Alcoholics Anonymous
Members Login
Username 
 
Password 
    Remember Me  
Post Info TOPIC: Why go to AA Meetings?


Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 8
Date:
Why go to AA Meetings?
Permalink  
 


I'm not being silly.  I know the importance of meetings to me and my sobriety but as a sponsor fail to convey this important message effectively.  I am asking for quotes like "meeting makers make it", passages from any approved literature, or ideas.  I try to set an example and realize that I can not make anyone do anything but also know that I am not an "expert" on the books and I always try to reinforce any AA suggestions with written documentation.  This type of reinforcement helped me in early sobriety and still does.  Any thoughts will be appreciated.  Neil

This is my first post.  If inappropriate please let me know (in that gentle AA waysmile.


__________________
Later


MIP Old Timer

Status: Offline
Posts: 996
Date:
Permalink  
 

Hi There and Welcome,

Send her or him to this site, just to see the "WE" as a "Fellowship of Recovering Alcoholics" 

We need each other when the urge to pick up that first drink, we dont have tools to not finish that thought when it comes up. I know I didn't.

She/He can read about others failures, such as my own, when I attempted to try to get sober without Meetings. In my opinion, it does not work, it never did for me, and this is just my opinion only.

By the way, if you did that, you could edit out your Post, so they would not have to read it, if you wanted to.

And remember it is an Inside Job, so it has to come from the inside of them, no words by anyone will change that.

AA is for people that WANT IT, not for people that NEED it.
good to remember.....

Again, Welcome.
Toni


__________________


MIP Old Timer

Status: Offline
Posts: 2520
Date:
Permalink  
 

People who don't go to meetings, don't see/hear what happens to people who don't go to meetings.

Meetings are a place where I feel needed, wanted and loved.  Something I didn't feel before with my old playmates and playgrounds.

Meetings are a place for 12 step work:  Having had a spiritual awakening as a result of these steps we try to pass this message to alcoholics and practice these principles in all our affairs.  By going to meetings we're trying to carry the message to alcoholics.  We can't keep what we don't pass on. 
BB:  nothing ensures immunity more than working with another alcoholic.

It important to me to give back what was so freely given to me.

Meetings are a comfortable place for me to learn and grow in spirit. 

There's more but I'll let the others chim in.....

__________________


MIP Old Timer

Status: Offline
Posts: 3278
Date:
Permalink  
 



For me its because I've mostly always have listened with my eyes.  I use to hear better
than I do now (double bionic) and I use to hear the message.  I got to "hear" it more
clearly by watching the walkers rather than listening to the talkers only and I did what
the walkers do.   My sponsors always were humble and from that telling me that they
didn't have everything at everytime and I needed to be around others to insure that
I had the understanding of what the program and the fellowship were all about.  The
message of recovery is greatly enforced when it is being worked by many.  I have
had some very very good sponsors and yet most of my recovery has comes from the
membership in the rooms.    I also go to AA meetings to give back to others what has
been so freely given to me and as a result has saved my life.

Good thread.   smile

__________________


Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 16
Date:
Permalink  
 

My first meeting was a cd on the fellowship, ironic? Not likely, so many wonderful things have been happening since choosing to recover with aa. A fellowship of like people so different from one another with shared experiences. Great resource for help, inspiration, joy.

__________________
Hbg123


MIP Old Timer

Status: Offline
Posts: 3057
Date:
Permalink  
 

Welcome to MIP, Neil. It is explained in the 12 & 12 of our literature how meetings are a positive working of step two. They definately help me to stay on the straight & narrow of sane thinking around alcohol. I know it is a part of my illness to think that taking another drink for me would not lead to the same misery I had with it before. Now as a 12 stepper I have a responsibility to carry the message to the next sufferer & helping others helps me. It is a joy for me hear the honesty & fellowship shared in meetings between people who might not ordinarily mix. It is also good step three work I believe to share at a meeting as I am demonstrating my faith & trust that the right thing will be said &\or heard. Being at a meeting whether on a 'bad' day or 'good' day is useful for me. It always helps me to listen & learn more. I love being a part of our fellowship. I look forward to your posts, Danielle x

__________________
Progress not perfection.. & Practice makes Progress!


Senior Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 230
Date:
Permalink  
 

I used to hate meetings.
Then I tolerated meetings.
Now I look forward to meetings.

For me, meetings are the most important(and enjoyable) part of recovery. I love the fellowship and the sharing of experience, strength, and hope. I love to hear many different points of view. I love learning what works-- and what doesn't work. I love greeting newcomers. I love holding hands and praying together. I love the hugs.

Oh, and I love the coffee and cookies.

Love y'all.
Glad yer here.
Keep coming back.


__________________
Serenity,

jasperkent


MIP Old Timer

Status: Offline
Posts: 3809
Date:
Permalink  
 

If you are thinking about going to a meeting, go to a meeting and then think about it.

__________________
Keep coming back. It works if you work it. So work it. You're worth it!


Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 7
Date:
Permalink  
 

As a person coming up on twenty years. I for a long time did not go to meetings. I thank my HP that my wife is a walking twelve step program. For years I was miserable and towards the end in a deep depression. My wife would remind me daily, it's time. Being the stubborn alcoholic with no desire to drink but the fog of an AA who just stepped into the rooms. I would tell her not to worry. That I would be alright. Well I wasn't. A little over two years ago I went back to my meetings. I feel so much better and no longer hide under my covers. So for me today the question is not Why but, Why not?

__________________


MIP Old Timer

Status: Offline
Posts: 3809
Date:
Permalink  
 

Welcome Dickson! Please stay active on the board. Could use your ESH and I liked your response here.

__________________
Keep coming back. It works if you work it. So work it. You're worth it!


Senior Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 156
Date:
Permalink  
 

I like the responses! My sponsor used to say to me if I missed a meeting (in a somewhat snarky voice): "I don't know what YOU were supposed to hear at that meeting, but I know I heard what I was supposed to hear"

__________________


Senior Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 424
Date:
Permalink  
 

Those who don't go to meetings never get to hear about what happened to those who don't go to meetings.

Drifters Drink

I only need one meeting a week, but I never know which one it will be, so I go to lots of them.

Miss meetings and the ISM will be right back in no time. ISM = I Sabotage Myself.

I suffer from alcoholISM, not alcohol WASm

__________________
Serenity is Wanting what you have, not having what you want

Always remember non-alcoholic beers are for NON-ALCOHOLICS

*SOBRIETY ROCKS*


Senior Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 230
Date:
Permalink  
 

I really like all these responses.

This I know for sure: If I were able to do this alone, I'd have done it a long time ago.

Love and Peace to you all.

__________________
Serenity,

jasperkent


Member

Status: Offline
Posts: 8
Date:
Permalink  
 

Thanks everyone for the responses. They were pretty much what I expected and had hoped for. It is good to receive validation for my own thoughts and also gives me more of what I need to encourage others to Go To Meetings! Thanks

__________________
Later
Page 1 of 1  sorted by
Quick Reply

Please log in to post quick replies.