Alcoholics Anonymous is not for people who need it; it’s not for people who want it; it’s for people who do it.*

Some days I need it; some days I want it; and some days I do it.

When I speak, I speak to all peoples; not just alcoholics. I could speak at a political rally. I could speak at a church. And yes, I could speak in a meeting f Alcoholics Anonymous.

For some people Alcoholics Anonymous is a step down; For others it’s a step up; And for others, it’s simply a way through.

Then I did volunteer work at our local treatment center for chemical dependency, I noticed the patients we often distracted by complaints about food, space, attitude of techs, the lack of individual care given the enormous cost being charged them. IT WAS THEN THAT I HAD THAT MOMENT OF CLARITY LOOKING BACK ON MY OWN RECOVERY THAT -AN ALCOHOLIC WILL:

•Use anything to avoid looking at themselves

•Once we stop drinking, we often switch addictions; relationships, blame, work…

•Alcoholics can die of other things besides alcohol you know

•While you can, take full advantage of the opportunities afforded you to get better

*I will go ahead and say that whatever your reason come whatever you’re yesterday frame of mind for that day…. Whatever gets you in the rooms, whatever keeps you in the rooms -is fair game.

“God does not make too hard a terms with those who seek Him”.

Bill Wilson, in much of the literature; speaks of character building; of becoming better human-beings; of growing in the likeness of our creator; of having the best possible relationships with others; of spiritual growth on a daily basis throughout the life cycle; of the necessity for constant growth if we are to maintain** sober, happy, productive lives.

**Maintenance has never been one of my strong points. In fact, I’m the kind of guy that dusts about once a year. They say Bill Wilson too was legendary for his lack of enthusiasm when it came to domestic chores.

What if the country you lived in had no AA meetings? God! God! God! God knows the difference between a person who willfully refuses to participate in their own recovery, and a person who is restricted or limited

Alcohol took precedence over the things in my life, the people in my life I loved dearly! When we come to recovery -we are granted a second chance at life. Life is for living!

Get busy livin’ -or get busy with dyin’.

For some people, too much freedom is the worst thing that could happen to them.

Everything is permitted -but not all things are beneficial.

You know, if you can’t be happy living in this country… we have the freedom, the opportunity, and many thousands and thousands of things we can enjoy and participate in. In some countries there are soldiers on every corner… people cannot make a move without… 🤷‍♂️🤷‍♀️

Not dyin’ is not the same thing as livin’!

For many years in my recovery I thought of success in terms of not screwing up. I thought of happiness in terms of not screwing up. But this is only half the formula for success, for happiness…