It is the simple stuff we miss. In recovery circles, the slogan is the secret weapon. In an upcoming podcast, I am going to talk about the use of slogans in recovery, especially in AA. Lest the faith folks feel left out we will talk about simple phrases and objects the church uses to communicate to the faithful. In both Faith and recovery, the game is similar. If we look closely we can see the fundamental values of both areas.
For the faith folks, I will do what I will do often I will take you to an imaginary AA meeting. The names have been changed and the people are composites. If you know me and think you recognize the person they are avatars.
It’s a Saturday afternoon in the gym of a catholic church in a suburb of an eastern city.
You walk in with me. You are nervous and the vibe is strange. You are disorientated. There are folding chairs filling half the gym. In the rear of the gym is a table with a coffee urn and fixings for coffee. In some states, you might see a person selling raffle tickets. You are a bit late. But people drift in. At the podium, a lady gets up from a table in front of the audience. She reads something. IN some places it varies. At this meeting, they are reading from something they called the Big Book.
This turns out to be what they call an open speaker meeting. Later I learn open says it is open to the public. As opposed to a closed meeting where everyone there is willing to define themselves as an alcoholic or in NA an addict. I don’t know what is coming and I am afraid. Will they point at Me and interrogate me then hang a sign on me and parade me in the streets. I am nervous now. To distract me I read the banners hanging on the table and the walls. Stupid stuff is not frightening, but weird. Easy Does it, One day at a time. Keep it Simple.
What is this? See the next blog for more. And listen to the next podcasts to hear the full story.
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