A Dozen Steps

Are You Co-Signing BS?

by Mark on May 8th, 2006

I’m not the shepherd of the flock, just a grateful, satisfied customer :-) who considers himself fortunate to have been walked into AA at the time and place where the right people were ready for me.

So many of you have not had the gift of knowing folks like Don H., Rob the Hat, Chiclets, Matt M., Irish Frank, Barney, Pat, and so, so many other long time oldtimers. They had passed it on to a wonderful, new group of people and it made for a recovery experience that I pray I’ll never forget.

Don H. used to drive a few people (including myself for a while) crazy when he’d say “AA has changed.” And, of course, he’d then share his experience about the differences in his time sober. Don was a direct descendent of the first 100 members. I believe when he passed a few years ago he had 53 years.

I came across something last night that I personally found right up my alley. Yo’ Joe at Recovery Times. Yes, these are always the opinion of one individual. In this case, I agree because of the folks that taught me for which I am grateful. On this page, there is a question relating to a topic at a meeting, a “bad” topic. From that, I’m led to the topic of this entry “Are You Co-Signing BS?”

I’ve seen it. I’ve done it, so I am not innocent. I’ve attempted to do it differently, have done it differently. I haven’t changed AA - LOL. Yet, I believe it is important to long-term recovery and a good life. Here’s what Joe said that I agree with;

“Strong members need to be heard in the rooms and when topics that have no basis in recovery are brought up need to steer the meeting towards recovery. Sitting passively by and letting a meeting drift while you know better is only signing off on that gross miscarriage of hate or anger.
In the opening of the meeting and in the readings that go before the meeting it’s always stated what the primary purpose is. That purpose needs to be fostered for the good of the group as well as the individual.

Please don’t sit quiet anymore. Be a loud voice and good member of recovery. No one needs to be a victim of someone else’s B.S.”

The Primary Purpose?

To stay sober and to help other other alcoholics to achieve sobriety.

A Sober, Clean Day To All,

Mark

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POSTED IN: Principles