Continued from last week:
5. Ability to follow directions
In carrying our message into treatment facilities, our personal will is subject to authority in at least two ways:
Frist, the ultimate authority for Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) work is, of course, a loving God as He may express Himself in the group conscience.
Sometimes, for the good of AA and for the good of those we are trying to help, we as individuals have to do things differently from the way we might ourselves like.
Second, the professional treatment facility is in charge of its patients or clients and is responsible for them.
If AA members do not conform to the rules and regulations of the facility, they may not be asked to return.
So, carrying the message into such places calls for patience and self-discipline, keeping in mind that we need not compromise our traditions.
6. Dependability
Once an AA commitment is made to any institution or organisation, we cannot let our fellowship down by not living up to the agreement fully.
We go to any lengths to preform faithfully the services promised in the name of AA. We try not to let anything interfere with keeping our word.
What people think of AA depends on us. If we are reliable, then AA seems so. If we are not, it makes AA look bad.
Since AA’s public relations policy is based on attraction, not promotion that leaves it up to each of us to reflect the attractiveness of the AA way of life.
7. Broad knowledge of AA
Members who have been to meetings in only one or two AA groups in one community may not have a broad acquaintance with our fellowship.
To be the best possible message-carrier, try to visit other local groups. In addition, a thorough knowledge of AA literature and material will be beneficial in carrying our message.
The deeper and broader our understanding of all aspects of our Fellowship (including all three of our Legacies: Recovery, Unity, and Service), the more we have to offer the troubled newcomer.
8. Ability to stick to our own business
Carrying the message to alcoholics in treatment facilities can challenge our ability to keep focused on AA’s primary purpose, which is “to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety.”
We are not in business of educating non-alcoholics about alcoholism, religion, medicine, or anything else.
The AA message is carried by sharing our experience, strength and hope. We have no business criticising any professional agency or person, or telling them how to treat or not to treat alcoholics.
Those are not AA purposes.
We have the personal experience of alcoholism, which we now share, along with what we have learned about recovery.
Our suffering and the recovery we now enjoy can give valuable hope to other still-suffering alcoholics.
More than that giving it away, without any thought or reward, strengthens our own sobriety.
The AA Estcourt branch hosts meetings every Tuesday at Forderville Primary School from 7pm to 8pm. Contact Desigan on 082 849 3014.
