"Ron" <can@the.spam> wrote in message
news:aLnOb.76512$sv6.176491@attbi_s52...
> On Sun, 18 Jan 2004 13:33:24 +1000,
<snip>

> I don't know why I'm setting myself up for a lashing by the AA
faithful,
> but I must say, I'm a fair weather friend to AA. I take what I can
use,
> and leave the rest. I'm not looking for a sponsor; nor do I place
any
> stock in steps 2, 3, 6, 7, 11, or 12.

<snip>

Hi Ron,

At this time, I want to try and explain what Step 2 means to me.
Firstly, some background info

I believe that I speak the truth when I say that I have made serious
attempts to give up drinking only twice since I began to drink in the
late 1970's.

When I gave up drinking in the early 1990's, I thought that no-one
could help me with the life issues that were then deeply troubling me.
When I asked for help, sometimes I benefited for a short time from
what I received. However, at that time, I did not realise that what
I was doing was not addressing the underlying cause of my problems,
namely, my inability to accept life on it's terms. Inevitably, when
life again became too much for me to bear, I again sought escape from
it through booze.

When I gave up drinking in June 2003 and was deciding how to give
myself the best chance of never drinking again, I quickly became
convinced that relying only on myself was not a good idea. Why ?
Because I'd let myself down once before. I therefore decided to seek
help.

At that time, I could not bring myself to seek help through
face-to-face talking. When I found this NG it seemed like the answer
to my prayers. For a time it was all I relied on. When I found that I
needed more help than it could provide, I followed some of its members
advice and joined AA.

I have learnt very many valuable lessons since joining these two
groups. I've learnt that I have very little control over what happens
in my life and that if I want to live more at ease with myself I need
to always remember that I'm not able to make life always perfect for
me. I've also learnt that if I drink on account of being frustrated
or angered or example, by life, I am giving life a power over me that
could harm me, maybe even kill me.

When I think about Step 2, I think about this NG, my AA groups and my
Sponsor . Why ? Because I'm convinced that by having them on my side
and turning to them for help whenever I've needed to, I've found it
easier to stay sober. I'm also convinced that if it hadn't been for
the lessons I've learnt from them I would never be able to say today
that I see I've changed since this time last year in ways which I
consider to be changes for the better.

As you know, Step 2 says:

"Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves could restore us
to sanity".

At this time, I believe that this NG, AA, my Sponsor and my HP are
powers greater than myself. Why ? Because I'm convinced that their
collective wisdom has given me - and will continue to give me - the
additional strength I need to be able to not drink and also to be able
to cope with life. And when I don't drink and when I'm able to cope
with life, I have peace of mind. And when I have peace of mind, IMO,
this means that I am restored to sanity.
..
Best regards

JB