Dear Reader
I was terrified of Step Five as a newcomer, I was planning to avoid this element of the Programme completely. Later, I was taught, “If we skip this vital step, we may not overcome drinking.” (BB p.72) I believe this wholeheartedly today. After two days admitting my wrongs to myself, my sponsor, and HP, I felt relief that I was no longer bottling up the years of shameful behaviour and reliving it all alone. There were tears, revelations and pain, but no judgement. She explained that ‘secrets keep us sick’ and gave me hope and confidence that I could change in the forthcoming Steps. She was right, it worked! I’ve been privileged to take others through Step Five and often light a candle while we are speaking. It symbolises the presence of a Higher Power to me, and the words can be taken by the candle’s smoke. I hope it helps sponsees to feel less afraid and more connected to a spiritual strength.
I must remember that I only found AA because someone carried the message to me. Over the years I’ve seen the message carried in meetings by sharing ESH, service, sponsorship, the giving of chips, leaflets and literature, the meetings before and after the meeting and, of course, through Share magazine. Although I confess to being somewhat biased, I believe Share should be available at all meetings, it is a primary purpose tool filled to the brim with ‘AA message’. If your meeting doesn’t subscribe, please do encourage this, it could save someone’s life. Donating old copies of Share to your group, to a newcomer or to the prison service (minus centre pages) is another great way to pass the message on, they never go out of date! As an imperfect human, I can be easily distracted in meetings by issues that don’t affect the message, sometimes I’ve been quite animated until a wise voice of reason in the Room remarks, “Will it help anyone stay sober?” Note to self: less soapbox, more primary purpose!
