EDITORIAL - SEPTEMBER 2019

Audio Version

Dear Reader

Welcome to our September issue, this ninth month taking our thoughts to making amends to those we have harmed except where to do so may cause further damage. The steadying hand of our sponsor can give us essential guidance on this often tricky issue. Using the opportunity to talk through the actions we are considering makes good sense. Our sponsor has been there already and can pass on their own experiences on this vital step.

Now, another topic. The mobile phone has done much to improve our lives and made communication available to all of us. Use of the phone between members of AA has always been a vital tool, that ability to talk to another member of our Fellowship, a talk which can often change negative, head spinning thinking or the mad desire to drink into more positive thoughts in just a few minutes.

But the moment we arrive at our AA meeting is special AA time. A time to talk face to face with our Fellow AA's. Meeting time is the opportunity to look our Fellows in the eye, to listen, talk, share, laugh, cry and offer help. But too often I see people looking at their phones before a meeting or during the break. Looking at a phone can be a way avoid conversation but shyness and fear can make this worse. But this is the very time we should talk to each other. In AA we have that special opportunity to talk in a safe environment. An environment where people do not judge each other, where people are prepared to give their time and listen. There is something quite special and unique that happens when two AA members talk to each other face to face. Don't waste those precious moments.