Akron InterGroup News December, 2019 75¢ Honesty ⬧ Purity ⬧ Unselfishness ⬧ Love Volume 66 Publishing Since November 1954 Issue 2 Serving Holmes, Medina, Portage, Summit, Wayne Counties Step Twelve A Spirit of A Different Kind Having had a spiritual Miranda W, Language of the Heart awakening as the result of these steps, Christmas Eve 2017, I went to my today was different. Today I was faced with we tried to carry this brother’s house to play video games. I a dilemma I had conveniently avoided. message to alcoholics, hadn’t seen him since the summer. We had How was I going to not drink on the and to practice these a few beers and ate Reindeer Chow while holidays? What was I going to do on the principles in all our playing Diablo on our laptops together. holidays? Where was I going to go? I had a affairs. The game went deep into the night as I home now, but I was still divorced and I avoided talking about my recent divorce. was still making amends with my family. I My wife had left me just weeks prior. My was going to be alone. Alone again. I sister in-law came home and my brother slowly stopped hearing what people were Tradition stated he was ready for bed, hinting at saying; instead, I resorted to drawing in my asking me to leave. I started to pack my notebook and shaking my leg nervously. I Twelve laptop, and then realized I had nowhere to was trying not to think of the topic. Anonymity is the spiritual go that night. Since my wife had left, I had foundation of all our been homeless. I asked my brother if I The person next to me finished. It was Traditions, ever could sleep on the couch. He shared an now my turn to speak. I barely looked up reminding us to place awkward silent look with his wife. They from my notebook, muttering, “I’m principles before agreed I could spend the night but in the Miranda, I’m an alcoholic.” The usual Personalities. morning, they had plans. Christmas chorus rang back, “Hi Miranda.” I leaned morning, I left. I don’t know where I went. back in my chair and started running my However, like many other Christmas’ pasts, hands through my hair repeatedly. I looked at the ceiling, and tried Concept Twelve I spent it with a bottle, but this time, alone with a bottle. to play it “cool.” “My family doesn’t have November 2018, around 7 months sober, I traditions for Christmas attended my usual meeting at the Kent or anything. When I was The Conference shall Living Sober meeting. The topic was a little kid we did. It was observe the spirit of A.A. “Staying Sober during the Holidays.” As great. Last Christmas I tradition, taking care that the topic went around the room, I felt was homeless, so I just it never becomes the anxious. I listened to the stories of other drank. I always just AA’s holiday traditions, how they dealt drank on holidays so I seat of perilous wealth or with their uncle’s drinking, how they were wouldn’t remember that power; ...it will always no longer the ‘drunken aunt’ at the family it used to be great until remain democratic in gathering, and about knowing when to my parent’s divorce. thought and action. leave the party. The closer the topic came After that, I just kind of to me, the more anxious I felt. I always bounced friend’s house commented on topics at meetings, but (Continued on page 6) From the IGNews Committee... Inside This Issue Dear Readers, Season Greetings ..................... 3 Happy Holidays to all of our readers. Another year has gone and we are getting Tips to Stay Sober .............. 4 & 5 ready to start 2020. This issue is filled with tips about staying sober over the Anonymity reading .................. 6 holidays. We have articles with some history about Ebby and Bill’s kitchen table Your Are Invited ....................... 7 meeting. My Favorite Meetings .............. 8 Have you seen the big stained glass window at the Intergroup? The archives has shared the story about how it came about. We included a Holiday message from Give AA an Opportunity ........... 9 Bill W. Shot Heard Around the AA ...... 9 We as a committee want to share that it has been a joy to prepare this newsletter New Year’s Eve Notice ............. 10 for you. We want to thank our writers for so faithfully sending in articles. Jeff A From the Archives .................... 11 (the pony guy) sent in an article every month and he covered the Steps. He plans Bill W Xmas Message ............... 12 to continue with the Traditions. We can’t wait. Our regulars, Jack M, Moe A and Bob from Richmond have shared again this month. ESH -12 Steps and Traditions ... 13 We hope you enjoy this issue and consider subscribing if you Why Study the Big Book .......... 