Aloha AA family and welcome to the annual anniversary that for me started on 2-8-79. My early sponsor who sits with me still in spirit gave me the early key thought for staying sober which is "duplication" ....Duplicate the day before it and keep coming back. It wasn't all that easy for sure as all you old timers know and then with all of you old timers nudging me from the back on a daily basis and my HP with a smile and chuckle leading from the fore that has become a daily habit. It wasn't easy because of my ego and close mindedness that I didn't need all of you all and your bs over and over and over and then HP knew me better than I could imagine and set me up properly.
I was ready to leave the program again for the third time until one morning at the early meeting the meeting secretary made an announcement of my 17th anniversary and gave me my first ever chip. I was standing looking at the entry/exit to the cabana we hold our meetings in that also lead to my vehicle and holding the chip I didn't know what to do next but to sit down again to the "Keep coming back(s)" and such. I got a resentment and a sponsee as a result and another day in this fellowship of AA,
On Saturday morning in a different cabana right next to the Pacific Ocean at my Saturday version of AA at the Bay I will exchange chips; hand over this one which has sat framed in my key ring for the next one which could be new or also passed down to me. I love to get handed the chip from the brother moving on. Wish me luck and remember "Duplicate" ((()))
I can duplicate a "Pap" too...except for the handsomeness and then that would take a vote huh? Mahalo for all that you have shared that works when we work it. ((()))
Congratulations and blessings Jerry,,,,,continued grace and mercy from your Higher Power,thanks for continuing to carry the message of Hope and freedom of our Program and the application into all areas of our lives!!! :)
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Selfishness-self-centeredness! That, we think, is the root of our troubles.
Toad your post enlightens my spirit with that "grace" word. I first heard it in recovery sense from my VA AA counselor and it caused a pronounced spiritual change in me. He used it connected to "mercy" which was not a part of my alcoholic language...I never asked for mercy till I got here and got it anyway and the program started to give me grace and has continued to do so for 39 years. Mahalo ((((()))))
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