April 2021

Our theme this month brings back fond memories of my early days in sobriety. During my first few months a local member lent me the book ‘Living Sober’. He was very clear “I want it back mind,” but his kindness in lending me the book was not lost on me. I’m pleased I can include a short but important message from that book in this issue - ‘Keep an open mind’ and I wish I could go back and tell myself to do this straight away! Six months down the line I would understand, believe and trust all the things kind hearted members of AA told me. My stubbornness left me and I began to listen. The ability to keep an open mind is so important to me today so I don’t dismiss anything straight away. I package it up and pop it on a shelf until the time is right.

Roundabout is always eager to include articles from members with all lengths of sobriety and we especially welcome those new to the Fellowship. It is so important to hear newcomers tell us what it was like coming through the doors for the first time and for us to hear that it has not gotten any better out there. All articles are very important especially to those whose Roundabout really is ‘a meeting in print’ although contributors will probably never know who has been helped simply by reading a particular story.

Our April issue is packed full of examples of how to live sober once we’ve joined Alcoholics Anonymous and I certainly had more than the odd shudder of identification, followed by the knowledge that I am no longer that person. I can identify with the article on page 10 - the disinterest

in getting to know sober women in AA. My thoughts were filled with suspicion and judgement and a lot of fear. I’m pleased to say that now as a sober woman, some of my closest AA friends are women and I no longer fear or judge them.

Our interviewee this month gives an honest account of how she found her way to the rooms, the years of avoidance beforehand and the growth she has experienced since. I’m sure many of us have spent too much time criticising the curtains or similar at some point in a meeting!

Assistant Editor

 

Contents

2 Sub-Committee Notice Board - 2021 Themes
3 Editorial
4 Extract From AA Literature
6 The First Couple Of Years Of Sobriety
8 A Day In The Life Of This Alcoholic
9 Just A Wee Drunk
10 Making Contact
12 Extract from AA Literature
i-iv AA Conference Approved Books
13 The Roundabout Interview
16 I Am The Only Thing I Can Change
18 I Caught Myself Laughing
19 Congratulations From Across The Water
20 I Remember The Great Welcome
22 That Was The Week That Was
23 Subscribe To Roundabout