Sobriety in Stumptown

Transcription

1 Sobriety in Stumptown Portland Area Intergroup October NE 20th Ave, Portland, OR Volume 6, No AA and Childcare What s a Parent to Do? by Sue G., Damascus, OR It s been a rough day. The kids have been bouncing off the walls and it is too stormy to send them outside to play. Nothing has gone right from the time you got out of bed and the day isn t half over yet. You find you need a meeting desperately to ground yourself. Quickly you grab the latest copy of the AA Meeting Schedule that sits on your kitchen counter. You quickly thumb through the book trying to find a meeting that offered childcare. But here in the Portland, you are probably out of luck. There are over 440 AA meetings a week in the city of Portland. Only three of them offer childcare. I ve had a lot of trouble bringing my son to an AA meeting, said Tim H. His son, Jacob, was quietly sitting eating his lunch. I am a single parent and there are days were I need to be with other alcoholics. I ve had times where I felt myself and my son were not welcomed in a meeting. Rachel Z. says that she has taken her two school-aged children to Friday night s Women s Night Out meeting. It gives me a chance to focus on the meeting. I don t know what I would do without it. I don t particularly care for children in an AA meeting, Larry S. said. I have to watch my language and I don t like that or the parents don t do a good job of making them behave. 1

2 Others are a bit more understanding with their fellow AA members who bring children with them to meetings. I remember those days, Lana B. said. You have kids, you need a meeting, and what else are you going to do? There are smaller cities around the area that do a much better job of providing childcare to AA members. Beaverton, Hillsboro, and Forest Grove all have a much higher number of meetings that offer childcare. Portland definitely has some room for improvement. Alcoholic Insanity One Man s Opinion by Dallas B., New York, NY Here is my own opinion and story when it comes to the term alcoholic insanity. Real alcoholic insanity? It has nothing to do with thinking about drinking. It happens when life and sobriety is good. When I don't want, or crave, or even think about drinking. Absolutely no idea of drinking enters my mind and the next thing I know is - I've already been drinking. It most often occurs when an alcoholic has been sober for a long period of time and he or she no longer even think about drinking and he or she no longer even want a drink! It most often happens when life is going good. Relationships are good. Job is good. And, no problems are going on! It's not the alcohol or drinking that is so cunning, powerful, or baffling. "It's the alcohol- ISM, that's cunning, powerful, and baffling." Alcohol is a substance. Alcohol-ISM is a condition of mind and body. The alcoholic's body has an abnormal reaction to alcohol. And, the most dangerous period of time in the alcoholic's mind is when it "doesn't even think about drinking!" So, if you're a sober alcoholic, and life is going good and you no longer even think about drinking, just remember... that's the most dangerous time for you. For me, this is why I must keep active in a program of sober living. This is why I must continue to try to help other alcoholics. This is why I must remain active in a fellowship of recovering alcoholics - a fellowship like AA. 2

3 The Great Reality Deep Within by Bob S., Richmond IN As I venture through each passing day, I try to watch for those ever-reoccurring defects of character such as repeating angry thoughts, self-centeredness, unreasonable fear, and all the rest of it. Of course, Step Ten (Big Book, p. 84) tells me to ask God at once to remove these dangerous obstacles when they crop up, but without conscious contact with my Higher Power I am lost those little devils jump in the driver s seat long before I realize they have taken control, rendering me minus a fit spiritual condition. Lest I soon reconnect with the aforementioned Power I will be treading on dangerous emotional territory. But where is this mysterious power? The Big Book provides a surprising answer: We found the Great Reality deep down within us. In the last analysis it is only there that He may be found. It was so with us. (Big Book, p. 55.) Please note the words, Great Reality, are capitalized denoting God. Bill W. is not theorizing here; he is describing spiritual results from AA history. In other words, I already possess the power to face, and be rid of, reoccurring sobrietythreatening emotional states, as they crop up, so long as I make use of the intuitive cognizance offered by this mysterious, yet ever-present, God Given Reality. Reality implies truth. An alcoholic cannot drink on the truth! An alcoholic can only drink on a lie. Big Book, page 87, tells us we find that our thinking will, as time passes, be more and more on the plane of Inspiration. We come to rely on it. Living out of this inspirational truth, albeit only spasmodically, has allowed me to remain emotionally fixed and stable regardless of outside influences at least enough that I haven t had to drink since my very first AA meeting. Simply living in the spirit of the twelve steps, in some mysterious way, brings forth this inherent self - my trues Self - as a most welcome intuitive guide. That is to say, clean house in all day long (Step 10); pray throughout the day (Step 11); so I may be of maximum service to God and my fellows all day long (Step 12). In short: Out of self. Into God. Into others. (Rev. Sam Shoemaker) And to parrot the famous 1940s Cleveland Indians catcher, Rollie Hemslie, AA opened the door, but I had to walk in! I have to walk in each and every new day to revive and continue my conscious contact with my Great Reality deep down within, if I want to remain happy, joyous, and free of booze. 3

