Volume 20 | Issue 06          Web version

Anonymous Times

Published by North Orange County InterGroup Association of Alcoholics Anonymous Groups, Inc.

(714) 773-HELP

 1661 E. Chapman Avenue, Suite 1H

Fullerton, CA 92831

www.aanoc.org 

October 2020 Issue

Step 10

"Continued to take personal inventory and when we were wrong promptly admitted it."

Can we stay sober and keep emotional balance under all conditions?  Self-searching becomes a regular habit.  Admit, accept, and patiently correct defects.  Emotional hangover.  When past is settled with, present challenges can be met.  Varieties of inventory.  Anger, resentments, jealousy, envy, self-pity, hurt pride - all led to the bottle.  Self-restraint first objective.  Insurance against "big-shot-ism."  Let's look at credits as well as debits.  Examination of motives.

Tradition 10

"Alcoholics Anonymous has n o opinion on outside issues; hence the A.A. name ought never be drawn into public controversy."

No A.A. group or member should ever, in such a way as to implicate A.A., express any opinion on outside controversial issues - particularly those of politics, alcohol reform, or sectarian religion.  The Alcoholics Anonymous groups oppose no one.  Concerning such matters they can express no views whatever.

We Take for Granted our Continued Unity as a Movement:
But Should We?
An Essay by Bill W.
September 1948

To most of us, Alcoholics Anonymous has become as solid as the Rock of Gibraltar.  We like to believe that it will soon be as well-known and just as enduring as that historic landmark.  We enjoy this pleasant conviction because mothering has yet occurred to disturb it; we reason that we must hang together or die.  Hence we take for granted our continued unity as a movement.

But should we?  Though God has bestowed upon ...

Concept 10

Good service leaders, together with sound and appropriate methods of choosing them, are at all levels indispensable for our future functioning and safety.  The primary world service leadership once exercised by the founders of A.A. must necessarily be assumed by the Trustees of the General Service Board of Alcoholics Anonymous.

Turbulance: 
A prayer at 10,000 feet helps her get back on the right footing

While flying from Philadelphia to Key West, I had to call on the Tenth Step to make my three hour flight a happy and pleasant one instead of an angry and miserable one. 

After boarding the plane, I sat comfortably in my window seat with my well-packed, carry-on luggage arranged strategically at my feet for maximum leg stretch. I prayed and meditated on how wonderful it is to be a sober woman in flight. I was organized and on time. What a gift!
 
Then a woman sat next to me in the center seat. And what does she proceed to do? She orients her body in my direction and crosses her legs right into my personal leg space. Unbelievable. My tiny bit of foot territory was invaded by her feet. I quickly gave her the look. No response. Then I gave her the look and breathed heavily. Again, no response. I shifted in my seat and glared at her feet. Still no response. Rats!

I didn’t know what to do now. I wondered what other people would do. Probably someone else would ask her politely to move her feet. So I played that scenario out in my head and I imagined her saying, “No, to hell with you.” What would I do then, take her by the throat?

As I mulled this in my mind, she stretched her legs and put her feet right on top of my carry-on bag, totally oblivious to the fact that she was being completely rude. And that bag she put her feet on was not even mine, it was my sister’s brown houndstooth bag that I had borrowed. 

So finally, I threw a small tantrum. I grabbed my bag and jerked it to the other side of the seat, all the while twitching and snorting at my inconsiderate neighbor. She did not even flinch. Her feet remained elevated in the same space in front of me and her body was as relaxed as could be as she gazed at her book, unaffected by my huffy behavior.

As I mulled this in my mind, she stretched her legs and put her feet right on top of my carry-on bag, totally oblivious to the fact that she was being completely rude. And that bag she put her feet on was not even mine, it was my sister’s brown houndstooth bag that I had borrowed. 

So finally, I threw a small tantrum. I grabbed my bag and jerked it to the other side of the seat, all the while twitching and snorting at my inconsiderate neighbor. She did not even flinch. Her feet remained elevated in the same space in front of me and her body was as relaxed as could be as she gazed at her book, unaffected by my huffy behavior.

Oh, I was fuming. Smoke was coming out of my ears. I was so angry and resentful. I just wanted to smack her while shoving her feet right over into her foot space. 

