I was listening to a traditions message given by AA co-founder Bill W. One of the things that was clear to me, was how much of a sacrifice these early members had made to secure recovery for people like me.
My gratitude meter has just climbed up a little more. I shudder to think what would have happened to me if AA was not there when I came in. I still owe a huge debt. One of the things my sponsor taught me, was that my recovery had to translate into service. There are some wonderful people who care and I pray that God will bless them abundantly.
Nice post gonee...I heard a guy share in a meeting once...That the steps are what keeps us from killing ourselves...The traditions are what keeps us from killing eachother.
More and more I find myself on the same page as Dr Bob. I never feel I have a gun to my head to make me do this work.
" I spend a great deal of time passing on what I learned to others who want and need it badly. I do it for four reasons:
1) Sense of duty.
2) It is a pleasure.
3) Because in so doing I am paying my debt to the man who took 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."
Hey Mike H...Or anyone else for that matter..You might know this...Have you ever heard that Doctor Bob was against the idea of the 12 & 12...And thought AA should have remained with just the one book?...And that the 12 & 12 was only published shortly after his death...Because that was Bill W.'s wish to get it published? Just curious...I heard that somewhere...
Hey Mike H...Or anyone else for that matter..You might know this...Have you ever heard that Doctor Bob was against the idea of the 12 & 12...And thought AA should have remained with just the one book?...And that the 12 & 12 was only published shortly after his death...Because that was Bill W.'s wish to get it published? Just curious...I heard that somewhere...
I have read that many were concerned about the 12 & 12. Ruth R wrote about it saying that she felt it would extend the time for completing the steps from about 4 weeks with the beginners groups, to about 12 weeks, which she felt would be not as effective. In fact the beginners groups were abandoned not long after the publication of the 12 and 12. Personally I find the 12 and 12 as a helpful analysis of the steps which makes sense after you have taken them, but it does not explain how to take them, so I stick with the basic text. Like the stories in the back of the book, the 12 and 12 is an individual opinion and perhaps ought to be treated as such. I wouldn't be at all surprised if Bob was not in favour of that book.
I have read that many were concerned about the 12 & 12. Ruth R wrote about it saying that she felt it would extend the time for completing the steps from about 4 weeks with the beginners groups, to about 12 weeks, which she felt would be not as effective. In fact the beginners groups were abandoned not long after the publication of the 12 and 12. Personally I find the 12 and 12 as a helpful analysis of the steps which makes sense after you have taken them, but it does not explain how to take them, so I stick with the basic text. Like the stories in the back of the book, the 12 and 12 is an individual opinion and perhaps ought to be treated as such. I wouldn't be at all surprised if Bob was not in favour of that book.
Interesting on the time frame...Considering it was about 12 weeks for myself...I didn't want to screw this thing up...And I did some reading of the 12 and 12....But I followed the directions in the big book....That was my text book. It wouldn't surprise me either about Dr. Bob. Thanks Mike H.
Good evening from Iowa Stepchild, I like all the interesting conversation about the Traditions and the 12&12 itself. When I first read the Big Book, I had a good understanding of how I was to proceed with the Steps. But, I will have to say that the 12&12 did provide a lot more insight and helped me to work each Step quite a bit more thoroughly. It's always done the same for all my sponsorees as well. Since the 12&12 was written some 13 years after the Big Book, I believe that Mr. Wilson would've had more insight and more to say about the Steps after 13 years sober. I know I did. Anyway, the 12&12 definitely helped me. Have a good week, Mike D.
I look at it like this Mike D....The 12 & 12 tells me why we do each step....The Big Book tells me how we do each step. I just needed to get em done....So far....So good.
Hi Stepchild, You're exactly right about both of the books -- How we do it & Why we do it. And, in the end it always comes down to.....Just Do It! By the way, I sent you a private message (if I did it right) the other day. See ya later, Mike D.
