After being around A.A. for a while I have an understanding of how the program works. When I read the big book I find most of it very inspirational. There is no written code by which the meetings should operate. Each group is autonomous. In my mind that means there is no right or wrong way to run a meeting. It's a group conscience deal. As long as it doesn't effect A.A. as a whole it's all good!
I guess I'm kind of like the guy in the book who thinks that A.A. is going to turn into some kind of program that goes beyond what it is. Wanting to shout the message from the rooftops. I always want to fix, manage, and control things. Human nature. If I see some way A.A. meetings can be improved I voice my thoughts privately and see if I'm sane or not!
This one guy whom I respect greatly told me about taking inventories. This was a few weeks ago. I said that I don't like doing it and I always keep my thoughts to myself. He told me and showed me in the bigbook where it tells you that you are supposed to take others inventory......to a point. Fine line. How do I figure out who the winners are? How do I figure out when someone is completely full of it? How do I figure out how to help the struggling newcomer? These are all questions that must be asked! And if I don't inventory someones needs and try and help, what kind of person does that make me?
I've been going through some tough times lately and I can't tell you that my attitude is wonderful all the time. Yes, I am guilty of throwing up some controversial topics. I guess sometimes I know the answer but I want to see if anyone has the 'balls' to say "hey you are right, good point! Or on the other hand " Hey Justin, your getting a lil off track here " LOL!
For me I need to test the waters. I'm not going to just post stuff that I think other people want to hear. I post what's going on with me and try to keep it based around AA. Doesn't always work.
Yes, I am doing some serious rambling here.
I don't think this board should be used when it comes to 4th step material.
I don't think this board should be used to slander others.
I don't think this board should be used to continue to feel sorry for myself.
I don't think this board should be used to rationalize and justify things I am doing in my life.
I don't think this board should be used to try and get answers which I want to hear, instead of the truth.
I don't think this board should be used to .......well you fill in the blanks!
I do think this board should be used to celebrate recovery and everything that goes with it!
I don't think this board should be used when it comes to 4th step material. I don't think there is any book or online site which could remotely be used for this. Making a fearless moral inventory of ourselves is something that we must do on our own, possibly with the assistance of a sponsor.
I don't think this board should be used to slander others. We had some folks come to this board with that intent, they were addressed in the same manner as anyone who has been disruptive at a face to face AA meeting.
I don't think this board should be used to continue to feel sorry for myself. Well, a lot of us have gone to f2f meetings riding our pity pot, and usually have been invited rather abruptly to get off of it.
I don't think this board should be used to rationalize and justify things I am doing in my life. See above
I don't think this board should be used to try and get answers which I want to hear, instead of the truth. See above (+add sponsor)
I don't think this board should be used to .......well you fill in the blanks!
I do think this board should be used to celebrate recovery and everything that goes with it! (accompanied by angelic choir) Aaaaaahhhhhhhhmeeennnnnnnn!
Most of us on this board are strong AAer's and don't feel much different from yourself. I don't anyways.
As for taking eachothers inventory... Well, my sponsor told me don't spend your time taking someone elses inventory, it will always be wrong. The only person that can honestly take your inventory is you. However... he added... you can easily read what someone is advertising in their walk and talk each day, and in it you will find a margin of truth.
I always want to fix, manage, and control things. Human nature. If I see some way A.A. meetings can be improved I voice my thoughts privately and see if I'm sane or not!
