Dear Reader
Earlier in my journey, I thought it would be impossible to find the willingness to add certain people to my Step Eight list. My perception of harms done to me had clouded my judgement throughout my drinking years, only through Steps Four to Seven could I finally see my part in things. I really wanted to change, and it surprised me greatly to find that a willingness to forgive as well as make amends for my own behaviour had arrived by Step Eight. I was ready to include everybody, even my ex-husband! There are many people on my list whom it would be harmful for me to seek out, but they remain there because if my Higher Power places them in my path, I’m willing to take ownership of the harms I caused today. The impossible became possible through AA and today, my fear of people is vastly diminished. I’m grateful I no longer need to drink on my past; it is a freedom I value enormously.
It is incredible that AA remains a non-professional organisation, I am reminded by our literature that “…money and spirituality do not mix.” (12&12 p.166) The 12&12 usefully explains to me that Twelfth Step work should not be paid for, but paying special workers to enable Twelfth Step work to happen is necessary. Share magazine is no exception! This primary purpose tool would not be possible without AA employing special workers and I’m immensely grateful for their assistance. Recently, I’ve been studying the Traditions with a sponsee utilising the Traditions Checklist printed (for the relevant month) in each copy of Share. The questions have led to great discussions, I thoroughly recommend this – it has made us Think Think Think!
I often wonder how Share could be more widely available to new readers, to facilitate this I encourage intergroups and regions to take a regular subscription of several copies. With the centre pages removed, Share can be distributed to outside agencies in health, education, probation, employment…the possibilities are endless!