Page 14 - AA NEWS NOVEMBER 2019

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tions. over the years. The one thing that I know is that by treating my bipolar disorder with medications and therapy, I was able to continue to progress with the AA steps, whereas before treatment I would continue to flounder in my recovery from alcoholism. Nowadays I take four medication for my bipolar disorder. I am very sensitive to the dosages so my doctor only makes small changes whenever he thinks it will be helpful. This past weekend (the weekend of August 17, 2019) I attended a Mental Health and AA Workshop. There were several speakers and it was very informative. Most of all I didn’t feel alone amongst my fellow alcoholics.
Chris B
Not infrequently (but certainly not infrequently enough!), as someone is reading the Promises, a member or members will repeat this word over and over. Does this practice of “chanting” during our readings offend anyone else? Or is it just me. Wow! Digression in the first paragraph, please forgive me as we get on to the topic for this month, “if we work for it.”
The word “work” has many meanings, but, at least in some instances, it has become a four-letter word – something unpleasant. An onerous task that must be done in order to achieve some goal, but the task, in and of itself, is not something we would choose to do were it not for that goal.
Being of unsound mind and deteriorating body, I no longer “work” for a living. By the grace of God, the 12 Steps,
and the Fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous, I have managed to survive on this planet long enough to retire twice and collect government checks which enable me to continue to live in the manner to which I have become accustomed (that would be sober!). Certainly, there were some days during those working years when I would just as soon have stayed in bed. But that was not my usual state of mind. Most days I was happy, even eager, to go to work. Often that was due to the personal relationships which had developed through the work experience. If I were unable to go to work, I wouldn’t get to be with my people! I would have been missing an important part of my life were I just handed a paycheck every two weeks and told, “You don’t need to come in anymore.”
How does all this apply to A.A.? We talk of “working the Steps”, doing “service work”, etc. I have always been put off by the A.A. adage, “If it isn’t inconvenient, it’s not service.” It is as if some part of the experience must be unpleasant in order for it to be proper service work!
At least once a month, early on a Saturday morning, I meet some other H&I members at San Diego Central Office, and we drive for two plus hours to Calipatria State Prison in Imperial County. There, throughout the day, we attend four A.A. meetings with inmates who are most grateful that we have made the attempt to carry the message to them. Driving back, we savor the “high” which comes from this kind of service.
Would it have been more “convenient” if that prison were located next door to my house? Certainly, but I’m not sure how my NIMBY neighbors would feel about it! The
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WORK...WORK...WORK