The Daily

Reprieve

By Singapore AA members

February to April 2014

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The Twelve Steps of Alcoholics Anonymous

1. We admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives had become unmanageable.

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

3. Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.

4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.

5. Admitted to God, to ourselves, and to another human being the exact nature of our wrongs.

6. Were entirely ready to have God remove all these defects of character.

7. Humbly asked Him to remove our shortcomings.

8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed, and became willing to make amends to them all.

9. Made direct amends to such people wherever possible, except when to do so would injure them or others.

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

11. Sought through prayer and meditation to improve our conscious contact with God as we understood Him, praying only for knowledge of His will for us and the power to carry that out.

12. Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps, we tried to carry this message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.

“I am responsible . . .When anyone, anywhere, reaches out for help,

I want the hand of A.A. always to be there.

And for that: I am responsible.”

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

A DECISION OF THE HEART

DESIDERATA

HOW ANONYMOUS ARE YOU IN A.A.

CELEBRATING FIVE YEARS

BACK TO THE BASICS OF RECOVERY – OVERVIEW AND STEP ONE

BACK TO THE BASICS OF RECOVERY – STEP TWO

PROGRESS

THE 12 STEPS TO TOTAL AND COMPLETE INSANITY

REGIONAL A.A. NEWS

MEETING SCHEDULE

AM I AN ALCOHOLIC – AA CHECKLIST

For further assistance, call (+65)6475 0890 or email us at: help@singaporeaa.org

To contribute to the Daily Reprieve, please send your article or annooncement to:

newsletter@singaporeaa.org

See details and meeting schedules at: www.singaporeaa.org

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Dear Fellows in Sobriety,

This being the first issue of 2014, we at the Daily Reprieve would like to wish you a very

Happy New Year – Gong Xi Fa Cai !!

Starting with this issue, we will be taking a look back to the beginnings of our Program

starting with an article by Ted H., the archivist from Springfield, Missouri, on “anonymity” as

it was understood by Bill W. and Dr. Bob.

Wally P., AA archivist and author of “Back to Basics” sent us two articles, on Steps 1 and 2,

entitled “Back to the Basics of Recovery”. We hope that Wally will help us to make this a

year-long series covering all 12 Steps.

Our friend in Indiana, Bob S., writes to us again, this time on Step 2 and how he ‘came to

believe’ in an article entitled “A Decision of the Heart.”

From closer to home, Steve has shared about “Celebrating 5” years of continuous sobriety,

and how he has come to see this as another starting point in his recovery journey. And in

“Progress”, a more recent member writes about the freedom and the fresh perspective she

has already found in just a few months of working the Program.

Wishing you health, happiness and prosperity in the Year of the Horse,

Claire

Disclaimer: The views and opinions expressed in articles submitted to the Daily Reprieve are those

of the authors and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of Alcoholics Anonymous.

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A DECISION OF THE HEART

The Big Book tells me that if I was even willing to believe, I would commence to get results

(p. 46). But then, believing was no problem for a person such as I, who was absolutely

terrified of taking that next drink—when I read Step Two, I exclaimed: I believe! I believe! I

considered my simple choice:

Believe and get sober

Don’t believe and get drunk

Someone asked: “How does an alcoholic become willing to believe?” Answer: “Just drink

enough hooch, and you’ll get willing!” I certainly batted one-hundred on that score! So,

Step Two was no great shakes for yours truly—but was believing enough? The Devil

believed in God, and look where he ended up!

My sponsor, Carl, pointed out that the ABCs on page 60, amount to: I can’t, but God can!

The next paragraph says: “Being convinced, we are now at step Three.” . . . and that the

operative word was NOW! Immediate action was necessary—after all, if faith without

works is dead, then willingness without action is fantasy! I had lived in an alcoholic fantasy

quite enough, thank you.

But to whom should I pray for help? My concepts of God changed day by day; each

conclusion would seem more logical than the previous one. However, it was explained

that this life-saving power was not to be found by a conclusion of the mind, but by making

a decision of the heart . . . and also, that this power was not far away. The Big Book tells us:

“We found the Great Reality deep down within us. In the last analysis it is only there it can

be found” (p. 55). It was further explained that the capitalized ‘Great Reality’ was that

power to whom I should pray for help, and no further ‘conclusions of the mind’ would be

necessary.

