Yes, I do think that being a part of this great forum would make one a member of AA. But, I guess only if that person posted honestly and kept coming back. If I didn't go to actual AA meetings, but used this forum to help keep me sober, than I would say that I was in AA.
Thank heavens that I am not the only one who's thinking changes by the minute! Thanks for that!
Have a great day, won't you?
Carol
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Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind. ~Dr. Seuss
Phil wrote: Hey Justin? YOU THINK TOO DAMNED MUCH!! hahaha 3rd Tradition states "The only requirement for AA membership, is a desire to stop drinking" Youre here..arent cha? Now get back in the boat..its your turn to row!! lol
What he said.
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Work like you don't need the money
Love like you've never been hurt, and
dance like no one is watching.
I just don't ever wanna get up some morning, think I'm 'cured', and that I don't need real-live AA meetings because I'm on MIP!!!!! So it depends why you are asking, Justin.... at least for ME anyway...
I think this board contributes to my sense of membership in AA. It provides us with a avenue to share our experience, strength and hope with each other. However, this board, of and in itself, as a stand alone AA tool does not align me with AA, affiliate me with AA, or justify my defining myself as a "member" of AA.
AA is so much more than this message board. It is so much more than attending face to face meetings, it is sooo much more than having a great sponsor and attempting to be a great sponsor to others, it is sooo much more than reading the organizations literature, it is sooo much more than putting a dollar in the 7th tradition basket, it is sooo much more than working the 12 Steps of recovery, it is sooo much more than having a home group, it is sooo much more than providing service work at the group, regional, district, state or world level...
It is soo much more.... than any one of these valuable tools. It emcompasses and provides all these tools.
It is doing all of the above and so much more that says, in action, not word, that I am a member of AA.
Most importantly, when I stay sober one day at a time, I am a reflection of the by product of what being a AA member means.
I could post on this board 500 times a day, 7 days a week. Don't go to any meetings, not have a sponsor, not have any sponsees, not provide any financial support to the group, not read any other AA approved literature, not do any level of service work, not work the 12 steps, and not stay sober....
Do you think I would be justified in still calling myself a member of AA simply because of my interaction on this board? I don't.
While we can support and be supported here, alcoholism is a disease of isolation and fear. we cannot begin to overcome these until we let somebody in to our lives, face-to-face, nutz-n-boltz and all.
I am not truly accountable unless I have real-life contact with another alcoholic in recovery. It is a lot easier for someone to see through my bullcrap when looking me in the eye, than through the anonymity of cyberspace.
As I've said many a time before, "I was not anonymous when falling off the bar stool, getting arrested, cussing people out in the street..... " so I need to watch what my motives are now if I am being really protective of my 'privacy'. Sounds like keeping secrets to me. While I don't necessarily have to march through my neighborhood proclaiming victory, I do need face-to-face accountability with another AA.
Just my take... take what you like and leave the rest.
