AA Sponsors - AA Meetings Online

Testing TwitterFeed Here

2009-07-22T11:48:16-07:00

Testing my new twitter feed service, to see if this updates my feed on Twitter. I think Twitter is going to be a huge source of support to the sober communities rising up on the Internet.

Did you go to Rehab? Please tell us your story of rehab and how it worked for you.

2009-06-19T11:37:16-07:00

There's a new online community that helps people in recovery, or people just getting out of rehab, to make connections with other sober people online. If you went into rehab, we want to hear your story. If we use the story, we will publish it so it will hopefully help others who are considering doing the same. Please remember that anonymity is very important to you and others as you are telling your story. Please mention the name of the rehab center, but not anyone elses name, unless you wish to give your name.

Great Online Community for Sponsors and Newcomers

2009-06-11T08:31:44-07:00

Join our new online community for newcomers to AA and AA Sponsors. Join us if you have a desire to stay sober or to be an online sponsor. This is service work only. Please do not solicit. If you have a (recovery related) business however, you can promote it on your personal profile page

Sounding Off: "I'm Working a Selfish Program"

2009-05-30T16:36:37-07:00

I was at my usual AA meeting this morning, the same meeting I go to every single day. I love this meeting, but like any group you may belong to, you may have varied opinions on certain topics. Old Timers are understandably more rigid toward doing things like when they were new, 20 plus some years ago. "When I was a newcomer, they made me do this or do that". Today's youth can be turned off to that approach, for better or worse. I'm somewhere in between.

I want to sound off about something you will hear alot in the rooms; "I need to work a selfish program". The issue I have with that is that it implies something that we should do that will help us keep sober. Now, I know what everyone means, or trying to mean. That sobriety is the first priority, and working the program, going to meetings, working the steps and fellowship must always be at the forefront of our mind and actions. I'm not a big fan of this term because I hear new and old timers alike use it as a way to shrug off job responsibilities, family stuff, etc... I personally encourage my sponsees to spend time with their family unless its a bad unhealthy situation. To give their employer a fair days work, even if they think they're underpaid. Alcoholics can easily say they are working a selfish program and give themselves a built in excuse to make up b.s. to get out of things. Give alcoholics an inch, and they'll take a mile. Not all, but its a general statement that seems pretty standard.

Another thing I noticed is that some people will say I must stop giving so much of myself, and do more for me. I'm sorry, but that is selfishness, and a character defect to boot. If you're not giving freely of yourself then when you give, you will always feel not appreciated. This is where we ask God to bless our heart with a service heart and mind, and trudge away, or don't do it at all. But don't lie about it, just be honest. I don't want to help move you because I'm going to spend some time with my two dogs. Sometimes you do something but you don't have to like it, but just accept it, especially if its for someone that would do the same for you. If you do service any other way, you'll always have strings attached, and that is called being selfish.

Great Tool for Online Support @ Twitter!

2009-05-12T09:02:21-07:00

Twitter is all the craze right now, and if your in recovery and are not using Twitter, you are probably missing out. Check it out and click this link: Follow Me

AA Chat Rooms: Please contribute your favorite AA Chat Room

2008-07-19T05:58:02-07:00

I went into Google looking for some good AA Chat rooms and didn't find very many. Does anybody know where there is some...some good AA Chat rooms? I think chat is so embedded in our culture now, all be it a scary fact, that we can't ignore this technology and need to find ways to use it and implement it properly. If you know of any good AA chat rooms, one's we can link up with, let us know please.

Going into a slippery place? Get some spiritual insulation first

2008-07-13T11:41:08-07:00

Everyone in recovery has to eventually face up to the fact that, from time to time, you're going to encounter a slippery situation, or go into a place where there is drinking going on. A family reunion or a work related party, are a few examples. The rule of thumb early in recovery is if you're afraid that you're going to drink, then either don't go, or take someone from the program at the very least.

Here's a short list of things you can do:

1. Take god in with you. Say a prayer in the bathroom or in the car before you even go in. Ask God to keep you sober.
2. Take in a meeting that day.
3. Ask someone in the program to go with you.
4. Ask your sponsor if he/she thinks its a good idea.
5. Be aware that if you start to feel uncomfortable, you can always leave.

What's after the 12 Steps? Work the Triangle!

