My life is pretty cool even when things get funny. It would be criminal not to share with others what was so freely given to me.

BadCompany

Same here. I only look tall because I stand on the shoulders of giants.

Sapling

Thank you...For clarifying that.

Lily

I like what Sapling said, and that is my 1/2 my reason, be of service to the newcomer. I also like what BruceJ said, We keep what we have by giving it away. What a paradox!

Blessings, Lily

IndaMiricale

Recovery , Service , and Unity...

Look at the symbol..

For the circle is the fellowship"meetings"..

That covers all..

The bottom _ Recovery "If one was to ask how to you get that and keep it"

Well its a 3 legged stool. Cant stand with 1 or 2 legs..

So then the \ Service which is so important. No matter what aspect. But service leads to

/ and Unity.. Unity and We recover..

Around and around it goes.. You cant have service and unity without anyone else..

And thats why it only takes 2 people to make a meeting..

Anna

I'm not an AA member, but I have been coming to SR for years and I love it.

For me, recovery is not about alcohol, but it's a way of life. It's living my life with gratitude and understanding that I can cope with things in my life and remain peaceful. SR is my lifeline.

NoelleR

As Bill W described it.................:

"...the new symbol for A.A., a circle enclosing a triangle. The circle stands for the whole world of A.A., and the triangle stands for A.A.’s Three Legacies of Recovery, Unity, and Service..." (Alcoholics Anonymous Comes of Age; pg139).

We do 'recover;' we are 'united;' we do perform 'service' work....and for some, that service work is carrying the messsage in the rooms of AA. However, that's not the only way (or place) to carry the messsge, and many AAer's do not attend meetings at all.

I know that a lot of AAer's use the old addage....: "Meeting makers make," but the only thing that meeting makers make is..............meetings. Ther're not a requirement............

(o;
NoelleR

kitkat1

Can't add much to what has been said, but, like you, I am in awe of those "oldtimers." Also, I am reminded all the time that alcohol is a very subtle foe. The deterioration of my thinking precedes that first drink. I must be FOREVER vigilant. I've heard some refer to attendance at meetings, continuing to work the Steps, and the like as a form of insurance policy. Seems like very low premiums with tremendous benefits...for everyone.

Best wishes,

Kat

Sapling

So true...I don't go to meetings everyday anymore...I did my first six months...I had a lot to learn. When I look at the hours a day I committed to drinking for 35 years...An hour a day isn't all that much. And I'm still learning.

MemphisBlues

Newcomers remind me of where I have been and old timers remind me of where I could be.

I went to daily meetings during my first year of sobriety and now feel weird if I don't hit a meeting or two a month. I also take part in service work. I;m not dependent on meetings, but I am dependent on the program.

Db1105

I'm also well into my third decade and I like to think I still go to meetings to help others, but I'm really there to help me. I try to get to my home group that meets once a week. Sometimes I try get to a second meeting a week but mostly not. There is just not enough time in my life.

Meetings are not only a place where I can carry the message, but it gives me a chance to stop and reflect how I am doing, especially since I'm not a church going person.I also try to take an institutional commitment once or twice I year, and a service position every few years. Sobriety has given me the opportunity to live life, and I live it to the fullest. AA is just one part of my life. People were there for me when I first came around. AA only ask that I be there for those who come after me. That's what I'm trying to do.

Squizz

Why do they still attend meetings? I'm guessing because they enjoy them.