Every Bottom Has A Trap Door
That doesn’t need to be opened!
If, please note - if, you have the same disease I have, called alcoholism, and your experience approaches mine, you’ll not succeed at recovery unless you can “make the admission of hopelessness.” (pg. 23 12&12 - first step)
We are “victims of a mental obsession so subtly powerful that no amount of human willpower could break it.” (from the previous page)
I’m not sure I like the use of the word “victim.” As my friend Paul puts it - I volunteered. I agree. Each time alcohol entered me, I issued the “invitation.”
At any rate, know that alcoholism is a progressive and often fatal disease. If you have it too, it will only get worse if you continue to consume alcohol. I certainly believe that this thought/principle no doubt applies to any other disease these Twelve Steps now relate to… a cunning, baffling foe.
You won’t see it in our literature, its not there. It comes from the collective experience of those that came before us.
Every bottom has a trap door.
For many years, those who were here early on had the opportunity to observe folks like we see today, come and go, come and go, come and go. Many didn’t return.
They listened to their sharing, those who were able to return - how it only got worse and worse. The revelation surely wasn’t rocket science.
So, while you’re “out there” today at whatever Super Bowl party you’re at, remember who and what you are and bring your phone numbers with you. Don’t forget that your bottom could be worse. Don’t attempt to write a new, lower chapter to your story, please.
Tags: 1st-step, alcoholics-anonymous, quitting-drinking, super-bowlRelated Stories
POSTED IN: The 12 Steps
9 opinions for Every Bottom Has A Trap Door
dAAve
Feb 5, 2007 at 5:02 am
LOL
I watched most of the game at home, by myself, without alcohol. When the game began, however, I was at a Board meeting of the AA center I attend. I am the secretary.
Priorities, I guess.
Mike P
Feb 5, 2007 at 9:18 am
I went to a meeting last nite and did not stay at home as I thought I should due to the fact it was about -5* outside but this day last year I lost My brother Steve P just at the kick off last year, and this year I’m still sober. Steve was one of these larger than life guys who worked hard and played hard as we all did and for me that was my battle cry every weekend. Steve was 46 when he went home. Back in 91 he came to a meeting with me and that was the last time he would step foot in the rooms. From then on I watched him stop drinking, slow down drinking, swear off drinking. A year ago today I stayed in the hospice all day with Steve praying to God to take him home. I was given the opportunity to tell my brother how grateful I was he was my brother and how much I Love him. I held his hand and stroked his arm and told stories of when we where boys growing up together. Steve would always be there for ya no matter what. Like most of us he was a great guy sober. I prayed over Steve hour after hour that day not knowing what moment was going to be his last not leaving for fear of him going. I finally had to leave that day and by the time I got from Farmingdale to Wading River he had gone. Guess my point of this is to say that had I not been sober and stayed sober one day at a time, not looking for that trap door, I never would have been given this gift that was my brother’s last day here. Today at the moment of silence at the meetings I invite my brother to take the seat next to me and I say don’t compare try to identify.
Thank You all for letting me get this out. please pray for my Brother just for today.
Mark
Feb 5, 2007 at 10:24 am
Wow, my friend - that is one truly powerful testimonial and I have never seen anything approaching those emotions from you, even last year.
It damn well works if you work it, doesn’t it!
Well done Mike P. Oh, no fear - Steve is most definitely with us, count on it!
Mike P
Feb 5, 2007 at 5:42 pm
Thanks Mark . Spent most of the day at Shrine ,and hopefully go speak where I spoke a year ago St Anthony’s on Tuesday 10am ,
Please give me a call theres more to this then I can get into with a key pad , the wonders of ol time AA at work in Wading River
Mark
Feb 5, 2007 at 8:49 pm
I’ll have to find another time to call ya’ man… workin’ the next few days. I’ll try Friday.
I have a new intro when I speak now lol - “if you’re a member of PC AA or a member of new age AA, you’re gonna hate tonight’s speaker.”
:)
Mike P
Feb 6, 2007 at 7:22 am
if they ever let ya get the chance?
Mark
Feb 6, 2007 at 7:46 am
Well, believe it or not;
Last week at George B’s anniversary at the 5:30,
The 17th at the Bridges in Louisville,
and - get this!!!
Some Friday soon for Bill’s second first (Jarhead Bill remember?) at (this oughtta floor ya’) the White Bluff Group!
WooHoo!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
LMFAO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Mike P
Feb 6, 2007 at 9:37 am
wow work it brother work it!!!!!!!!
TK
Feb 6, 2007 at 9:38 pm
Heheheh… I know what you mean about being invited to be an alcoholic. I wish there were a test people could take, like you can to detect diabetes.
T.K.
My blog: http://www.sobertoday.org
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