14 don’t already. You can get the colorful email version sent to you. October Contributions ............. 15 Yours in Service, Fellowship after 164 ................ 16 The IGNews Committee Where to send Contributions .. 17 Announcements ...................... 18 Akron InterGroup News 775 N Main St Akron, OH 44310 Calendar ................................... 19 Topic/Subscribe ....................... 20 330-253-8181❖ Fax: 330-253-8292 ❖Toll Free in NE Ohio: 800-897-6737 Website: www.akronaa.org ❖Email: [email protected] Akron IGNews is a monthly newsletter of the Akron Area Intergroup Council of Alcoholics Anonymous. First publication was November, 1954. It is about, by and for the members of the Fellowship of AA. Opinions expressed herein are NOT to be attributed to AA as a whole, nor does publication of information imply any endorsement by either AA or the Akron Intergroup Council. Quotations and artwork from AA literature are reprinted with permission from AA World Service, Inc. and/or The AA Grapevine, Inc. Contributions from our readers are encouraged! Submissions are edited for space and clarity ONLY. Contact information is required and anonymity is respected. In keeping with our goal of being self-supporting, your subscription is appreciated. Akron InterGroup News publication. At times, the committee must walk a tightrope in making decisions on what is printed and what is not. As a general guideline, any letter or article Statement of Purpose that is of interest to members of AA and in good taste, is worthy of publication. However, an article or letter that advocates ignoring or violating the Traditions, The Akron InterGroup News, as a standing committee of the Akron Intergroup Concepts or General Service Conference actions will not be considered for Council of Alcoholics Anonymous, is bound by the Twelve Traditions and the publication. Our Higher Power guides us through our Group conscience. Twelve Concepts. Our primary purpose is the same as any AA group: to carry the AA message to the still suffering alcoholic. Our secondary purpose is to keep “No AA group or member should ever, in such a way as to implicate AA, the Akron Intergroup area of Holmes, Medina, Portage, Summit & Wayne express any opinion on outside controversial issues particularly those of counties informed as to events, meeting changes, Council decisions, and other politics, alcohol reform, or sectarian religion. The Alcoholics Anonymous news of interest to AAs in the Akron area. groups oppose no one. Concerning such matters they can express no views As a newsletter and voice of and for the AA community, we have an additional whatsoever.” purpose. We provide a forum for the broad spectrum of views held by our — Tradition Ten, Long Form members. A controversial subject, as long as it does not concern an out-side issue and involves principles and not personalities, will be considered for © Akron InterGroup News. We grant any AA publication permission to reprint articles from the Akron InterGroup News with the following attribution: © Akron InterGroup News; Month, Year Akron InterGroup News - 2 - December, 2019 Come and visit at the Akron Area Intergroup Office. We have the Archives for you to see. We also have a great selection of books, bookmarks and framed and laminated pictures that make great holiday gifts for everyone. We have a selection of coins for months and years. Consider giving the gift of the Akron Intergroup News subscription. You can do all of this on-line at akronaa.org or come into the office for a cup of coffee maybe some other sweets and a visit. Akron InterGroup News - 3 - December, 2019 Tips to Stay Sober Over the Holidays When I finally came in these The Doctor's Opinion in the Big without alcohol during the holiday rooms and stayed since 1992, in Book speaks of the psychic change season. Like all good holiday Akron, Ohio, my first two that characterizes recovered miracles, it can't be explained, it experiences with AA were in 1983 alcoholics. For me, the psychic can only be experienced. So, my and 1985 in the U.S. Navy station change included my newfound advice to the newcomer about in Norfolk Virginia. Back then they realization that I could have fun staying sober during the holiday would have two 50-50 drawings without alcohol. This was news to season would be this: try one year where the first drawing would be me. How could anyone possibly of substance-free holidays, with a the money and the second would have fun as an adult without focus on making other people be winning an AA book. God was abusing drugs or alcohol? Much to happy instead of having fun doing for me what I could not do my surprise, it was true.