ES>Something just occured to me and set me thinking.  Oft times in AA meetin
ES>within my area I hear the following.  "Is anyone having a problem staying
ES>away
ES>from a drink today, a living problem that might lead them to a drink, or
ES>topic they wish do discuss?"  This is a very interesting statement to me.
ES>it's terms.  But just becuase there is a little problem I need to clear u
ES>does that mean I need to talk about it at an AA meeting?  I really think
        Whether or not you talk about a problem is your choice.  If you
are having a problem that might lead you to take a drink don't you
think it would be wise to discuss it with someone?
        A problem shared is a problem cut in half, or so they say...
ES>a lot of the meetings are loosing the focus.  THe focus is how we got
ES>sober,
ES>how we stay sober, and how we can help others stay sober.  It's not to si
        I stay sober by incorporating the steps into my life, trying to
maintain a conscious contact with my HP and by helping someone else to
stay sober.  If I can help another person stay sober by listening to
them bitch and moan about their problems and maybe offer some advice
based on my own experience and it helps them stay sober (let alone help
them with the other problem) then I've done well.  Forgive me if this
sounds cocky, but how do you help others to stay sober?
        For me, the "focus" is found in this popular AA quote:
        "I am responsible.  When anyone, anywhere reaches out for help,
I want the hand of AA to be there.  And for that, I am responsible."
        Notice it does not say "... When some AA at a meeting someplace
is having trouble with a program related problem..."
        Anyone - Anywhere - No matter what.  I think we all fall short.
ES>have a complaint session on what he/she/it did to me today.  It's how
ES>I'm to handle things differently as a result of being sober that
ES>matters.
        Right, and just because *you* can handle things differently
today as a result of your sobriety does not mean that everyone else can.
Have you forgotten your yesterdays?
ES>I've sit in meetings time and time again hearing the same people moan
ES>about bosses, their families, their wives, etc. asking evrybody for
ES>feedback.  I
        Aren't you a part of "everybody"?  Don't just "... sit in
meetings time and time again..."  Come down off your cloud or off yer
butt and give them the feedback they asked for.
ES>fully beleive that if they wish to stay sober do something different.
        They may do something different eventually.  Pain is the
motivator.
ES>they are powerless not only over alcohol but everything, find out where
        Today, I am NOT powerless over alcohol unless I take a drink.
And I am not powerless over "everything".  There are LOTS of things I
have control of today for the simple fact that I surrendered control of
my alcohol problem to a power greater than myself.
ES>have the power to make a personal change, and use the opportunity
ES>presented to do exactly that.
        The personal change it seems you are looking for in others is in
attitude and acceptance, and the fact that you posted this message
complaining about the complainers says something about that, too. ;)
 * SLMR 2.1a * Harrass an agnostic.  Burn a question mark in his yard!
--- SLMAIL v4.5a  (#4334)
---------------