Of course, I didn’t do that. Even though I am much more aware of my feelings in recovery, I am still amazed at how quickly my emotions had shifted from peace and serenity to anger and resentment. In the snap of a finger, I can still be miserable. I knew I could sit there in these emotions…or I could change them. And since I am a member of AA and I’ve gone through the Steps, I knew what to do. 

And I did it—Step Ten. I asked my Higher Power to remove my anger and resentment and to put someone in my path I could help. And like that, I knew the person that I needed to help was this woman sitting next to me. I had acted poorly and I needed to make it right, no matter her behavior.

Suddenly, I noticed she was shivering. “Are you OK?” I asked. “I’m freezing,” she said. “I’ll get a blanket from the flight attendant,” I said and asked if she would like me to lower my window shade (and I hate lowering my window shade). 

“No,” she said. “Leave the shade open. The sun feels good. And here comes the attendant with some coffee. That will be perfect.” 

We both ordered hot coffee and she proceeded to tell me that her father had passed away recently. That she and her husband were going to Key West for a much-needed vacation. I immediately felt an emotional shift back to peace and serenity. She and I talked for more than an hour after that about connections in our lives: aging parents, teaching children with special needs and spirituality. It was such a beautiful conversation, and when I looked down at the floor I noticed her feet never came back into my foot space. 

BY: KAREN S. | NEWTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA

Fun in Sobriety

NEW! Virtual Newcomer Packet

From the NOCCO Outreach Committee, a new 'Virtual Newcomer Packet' is now available on our website.  It is a web page to help answer questions for those struggling with alcohol and questions about the A.A. program.

Results of Member Survey

www.aanoc.org

September 2020 Website Activity

• Total Views (6,486 views)
• Visitors (2,881)
• Online Meeting Directory (2,638 views)
• Home (1,362 views)
• Re-Opening Meeting Guidelines (527 views)
• Virtual Newcomer Packet (281 views)
• 2020 Member Survey (212 views)
• Virtual Bingo Party (78 views)
• AA Anonymous Times (62 views)
• Tradition Nine - An Essay by Bill W. (62 views)

InterGroup Meeting

Please join us at the next NOCCO InterGroup Meeting.  InterGroup Meetings are held the 2nd Wednesday of each month at 7:30 pm.  

Next Meeting:  October 14, 2020 via ZOOM

Meeting ID: 860-4109-6976 | Password: Serenity Dial-in Phone: (669) 900-9128

Online Meeting Directory

In-Person Meeting Directory

NOCCO Appreciates Your Support

Even though meetings, 12-step services and operations have shifted to a virtual environment, expenses continue to accumulate during this crisis, which underscores the importance of practicing the Seventh Tradition. We still stock literature, handle 12-step calls around the clock, and assist those with a desire to stop drinking. Your generous support is critical and appreciated.

Suggested Group Contributions

70% to NOCCO
1661 E. Chapman Avenue
Suite 1H
Fullerton, CA 92831
(714) 773-4537
www.aanoc.org

20% to GSO
P.O. Box 459
Grand Central Station
New York, NY 10163
(212) 870-3400
www.aa.org

5-10% to MSCA09
Mid-Southern CA Area 09
P.O. Box 51446
Irvine, CA 92619-1446
www.msca09aa.org

Language of Letting Go Journal

Fear, shame, anger, self-doubt. Helping people "let go" of self-destructive thoughts, emotions, and behaviors has been the life work of acclaimed author Melody Beattie. For more than a decade, millions of readers have turned to Beattie's classic meditation book, The Language of Letting Go, as a wellspring for daily reflection, affirmation, and change. Now the journal edition, using abridged text from the original best-seller, allows readers to record their thoughts, fears, and accomplishments.

Key features and benefits:

• Beattie's work is known and trusted among self-help readers.
• Journal format invites readers to personalize meditations.
• Meditation themes explore common relationship issues.
• A thoughtful gift for friends or a great gift for yourself.

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Perfect Holiday Gift

I am Responsible. 

When anyone, anywhere, reaches out for help, I want the hand of AA always to be there. 

For that, I am responsible.

Love & Service from GSO

On behalf of the General Service Office, I am moved to express our love and gratitude to you. For your trust in us and your continued guidance and support. Ours is an amazing spiritual enterprise that has carried us all to this very place on an 85-year journey. May we continue to trudge the road of happy destiny together, for so long as we are needed. 

Thanks to all contributors who support NOCCO.  

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