4 Seventh Tradition Math by Tim S., Portland, OR I arrived in the rooms of AA in For the first year or two, I went to 18 meetings a week, early morning, noon, and late afternoon or evening. At each meeting I put a dollar in the basket. 18 meetings x $1.00 = $18.00 a week. With 25 years of sobriety and a life that s changed beyond my wildest dreams, thanks to Alcoholics Anonymous, it s 12 Step program of recovery, and the members of the fellowship, I go to a couple of meetings a week (most weeks). With gratitude, my income is three times what it was when I got here. Without AA, I m pretty sure that wouldn t be the case. In fact, I m pretty sure I d be dead or locked up. The least I can do is put $5.00 (or more) in the basket: 2 meetings x $5.00 = $10.00, still barely half of what I contributed when I was barely dry and without a home of my own. Bill W wrote in 1957: [We are left with] a responsibility one that every member ought to understand. We cannot skimp when the treasurer of our group passes the hat. Our groups, our areas, and A.A. as a whole, will not function unless our services are sufficient and their bills are paid. (W)hen we are generous with the hat we give a token that we are grateful for our blessings and evidence that we are eager to share what we have found with all those who still suffer. (The Language of the Heart, p. 221.) Not everyone has the resources they did when they came into the rooms, but if your financial affairs have kept pace with your sobriety, please ask yourself whether, by habit or otherwise, you re still throwing a buck in the basket and whether your contribution reflects the value of your sobriety. For more on this topic, take a look at the WSO pamphlet, Self-Support: Where Money and Spirituality Mix, available online at 3_selfsupport.pdf. Sponsees Say the Darnedest Things "Here's the thing: I may not always do it, but when I do it always works." (In reference to turning it over.) 4

5 "I've learned for the first time in my life how to fit into my life." "There're teachers in this room for every kind of problem... "Character is built, personality is innate." "Fear and faith don't live in the same house." "When I'm out there serving my higher power I'm covered. I'm 100% taken care of." "You no longer have to drink. And you no longer have to suffer." "When I was drinking I said, 'Hunker Down, Keep it Secret, Figure it Out.' In sobriety I say 'Stand up, Tell the Truth, Ask for Help.' New Editor Needed By Jennifer L., Editor, Sobriety in Stumptown In November, my two-year service position will end. Sobriety in Stumptown will need a new Editor. Here is an excellent opportunity to make a huge impact on the Portland area s still-suffering alcoholic community and beyond. In my opinion, this editorial position is one of the most influential, far-reaching, and gratifying service positions within the PAI. This job is never boring, and will always offer creative opportunities. While you, as Editor, will ultimately decide the final newsletter deliverables, content, and tasks, you will have several consistent responsibilities, as follows. Coordinate all newsletter submissions into one document, ensuring the content is related to recovery from alcoholism in some way, Deliver an electronic version of a newsletter each month, prior to the Monthly PAI meeting, held the second Monday of each month, Recruit members for, organize, and lead, a newsletter committee composed of a diverse group of alcoholic volunteers, Write and present the committee status reports at the monthly PAI meetings, and Continuously solicit appropriate, recovery-related newsletter content. I am happy to discuss this Editorial service position and answer any questions. And I will make time for training if you would like help. If you are interested, please send an 5

6 to me at This is an exciting opportunity to make a positive impact on your own recovery and our AA community as a whole. Take a chance you will never regret it! I look forward to hearing from you. Quotable Quotes "Strength from God comes in small doses so that I don't get too far away from The Source." Katy Drake Challenges are what make life interesting and overcoming them is what makes life meaningful. Joshua J. Marine One of the most important keys to success is having the discipline to do what you know you should do, even when you don t feel like doing it. Unknown The one thing that doesn t abide by majority rule is a person s conscience. Harper Lee If your dreams don t scare you, they are not big enough. Ellen Johnson Sirleaf "Good things come to those who wait. Greater things come to those who get off their ass and do anything to make it happen. Unknown Happiness cannot be traveled to, owned, earned, or worn. It is the spiritual experience of living every minute with love, grace & gratitude. Denis Waitley Don t worry about failures, worry about the chances you miss when you don t even try. Jack Canfield Monthly Business Meetings For details about monthly business meetings, contact the PAI Office at Or send your questions or concerns to [email protected]. 6

