What we did was simply go to meetings of Alcoholics Anonymous. There are over five million each year, in approximately 150 countries around the globe. And remember, you do not have to become an AA member in order to visit some AA meetings. If all you want to do is sort of "try out" AA, you are entirely welcome to attend AA meetings as an observer and just listen quietly, without saying a word. You don't need to give your name, or you can give a phony one if you want to. AA understands. It doesn't record names of either members or visitors attending its meetings, anyhow. You won't have to sign anything, or answer any questions.
Feel free to ask some, if you wish. But many people prefer just to listen the first few times.
Like practically everyone else who has gone to an AA meeting, you'll probably be very surprised the first time. The people you see around you look mostly normal, healthy, reasonably happy, and suc-cessful. They do not look like old-fashioned cartoons of drunkards, bums, or fanatic, dried-up teetotalers.
What's more, you'll usually find us quite a friendly bunch, doing a lot of laughing—at ourselves. That is why, if you are hung-over, an AA gathering provides a cheerful environment for getting past the hangover and beginning to feel much, much better.
You can be very sure that every AA member in that room deeply understands exactly how you feel, because we remember vividly our own hangover miseries, and how it felt the first time we ever went to an AA meeting.
If you are shy, kind of a loner—just like many of us—you'll find the AA members willing to let you pretty much alone if that is really what you want and it makes you more comfortable.
However, most of us found it much more beneficial to hang around for a bite and a chat after the meeting. Feel free to participate in the socializing, or "eyeball-to-eyeball sharing," just as much, or as little, as you wish.
Excellent post there Pickle .... My wish is that it helps break down the barrier holding someone back from trying our meetings ... especially those who need them ... Great job...
Pappy
__________________
'Those who leave everything in God's hand will eventually see God's hand in everything.'
Yep, Pappy, we need to overcome the barriers that are obstructing us from getting to meetings. Why?
Because meetings are where one learns what the AA program is all about. Meetings are where we can enjoy respite from the troubles of the harsh world--for an hour at least. And, finally, meetings are where the sober people are. We NEED those people to help us stay sober.
Yep, I've heard the 'cotton' thingy a thousand times ... and a few times it was directed toward me ... my first year sober, I began to see the reasoning behind it ... cause when I shared, it was as though I had years of sobriety when I only had a few months ... so I REALLY didn't know what I was talk'n bout ... it was only when I shut up and started listening to those who had the 'time' in the program, that I started learning ... that's when I took what they had to offer and used it to change my life ... Now I am in a position to give back those lessons I was given ...
Thank you and God Bless, Pappy
__________________
'Those who leave everything in God's hand will eventually see God's hand in everything.'