I was told that if I continued with the Twelve Steps I would most likely develop a conscious

contact with that Great Reality deep within (God), resulting in a real possibility for a release

from that terrifying mental obsession. This was an offer I couldn’t refuse, so I humored my

sponsor and tried it—guess what? Some months later, a blessed release did come over me

which has been continuous for many years. I have not had to drink since my first AA

meeting.

It works—it really does.

Bob S., Richmond, Indiana

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DESIDERATA

Go placidly amid the noise and haste, and remember what peace there may be in silence. As

far as possible without surrender be on good terms with all persons.

Speak your truth quietly and clearly; and listen to others, even the dull and the ignorant;

they too have their story.

Avoid loud and aggressive persons, they are vexations to the spirit. If you compare yourself

with others, you may become vain and bitter; for always there will be greater and lesser

persons than yourself.

Enjoy your achievements as well as your plans. Keep interested in your own career, however

humble; it is a real possession in the changing fortunes of time.

Exercise caution in your business affairs; for the world is full of trickery. But let this not blind

you to what virtue there is; many persons strive for high ideals; and everywhere life is full of

heroism. Be yourself. Especially, do not feign affection.

Neither be cynical about love; for in the face of all aridity and disenchantment it is as

perennial as the grass. Take kindly the counsel of the years, gracefully surrendering the

things of youth. Nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune. But do not

distress yourself with dark imaginings.

Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness. Beyond a wholesome discipline, be gentle

with yourself. You are a child of the universe, no less than the trees and the stars; you have

a right to be here. And whether or not it is clear to you, no doubt the universe is unfolding

as it should.

Therefore be at peace with God, whatever you conceive Him to be, and whatever your

labors and aspirations, in the noisy confusion of life keep peace with your soul. With all its

sham, drudgery, and broken dreams, it is still a beautiful world.

Be cheerful.

Strive to be happy.

Max Ehrmann, 1927

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HOW ANONYMOUS ARE YOU IN A.A. ?

“In some sections of A.A, anonymity is carried to the point of real absurdity. Members are

on such poor basis of communication that they don’t even know each other’s last names or

where each lives. It’s like the cell of an underground” 1

Sound familiar? Read on: Dr. Bob, on a trip returning from Cleveland A.A realised that if his

car broke donw he knew no one’s last name to call upon for help. It was his belief that

members are as much in violation of tradition to remain on a first name basis as those who

are appearing in the press by full name and picture.2

100% anonymity is to be maintained only at the level of press, radio and films. Early

anonymity was founded on the ‘counsel of fear’ as in the forward to the first edition of

Alcoholics Anonymous. It stated, “we are too few present to handle the overwhelming

number of appeals which may result from this book”.

A.A. has ‘come of age’ since then so it is no longer necessary to maintain secrecy. Each new

member coming in is already suffering the pangs of anxious apartness. Let’s not add to this

distance with superanonymity.

Bill worte that the approach to anonymity can be done ‘to the letter’ or ‘in the spirit’. We’re

spiritual in nature so choose your won course, In closing, here is A.A’s 12th Tradition3 (long

form).

‘And finally, we of Alcoholics Anonymous believe that the principle of anonymity has an

immense spiritual significance. It reminds us that we are to place principles before

personalities; that we are actually to practice a genuine humility. This is to the end that our

great blessings may never spoil us; that we shall forever live in thankful contemplation of

HIM who presides over us all.

Peace,

Ted H.

1 Letter, Bill W. ’59, Reprinted by permission of AAWS 2 “Dr. Bob and the Good Oldtimers”, Reprinted by permission of AAWS 3 “Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions”. Reprinted by permission of AAWS

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CELEBRATING FIVE YEARS

My name is Steve and I AM an alcoholic. I have been sober for FIVE years. :)

Five years sober is a big deal; getting to five years was important for me.

At around about 2 yrs a friend of mine was collecting her 5 year chip. She made the

comment that less than 1 in 20 who collect a 2yr chip go on to collect their 5yr chip.... That

statistic scared me.

I’ve also heard over and over that 5 years "… is when we hear the BIG BANG". That big bang

is the sound that’s made when your own head comes out of your own ass, supposedly.

That’s always made me laugh… I love it that we can be so light hearted and laugh at

ourselves. It also always gave me hope… I love it that things get better and better. I love the

saying ’the best is yet to come’. It’s not a con - I know it to be true.