7 Portland Area Intergroup (PAI): Monthly Business Meeting, 2 nd Mon, 7:00 PM, 3123 NE 24 th Ave. (St. Mary Magdalene Church), Portland PAI CPC (Cooperating with the Professional Community) PAI Public Information PAI Treatment Facilities PAI Bridging the Gap PAI Corrections PAI Website PAI Newsletter Dist 9: 1 st Wed, 6:30 PM, 24 th and Kearney, Portland Dist 10: Last Mon, 7:00 PM, Beaverdam Rd., West Side Service Cntr, Beaverton Dist 11: Last Thu, 7:00 PM, URS Club, Portland Dist 12: 1 st Tue, 6:30 PM, 12x12 Club, 7035 NE Glisan, Portland Dist 15: 1 st Wed, 6:45 PM, th St., Oregon City Dist 18: 1 st Sat, 9:30 AM, 215 N 6 th St., St. Helens Dist 23: 1 st Tue, 6:00 PM, Emmanuel Presbyterian, SW Willamette Dr., West Linn Dist 24: 1 st Thu, 6:15 PM, 2800 SE Harrison St., Portland Dist 26: 2 nd Sun, 5:00 PM, St Charles Church, 5310 NE 42 nd Ave., Portland Dist 27: 1 st Mon, 7:00 PM, SE Linwood Ave., St. Paul s Methodist, Milwaukie Dist 31: 2 nd Tue, 7:00 PM, 937 NE Jackson School Rd., Hillsboro Dist 34: 3 rd Sat, 5:00 PM, 485 Portland Ave., Gladstone Dist 35: 2 nd & 4 th Sat, 7:00 PM, SW Shaw St., Suite A, Beaverton Dist 36: 2 nd Thu, 6:00 PM, 2025 SW Vermont St., Portland Dist 37: 2 nd Tue, 6:30 PM, SW Town Center Loop East, Wilsonville Committee News We have several committee positions available. PAI needs your help. Working on a committee is excellent 12th Step service work. If you are interested in being on any 7

8 Portland Area Intergroup committee, send an to pdxaa.com with "COMMITTEE INTEREST" in the subject field. Or, just click on Service on the Intergroup website. Intergroup committees carry the message of recovery to the still-suffering alcoholic. Please help yourself and others. Sign up. Thank you. Hotline: Openings for Hotline shifts and for 12th Step volunteers. 12th Step volunteers talk to newcomers who have questions. Please note: The calls are screened by the answering service and forwarded to the volunteer's home phone; callers never see the home phone number of the volunteer. Cooperating with the Professional Community and Public Information: The two committees are working together to bring the message of recovery to the public and to the professional community healthcare, clergy, legal, educators, social workers, and others. For meeting details, send to: Subject Line CPC or PI. Bridging the Gap (BTG): provides a one-time temporary contact for people transitioning from a treatment center to AA meetings. BTG meets the third Monday of each month at 6:30 PM at the Portland Intergroup Office basement, located at 825 NE 20th Ave, Suite 200, Portland. "We Bridge the Gap so alcoholics leaving treatment don't have to walk alone across that scary gap between the beginning of recovery in treatment and the continued recovery in AA. Please contact the PAI office via phone, , or [email protected], if you are interested. Corrections: Our current focus is to carry the AA message to youths in the Multnomah County Detention Center. We need many volunteers to help bring AA meetings to the facility on a regular basis. Please contact the PAI office via phone, or [email protected], if you are interested. Website: The Website committee is looking for members. Please contact the PAI office via phone, or [email protected], if you are interested. Newsletter (Sobriety in Stumptown): The Newsletter committee is looking for members. Send an of interest to [email protected]. Events: The Events Committee needs a new Committee Chair. Send an to [email protected] with COMMITTEE CHAIR in the subject field. Become Published Submit your article, poem, or artwork to Sobriety in Stumptown. Share your message of experience, strength, and hope. You can write about your personal before and after AA stories, things that have inspired you in sobriety, a spiritual awakening, a lesson you ve learned in sobriety, or a piece on how the AA promises have manifested in your life. Just tell your story in your own words, written from your heart. Your message is 8

9 important, and just might save someone s life. Remember, this newsletter would not exist without your input. And being a published writer is fun! Visit the Portland Area Intergroup website, select the Newsletter icon, and send me a MS Word document. I am here to help. Please keep your story to around 800 words. And include your phone number or address in case I have questions. Deadline for articles in Sobriety in Stumptown is the end of each month. -In service, Jennifer L., editor, [email protected] Step Ten Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it. -Reprinted with permission of AA World Services, Inc. Tradition Ten Alcoholics Anonymous has no opinion on outside issues; hence the AA name ought never be drawn into public controversy. -Reprinted with permission of AA World Services, Inc. Serenity Prayer God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, courage to change the things I can, and wisdom to know the difference. -Reprinted with permission of AA World Services, Inc. 9