2008-07-05T05:43:18-07:00

I've personally experienced the great feeling of working the 12 steps of alcoholics Anonymous, and the feeling of contentment that you can get. Eventually I got to the point that I wanted more of that, but simply going to meetings alone is not enough...not if you're like me and you want MORE. Sponsoring, Fellowship and Service is what helps me continue to grow and mature into my rightful plan in Gods world. The triangle says it all, doesn't it? Recovery, Unity, and Service. A triangle is three equal sides. If you're looking for balance, you're not going to get more balanced then that. Unity is fellowship, meeting people after the meeting for coffee or to grab something to eat. Going out to dinner on a Friday or Saturday night is great because we used to go out and get crazy on those nights. Recovery is the meetings, and working the steps and Service is chairing meetings, making coffee or answering the AA hot line, things like that. Sponsoring is a little of all three, but not a replacement...more of an honor to serve as Gods channel.

An Online AA Sponsor is another tool for the Spiritual Toolbox

2008-06-25T12:11:51-07:00

Lets face it, the Internet is here to stay and you can make a god connection anywhere, right? I've found in a work evironment, that after you make the adjustment, you can inspire and encourage people. Who knows, maybe even better. I know some very smart people who only communicate this way because its what they feel most comfortable with. So why not AA? I think the future of sponsoring, will include online communication, and it might even end up being the preferred way to sponsor or be sponsored, by some people. I'm not sure early in sobriety, that its ideal. In fact, my instincts are that it is not. You don't want to encourage isolation, but in terms of a "tool", it could prove to be a very powerful way to reach and influence more people.

SOBER UP. LOCKED UP. COVERED UP.

2008-06-22T08:30:40-07:00

The big book of AA tells us that we as alcoholics get three choices, and only 3:

We can: Sober up, get Locked up, or Covered up.

This is a potentially fatal disease if left untreated. If your Dr. diagnosied you with a terminal illness, and gave you no hope of survival if left untreated....most of us would seek treatment. What if that treatment was going to meetings, working with others, and working on yourself.....and you don't have to lose your hair.

I imagine the 22 yr old guy who was just sentenced to 26 yrs for killing two people driving in a blackout....what he would give for the freedom to go to meetings, work with others, read the big book, and not be in prison.

Today, you still have a choice. Rarely have we seen a person fail, who has thouroughly followed our path.

Animals get drunk too!!

2008-06-18T08:22:50-07:00

I did find this much more funny than the humans. Probably because I am one...human? or animal? Actually I'm probably both. Yes, definitely, both :)) Enjoy!

What is a Character Defect vs. a Shortcoming, Steps 6 and 7

2008-06-15T08:46:46-07:00

Alcoholics Anonymous 12 steps, and the confusion between the 6th step and 7th step: Step 6 is...."Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character" simply means that we are ready for step 7, and ready for God to remove those things he (we) finds objectionable. Shortcoming and Character defects are essentially meaning the same thing except step 6 is being "ready", and step 7 is asking for him (God) to remove those difficulties through the 7th step prayer. The two different phrases, makes it sometimes confusing; (character defects and shortcomings).

Note: Step 5, 6 and 7 should preferably be done in succession, although sometimes a long 4th step, means a 5th step that can last 5 or 6 hours or more, which should be split up if either party gets tired or loses their attention (connection).

I'm glad they didn't have Youtube when I was out there!

2008-06-15T08:25:26-07:00

This video is hilarious!

Scouting out New Meeting Room for My Home Group

2008-06-12T12:19:10-07:00

correction to the video - parking is about 150 yeards away....

My View of the 12 Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous and Why it Works

2008-05-15T09:06:33-07:00

The vast majority of alcoholics that I have met with (there are exceptions), have been thrown off their spiritual center (knowing intuitively, how to consistently do the right thing), from an fairly early age. I include myself in this regard. Experiences, especially as a child can work to warp a persons perception of the world, to the extent that a human's natural instinct to fight or flight, is thrown out of balance, fueled by a hundred forms of fear. To escape the fear, many coping mechanisms come into play, including alcohol and drug abuse. Over time, a life fueled by this type of emotions will eventually accumulate plenty of wreckage (hurt or destroyed relationships, and the results coming from failing to meet lifes responsibilities), and that is where the 12 steps of alcoholics anonymous can get a person on a positive life track. Its basically agreeing to work with god and another human being to set things straight from the past and have the willingness to look at your faults and shortcomings, so causes and conditions can be uncovered and a new life can commence without repeating the same behaviors that caused you to want to escape in the first place. By default, starting on this path seems to lift the very obsession that has doomed millions. A decision to stop drinking is not enough once you cross a certain line in the disease of alcoholism. There must be a decision to do something about it and a willingness to accept the fact that when it comes to alcohol, you have no ability to control your drinking, and in fact you are powerless once you start.

