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Welcome to the AA Beginners Group 'Learn How To Stop Drinking Permanently' Copy and paste in chat box. Stay connected: http://aabeginners.com (workshops) http://1939aa.com (book study) aabeginnersgroup@gmail.com Frank E. 734-775-0094 Dave C. 313-551-9453 Today's agenda: http://www.aabeginners.com/grouper/agenda.html Join me in a moment of silence for those who are affected with alcoholism...
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Can you answer the following questions?
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AA 1st Ed p.39, 2nd,3rd Ed p.291-2 & 4th Ed p.262-3, 5th paragraph, line 1 A small portion of the story, HE SOLD HIMSELF SHORT I stayed in Akron two or three weeks on my initial trip trying to absorb as much of the program and philosophy as possible. I spent a great deal of time with Dr. Bob, whenever he had the time to spare, and in the homes of two or three other people, trying to see how the family lived the program. Every evening we would meet at the home of one of the members and have coffee and doughnuts and spend a social evening. The day before I was due to go back to Chicago, it was Dr. Bob's afternoon off, he had me to the office and we spent three or four hours formally going through the Six-Step program as it was at that time. The six steps were: 1. Complete deflation. 2. Dependence and guidance from a Higher Power. 3. Moral inventory. 4. Confession. 5. Restitution. 6. Continued work with other alcoholics. Dr. Bob led me through all of these steps. At the moral inventory, he brought up several of my bad personality traits or character defects, such as We went over these at great length, and then he finally asked me if I wanted these defects of character removed. When I said yes, we both knelt at his desk and prayed, each of us asking to have these defects taken away. This picture is still vivid. If I live to be a hundred, it will always stand out in my mind. It was very impressive, and I wish that every A.A. could have the benefit of this type of sponsorship today. Dr. Bob always emphasized the religious angle very strongly, and I think it helped. I know it helped me. Dr. Bob then led me through the restitution step, in which I made a list of all of the persons I had harmed and worked out the ways and the means of slowly making restitution. Several takeaways from this example:
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AA 1st Ed p.30, 2nd, 3rd & 4th Ed p.20 We have recovered from a hopeless condition of mind and body. If you are an alcoholic who wants to get over it, you may already be asking - What do I have to do? It is the purpose of this book to answer such questions specifically. Step 1. We admitted we were powerless over alcohol - that our lives had become unmanageable. AA 1st Ed p.34, 2nd, 3rd & 4th Ed p.24 The fact is that most alcoholics, for reasons yet obscure, have lost the power of choice in drink. Our so-called will power becomes practically nonexistent. We are unable, at certain times, to bring into our consciousness with sufficient force the memory of the suffering and humiliation of even a week or a month ago. We are without defense against the first drink. AA 1st Ed p.45-46, 2nd, 3rd & 4th Ed p.34 This is the baffling feature of alcoholism as we know it, this inability to leave it alone, no matter how great the necessity or the wish. AA 1st Ed p.41, 2nd, 3rd & 4th Ed p.30 We learned that we had to fully concede to our innermost selves that we were alcoholics. This is the first step in recovery. We alcoholics are men and women who have lost the ability to control our drinking. We know that no real alcoholic ever recovers control. AA 1st Ed p.56, 2nd, 3rd & 4th Ed p.44 If, when you honestly want to, you find you cannot quit entirely, or if when drinking, you have little control over the amount you take, you are probably alcoholic. If that be the case, you may be suffering from an illness which only a spiritual experience will conquer. AA 1st Ed p.57, 2nd, 3rd & 4th Ed p.45 Lack of power, that was our dilemma. We had to find a power by which we could live, and it had to be a Power greater than ourselves. Obviously. But where and how were we to find this Power? Well, thats exactly what this book is about. Its main object is to enable you to find a Power greater than yourself which will solve your problem. AA 1st Ed p.21-22, 2nd, 3rd & 4th Ed p.12 My friend suggested what then seemed a novel idea. He said, Why don't you choose your own conception of God? It was only a matter of being willing to believe in a Power greater than myself. Nothing more was required of me to make my beginning. AA 1st Ed p.71, 2nd, 3rd & 4th Ed p.59 But there is One who has all power, that One is God. May you find him now! |
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AA 1st Ed p.6, 2nd, 3rd & 4th Ed p.xxv (The Doctor's Opinion) ...the phenomenon of craving at once became paramount to all other interests so that the important appointment was not met. These men were not drinking to escape, they were drinking to overcome a craving beyond their mental control. AA 1st Ed p.46, 2nd, 3rd & 4th Ed p.35 So we shall describe some of the mental states that precede a relapse into drinking, for obviously this is the crux of the problem. AA 1st Ed p.48, 2nd, 3rd & 4th Ed p.37 But there was always the curious mental phenomenon that parallel with our sound reasoning there inevitably ran some insanely trivial excuse for taking the first drink. Our sound reasoning failed to hold us in check. How do we get past this? AA 1st Ed p.55, 2nd, 3rd & 4th Ed p. 43 The alcoholic at certain times has no effective mental defense against the first drink. Except in few rare cases, neither he nor any other human being can provide such a defense. His defense must come from a Higher Power. AA 1st Ed p.72, 2nd, 3rd & 4th Ed p.60 (a) That we were alcoholic and could not manage our own lives. (step 1) (b) That probably no human power could have relieved our alcoholism. (step 2) (c) That God could and would if He were sought. (step 2) AA 1st Ed p.69, 2nd, 3rd & 4th Ed p.57 Even so has God restored us all to our right minds. Some of us grow into it more slowly. But He has come to all who have honestly sought Him. When we drew near to Him He disclosed Himself to us! AA 1st Ed p.54, 2nd, 3rd & 4th Ed p.42 Quite as important was the discovery that spiritual principles would solve all my problems. |
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over to the care of God as we understood him. AA 1st Ed p.72, 2nd, 3rd & 4th Ed p.60 The first requirement is that we be convinced that any life run on self-will can hardly be a success. AA 1st Ed p.74-75, 2nd, 3rd & 4th Ed p.62 Selfishness - self-centeredness! That, we think, is the root of our troubles. Driven by a hundred forms of
This is the how and the why of it. First of all, we had to quit playing God. It didn't work. AA 1st Ed p.75, 2nd, 3rd & 4th Ed p.63 We decided that hereafter in this drama of life, God was going to be our Director.
When we sincerely take such a position, all sorts of remarkable things follow.
We thought well before taking this step making sure that we were ready; that we could abandon ourselves utterly to Him. Who wants to say this 3rd Step Prayer right now? One at a time, who is first? God, I offer myself to Thee, to build with me and do with me as Thou wilt. Relieve me of the bondage of self, that I may better do Thy will. Take away my difficulties, that victory over them may bear witness to those I would help of Thy Power, Thy Love, and Thy Way of Life. May I do Thy will always! |
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Due by Tomorrow, Saturday's Meeting. Write these words down. They'll be posted in the chat box. Write the name of a person whom you hurt with that defect. #1 instruction is YOUR NAME doesn't go on this list. #2 Try not to repeat names if possible.
Bring Paper and a Pen. 4th Step - Click Here Do you have any questions? |
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