-=> Matrika said to Willie <=-
 Ma> other  stuff too.  FOR ME that would be a lot of help, I think.  So
 Ma> where have all the old-timers gone?   I don't know, but I have a clue -
 Ma> dropped  out due to the same problems, boredom and nobody to share as
No, many of the old-timers are still around. One of the meetings I
attend has several. Nearly 100 years of sobriety can be tallied with 3-4
that come.
In the following I use the term "us" and it is because many of us have
discussed the same thing.
Things are different for us in sobriety. Too many meetings do the AA
waltz...steps 1,2,3 repeat. There isn't much danger of us drinking
again, but we still have to deal with life on life's terms and all of us
are aware that alcohol is cunning, baffling, powerful, and PATIENT!
Our problems change as our sobriety increases. What worked for us early
in sobriety doesn't always work today. So we have to find solutions that
do work.
We also don't abandon the newcomer or those with lesser sober time. We
are often at these meetings willing to share our experience, strength,
and hope. The newcomer certainly reminds me of where I was and continues
my resolve to not return.
And, incidently, I still don't consider myself an old-timer...and I have
21 years. 
 Ma> when  your having a really bad day.  On the other hand, one doesn't
 Ma> want to  disillusion the newcomers and have them leave thinking AA
 Ma> doesn't work, if one shares honestly.  It's become a dilemna for me,
 Ma> most certainly. .
Should be no dilemna. Share openly and honestly. My life has had many
serious upheavals in sobriety, yet I never HAD to drink because of them
thanks to this simple program. When I share, I talk about these things.
I particularly stress the fact that life and life's problems don't go
away just because I am not drinking. I also stress that drinking is NOT
the solution. This sort of E,S,& H lets the newcomer know there is
continued hope and this program really does work.
 Ma> I'm still a long way from "practising these principles in all my 
 Ma> affairs (endeavors)", so I guess I have got to keep working on it.
Me too, but I'm getting better at it. 
... Higher Powered
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