Sunday, December 25, 2011

I Don't Care

.
I don’t care

that you don’t care

about your sobriety,

but please

respect the rights

of others.

A 12 Step meeting usually last one hour and for a number of reasons you should be in you seat when the meeting is started and you should still be in your seat when the meeting is over.

Although the format of the meeting is arbitrary the reason for the meeting and the participation of the attendees is always a constant, to carry the message to all who seek sobriety.
If the meeting begins with prayer or readings one should listen closely to the words, there may be a key to today’s peace of mind in the message.
If you had a good sponsor, the person who walked you through the steps and explained How It Works for him and others, he would be remiss if he did not explain that the way to recovery is change.
Therefore, no matter how many times you have heard the prayer, no matter how many times you have heard the readings, listen closely because today is a different day, the world has changed and the words in the message may be heard differently today because hopefully you also have changed.

It was once pointed out to me that when someone is sharing there are a few reasons that we should be very attentive to their story:
Hopefully their message has to do with the topic of the meeting and hopefully the topic is about not drinking, one day at a time.
It also can be very devastating to a person sharing their pain, struggles, guilt, remorse and shame to look up and see two people talking and laughing, the automatic reaction is for the sharer to believe that they are laughing at him and his reason for seeking sobriety is shattered, his trust in the fellowship destroyed.
The person you are talking to may miss the necessary tool to keep their sobriety because you were taking their focus away from the true message.
Respect, if someone is sharing from the heart about HOW the program works,
“learn to listen and listen to learn.”

Although the program of AA is suggested, there are some rules of etiquette that should be adhered to at meetings:
Get your coffee and sit down, the next cup will wait until the meeting is over.
Only one activity at a time should be happening, do not pass around telephone list, collection baskets, announcements, cake or cards while readings or sharing is happening.
Clean up is after the meeting is over, coffee for after the meeting is important.
Do not put your telephone on vibrate and leave the meeting at any time to answer calls, if you are on call and you must be available to be called in case of emergencies, sit next to the door in the rear, and do not share your experience, strength and hope unless you are able to do so without interruption.
You know, keep your sharing brief, you know, and to the topic, you know, because most people, you know, begin to repeat themselves in three to five minutes, you know, and no, I do not know, because
if I did know I would not be at a meeting seeking wisdom from someone who can help me stay sober,
one day at a time.

AA is a spiritual program shared by humble people who leave their egos at the door.

There is no such thing as a bad meeting; it is only that some meetings are better than others.


Today, do your part, sit for an hour and make your meeting the best meeting in town.

Peace on Earth


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Peace on Earth

begins with me.

When I have no fear,

when I have faith,

when I am not at war

with myself,

when I have freedom

from disquieting or oppressive

thoughts or emotions,

when I live in a state of tranquility or quiet,

when I know that the will of a Higher Power,

not my will, is being done,

then I shall know peace of mind and I will be enjoying Pace on Earth.

"Nothing that I can do will change the structure of the universe.
But maybe, by raising my voice I can help the greatest of all causes
-- goodwill among men and peace on earth."                     ~ Albert Einstein

Be kind, smile, let the peace within you shine through.

Be loving, hug; share the peace that is within you.

Be patient and tolerant, some have yet to learn

how to let peace into their souls.

Be the peaceful person your Higher Power wants you to be.

"I heard the bells on Christmas Day.
Their old familiar carols play.
And wild and sweet the words repeat.
Of peace on earth goodwill to men."            ~ Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

Today, be at peace with yourself and be the best example

of Peace on Earth that anyone will see today.

Remember to repeat this suggestion for the next 364 days.

Happiness is knowing that serenity and peace of mind are inside jobs.

Happiness is helping someone help themselves.

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ME and the Boss

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Wednesday, December 14, 2011

The Real Smile

The not real
smile,

forced,
polite,
smirking,

lazy, (it only takes
two muscles to smile
and twenty-two
to frown),

curious,
insensitive,
under the influence
and or
for whatever reason,
obviously not genuine,

not real.

.

Then there is the "real smile."

From beyond the soul a "real smile" has an energy that

emanates from the Great Creator, a Higher Power,

a God of your understanding.

The "real smile" has its roots in unconditional love.

The "real smile" is :

truth,
trust,
sincere,
caring,
loving,
happy,
joyous
and free,

free from guilt, shame, or resentments

and free of any emotions that would prevent one

from doing their best, the next right thing,

the will of the Spirit of the Uni-verse.      (One-song)

As with any emotion, there are some who go to the extremes

and there are some who stand in the middle ground trying

to figure out if the elevator is going up or down.

Most enjoy moving through their emotional life

in the middle ground,  not too angry, not too kind or too loving

(at least until I get to know you better),

in control....

Then again there are the blessed blithe spirits

who live on top of the kind and loving emotional roller coaster

of life and it seems that their smile keeps them levitated,

out of harms way, willing to think of others first,

immune to the slings and arrows of the mean and jealous,

just happy, joyous and free,

free to be at peace with the God of their understanding.

How do I know about the real smile ???, it was taught to me

by a recently departed acquaintance who always wore the real smile.

For those who shared their memories of their friend, the smile was always

the first recollection, followed by realization of this is how a real smile is to be.

Although her journey was by no means always a Sunday country ride,

she  used her experience strength and hope

only to make this world a better place.

Today, as we remember Marcie, the fellowship will always be able to share

her legacy of the "real smile" and how it is what many people want,

and how this program works.

Love is a real smile.

Love is helping someone love themselves.
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ME and the Boss

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Marcia Peterson   12/31/36  -  11-/09/11

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