The most important absolutes you can rely on with AA, if you think you might be an alcoholic:

If you go to AA meetings, you will feel much better. There are people that have gone through the same things you have, and you won't be judged.
Your life will get better. You will fit into this world and be a positive force and a great power of example for others.
You will know a new freedom and new happiness that will be manifested inside you.

Join the AA Sponsor Community

2008-04-12T15:22:43-07:00

You'll notice a widget in the right column for our AA Sponsorship community. Please join share you experience, strength and hope!

Peaceful Warriors: This is a must see for everyone

2008-03-16T10:38:42-07:00

If you get the chance, you must go out to Blockbuster and rent; 'Peaceful Warriors'. Its a movie with Nick Nolte who plays his part very well in this inspiring and enlightning movie. The movie is based on a true story and if you're someone who either has problems with the whole God thing, or not, should equally be a benefit. It's main message is to live for the moment, and that no moment is ordinary. If you take the time and treat each minute as something special to experience, you will find happiness. This means living for the moment and letting go your attachments of material things along with the fear and ego that is associated with them. Once you let go of these things, your life will have meaning. Does this mean you will not have material things. No, it simply means that you will appreciate them more when you have them. If you lose them, your life does not change inside of yourself. To start, you must empty your head of thoughts that go nowhere.

How much time do you spend dwelling on things that no amount of thought will help or enable you to control? Don't worry, be happy. Literally. But don't hide or escape, just know that you don't know anything, and realize that a guiding force is there to help you if you stop worrying. Cool movie, you'll see what I mean.

Is relapse part of recovery?

2008-02-21T18:33:07-07:00

"Relapse is a part of recovery", or; "You can't have recovery without relapse" I've heard this concept quite a bit, mostly coming from people who relapse. Although its not exactly "AA" to question anything "AA", that is what a blog is all about, in my opinion. My story includes 5 or 6 relapses, usually after about a day or a week of binge drinking, before getting back to the business of getting sober. I don't know if relapse is part of the plan, but I do think that sometimes, because of my hard head, I'm most likely going to learn the hard way....beat into a state of reasonableness, if you will. If it makes you feel better, think of it as many paths to the same goal. There are easier paths to take, and one's that are much safer. Lets say you are walking along a path in the woods and you come upon a fork in the road. In front of this fork is two bridges, one is nice and steady looking but about 1/4 mile further than the other one that is right in front of you. The one closest is a rickety older bridge that seems to be swaying in the wind, and not very safe. An alcoholic that is not vigilant sees both bridges basically the same. Make sense?

AAsponsor.tv needs contributors

2008-02-15T06:27:23-07:00

If anybody would like to help me build this site and make a difference, click on contributor, fill out form and I'll be in touch.

12 Step Guide: Step 1

2008-02-03T06:16:13-07:00

The 12 steps of Alcoholics Anonymous is a process. Its my experience and from what I've witnessed, the process you go through while working the 12 steps, has the potential to change your life forever. If you are thoroughly honest with yourself and god and another human being, you will be amazed before you are half way through. Everyone has probably experienced the feeling of extreme pressure, the weight of the world on you shoulder. The way to lift the enormous pressure and potentially even the obsession for escape into alcohol or some other destructive thing, is to first admit that you're powerless over this thing (alcohol), and that your life has become unmanageable by this thing.

Step 1 : Admitting that you are powerless over alcohol and that your life has become unmanageable.

Directions:

Read the Doctors Opinion in the big book and Bill Story, then purchase the 12 steps and 12 traditions and read step 1.

Go back to Doctors Opinion and start reading again, then highlight what you relate to, and underline what you don't understand or can't relate to. Do the same in Bills Story. After you complete it, get someone familiar with the Big Book to help you, preferably someone that is currently sponsoring other alcoholics.

Then write out your experience and feelings of "powerlessness" and helplessness starting with the first time you blacked out, or got a DUI, or got that suddent realization that "hey, this isn't fun anymore"...then that feeling that you should stop, but can't...write all that out leading up to this current moment...summarize on 1 or 2 pages of paper.

You might ask.."why Dale"?

Over time, memories can fade, but in this time of reflection and huge remorse, you will be able to remember. This is an opportunity to record it, write it, journal it. For whatever reason, putting it to paper, taking that action, will make it more real, and therefore easier to remember later when you need it, to follow the drink through when the urge for alcohol returns. If you have already been directed to do this in rehab, or in intensive outpatient, that's ok, do it again.

Now read through and to the end of chapter 3, "More about Alcoholism" and stop there (before "We Agnostics), and repeat the instructions about highlighting what you relate to and underline what you don't.

God Bless and if you want you can email me at moguling@gmail.com to talk in private if you need help.