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Lisa in Iowa


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12th Step - What do you wish Old Timers would tell you?
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We're putting on a 12th Step workshop in my area later this month. As many of you know, good ole fashioned 12th step calls have changed (and not always for the better IMHO).  Question - If you were attending, what are the top three things about working with others that you would want covered in the workshop?  Thanks so much! - Lisa



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Lisa V.
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I went to a area birthday weekend some months ago, one of the "guest speakers" "lectured us" for 2hrs.

Just because I am coming up to "middle age" sobriety. I Still want to hear "Experience, Strength and HOPE"



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John R
Lisa in Iowa


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Excellent reminder. It's really all we have.

I had the same experience at the last speaker's meeting I went to. He stood at the podium and lectured for an hour.  It was painful to watch.



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Lisa V.
Pythonpappy


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1st thing that came to mind for me was Steps 1., 2., and 3. ... ... ... ...

And, ... Welcome to MIP Lisa, ... glad to have you here ...



Love ya and God Bless,
Pappy



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MarcLacroix


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Sure, Do the 1, 2, 3 for Starters and build your foundation.
I do the 1, 2, 3 each day and I can't even dance but I am Sober. :)

Marc


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Lisa in Iowa


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Thanks, Pappy!

 



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Lisa V.
SignsOfRecovery


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Follow the "Directions" and you'll get through the steps.

Chris Miller
www.Facebook.com/SignsOfRecovery
Snohomish, WA

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Chris Miller Signs of Recovery Snohomish, WA
Pythonpappy


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As I reread this, I see two separate topics here ... Twelve Step Workshop and Twelve Step Calls ...

A 12 Step Workshop should include all the steps and be led by others who are happy with sobriety and have worked them thoroughly ... and are practicing the daily principles recommended in the BB ...

A 12 Step Call, like those where a call comes in to the local Central Office, can present dangerous situations and should be covered by at least 2 seasoned AA'rs ... and what happens here is they try to assess whether there's an alcoholic here or not and offer help if they are sober enough to understand what's go'n on ... then they focus on try'n to get their prospect to determine if his life has become unmanageable or not ... once he has come to that conclusion, they can work on whether or not he's ready to try our program or not ...


Good topics ...
Pappy



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'Those who leave everything in God's hand will eventually see God's hand in everything.'
Lisa in Iowa


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Thanks, Pappy. You are spot on. Yes, my section of the workshop will be on 12th step calls and sharing of personal experience. I am in a rural area and so we tend to do 12 step calls the old fashioned way. Unless it is obvious that they need hospitalization, we bring them home with us. I have an excellent relationship with a local dr. who allows me to call him whenever I have someone in my home. He has willingly come out and bandaged blistered feet (homeless person who hit bottom), provided antibiotics, and given recommendations on how to best withdrawal to prevent seizures. He has also been a great resource when dealing with someone who is suicidal and will meet me at the ER so that person can be hospitalized in order to protect them from themselves. Your suggestion of having 2 seasoned AA's is a good one, but not always available in my area. I rely heavily on the Big Book's recommendations. Page 91 talks about, "when possible, meet your man alone." I think the old timers often found themselves at a 12th step call alone - it can work - but you are so right, I would much prefer to have someone with me.

I would be really interested to hear about others' 12th step calls that they have gone on. I feel very blessed that because of my location, I have been able to go on many through the years. Love and service keep us sober...and sane.

One Day at a Time,
Lisa


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Lisa V.
Fyne Spirit


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Hi Lisa,

That comment in the book about meeting your man alone I believe refers to him/her being alone, not you. Most of the early 12 step calls referred to in the book involved two people going.

Number one thing I would say is the twelfth step call is not "service". It is an essential part of each individuals recovery. It is a step, not a tradition or a concept. "Intensive work, one alcoholic with another is vital to permanent recovery". 12 step work should be viewed as an opportunity to enhance your recovery. "A kindly act once in a while isn't enough". I travel a lot which means large gaps of time between attending a particular meeting. When I go back, it is always the 12 steppers and sponsors who are still there, while the other faces are a changing parade. I really notice it.

Second thing. A boy and a girl together make a good team. They can call on either female or male prospects.

Third thing. We had a shortage of experienced 12 steppers, and quite a lot of people wanting to try but lacking experience and confidence. At our workshop we invited people to put their name down either as a 12 stepper, or a buddy. We then matched the new ones with the experienced ones, so the new person could go on a call with an older member. This worked really well. I have heard it said that the best 12 steppers are old timers and those newly sober. My experience would tend to support that idea.

A last thought would be to study the big book chapter "working with others".

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Fyne Spirit

Walking with curiosity.
Pythonpappy


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Hey Mike, ... GREAT to see ya ... How's the travels??? ... any good stories to tell??? ...

 

 

Love ya man and God Bless,

Pappy

P.S.   Any pics??? ....



-- Edited by Pythonpappy on Wednesday 20th of April 2016 06:18:35 AM

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'Those who leave everything in God's hand will eventually see God's hand in everything.'
Fyne Spirit


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Hi Pappy,

No great stories. Went off to Thailand for a couple of weeks, but got some kinda bug that laid me out for most of it. Back in Malaysia now working on the boat.

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Fyne Spirit

Walking with curiosity.
Pythonpappy


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Yeah, I can imagine a boat has much more 'upkeep' than a house ... especially as much as you travel to far distances ...

Keep you and your boat 'ship shape' ya hear??? ... ... ...



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'Those who leave everything in God's hand will eventually see God's hand in everything.'
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