CapeCodToday Blog Chowder

Poor Tatum - her first response was the she was doing "research for a movie" - RIGHT, Tatum have another one. Scary when someone in the public associates them self with AA. This is why AA is an anonymous program- ! Good article.

Danny -
I am a little slow these days....Are you being sarcastic in your response to Karen? - I think you are, not sure...
It sounds like in previous writings that you are a big fan of AA - just started reading your articles. If so LMAO as well Ally

PS I also got sober in NY - Westchester though - hit some uptown 79th street and mustard seed -

I don't know where the communication gap is here -
I too have problem that only a spiritual awakening can conquer but, I need to go to meetings. The meetings are where I meet alcoholics who still suffer and need help. So I need meetings too b/c I need to help others. Then I can too have "meetings outside of meetings." When I say for me. I am only talking about what works for me, as I can not talk about someone else's experience. I know it is a WE program as mentioned in the first step and yes. I rely on God every minute of every day. I am a Miracle.... We are miracles. It is no way a Me program - Keep it Simple Danny

Of course I know that sobriety is contingent upon a spiritual awakening - My point was , similar to your post, exactly that, one can not get sober without a spiritual awakening. "You alone can do it, but you can not do it alone" For me there is nothing more powerful than AA and a group of drunks. So you can have 10 spiritual awakenings but, FOR ME I need to go to meetings and become an Active member of AA. I love AA - it saved my life.
"The feeling of having shared a common peril is one element in the powerful cement that binds us. But that in itself would never held us together as we are now joined." - There is a Solution.

PS - Karen
As far as Will Power, anyone can stop and be miserable but allowing your will to mesh with God's. that is a wonderful thing. Self control got me drunk and will get me drunk again. Keep coming
Ally

Unfortunately, Ebby went out and drank again b/c he relied on the Oxford group not AA - he said "I got Religion" Isn't that right? At least Bill was able to see a difference in him and step up to the plate! or we wouldn't be here today?

After being in a few rehabs and other so called "12 Step" Programs - The only way I could get sober was plunging into AA and helping someone else. If you ever feel like drinking, pick up the phone and call a newcomer. Get out of your SELF!! The biggest thing that this program taught me. Excellent post! Ally

You are right AGAIN - I did skip those pages but, being the Big Book thumper that you are, I should have known that you would notice that! I try to work with as many other alcoholics as I can - got to give away to keep it!! Ally

Got you! I agree with putting the cart before the horse. -What I mean is that I have no problem in life that can be solved with a spiritual solution. I have been reading 83-88 and 98-100 everyday in BB. I do think that it is an excellent plan for life. I think you now, that the whole point is to have a spiritual awakening so we can be of use to others and we can't be of use to others if we aren't right with ourselves. I love the Big Book but, I am not a thumper - I really enjoy your articles. Ally

Understand where you are coming from - feel too that all my answers to MY recovery are in the BIG BOOK of Alcoholics Anonymous. I have been one of those people with mediocre sobriety, still yelling at my husband and my child all the time and chose to dive into the Big Book and re-assess my quality of life. Everyone goes through different phases in sobriety and there is quite a library for sober people, to include Emmett Fox's Sermon on the Mount.
At my sobriety now I try to live the 12 steps as outlined in the Big Book with the help of God and a Sponsor. However, I do think that the "only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking" and some people get it while others never will. No one needs to judge someone else's quality of sobriety - Only your own. TY for pointing out that I need to watch for settling and "resting on my laurels".Ally