So…. getting to 5 years has always been a focus for me. I don’t know what I thought -

whether it was that I was out of the ‘danger’ zone?? or that I had ‘graduated’?? I’m not

sure… but it was. 5 yrs was a big deal for me. When I got there, I felt a great sense of

achievement…

I had such a wonderful day… A day of reflection. I love anniversaries, for that reason - they

are a day in which we stop to reflect. To look at where we have come from, and where we

are at now. We don’t often see the growth in ourselves as others see it. And too many of us

are always going too fast... So it’s important to stop, and give it time - think about the

progress. Think about the journey. Get it all in healthy perspective.

I remember when I first came into AA after I had made the decision… I was petrified. I was

consumed with FEAR. Fear about what people would think of me, what I would become.

How would I ever have fun again? What would become of my life? Let’s face it, my life was

over! Or so I thought.

These are thoughts and sentiments shared by most of us I think… If only we could get a

glimpse, a glimpse of what life looks like - the relationships we have, the respect we earn,

the love and the warmth in our lives, these fears simply wouldn’t exist. Instead we would be

running to sobriety. We would be aggressively pursuing a life of recovery.

What life was I so afraid to lose anyway…. I had only a few friends left. My career was

spiralling out of control… I was putting my own life in danger, time and time again. I was

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putting other people’s lives in danger. I barely escaped serving more than 2 yrs in a

Japanese prison… but this is the life I was so worried about losing?? Insane.

I have an amazing life now. I have many loving friends. I have relationships with meaning. I

care about others and other people care about me. These simple things, these basic

requirements for a happy and fulfilling life were missing for me before recovery. Now I have

them, and I cherish them…

So… when I heard someone share in a meeting only a few days after I got my 5 years, that

they are looking forward to getting 10, which will be when that big bang goes off - I had to

laugh. I had to laugh that it had been put back another 5 years on me! I have been to a lot of

meetings in the past 5 years, and only ever heard the 5 year big bang theory. God made sure

I heard that now it’s 10, so I don’t rest on my laurels. God and I had a giggle.

Thanks for letting me share.

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Back to the Basics of Recovery

Overview and Step One

by Wally P.

As an A.A. archivist and historian, I have had open access to many of the A.A. archival

collections throughout the United States and Canada. In addition, I have interviewed

several hundred A.A. old-timers who found a solution to their drinking problem in the

1940's and 1950's.

In this and subsequent articles, I will present the methodology the A.A. pioneers used to

take newcomers through the Twelve Steps. The process was simple, straightforward, and

very effective. It is my hope that you will find some of this material useful, whether you are

a sponsor, sponsee, or someone interested in learning more about our Twelve Step program

of recovery.

Some of this material may contradict what you have personally experienced within the

Twelve Step community. Although controversial, none of this information is meant to be

confrontational.

I commend anyone who is willing to guide a newcomer through the Steps. I am not here to

critique or criticize anyone’s sponsorship style. I have written these articles with the sole

intent of familiarizing you with some of the techniques the pioneers used during A.A.’s

formative years.

In the early days, the sponsor chose the newcomer and stayed with this person until he or

she had taken all Twelve Steps and was able to demonstrate an ability to take others

through the work or serve the A.A. community in some other way. How long did this take?

In many instances the process was completed in a day or two, sometimes it took longer, but

rarely did it take more than a month. Then the sponsor and sponsee moved on to work with

others just coming into the program. Sometimes they worked together as co-sponsors until

the sponsee became proficient with the recovery process.

Taking the Steps quickly is described in the “Big Book” and other A.A. conference approved

literature. For example, how long was Ebby T. sober when he sponsored Bill W.? Two

months (A.A., 9:5). How long did it take Ebby to guide Bill through the Steps? One day

(A.A., 13:1-4). How long was Bill sober when he started sponsoring newcomers?

Approximately two weeks (A.A., 15:1 and Pass it On, p. 131). How long was Dr. Bob sober

when he started sponsoring? Two days (A.A., 156:3 and Dr. Bob and the Good Oldtimers,

pp. 81-83). How many newcomers did Dr. Bob take through the Steps? Five thousand over

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a ten-year period of time. This equates to more than one person a day. Did this process

work? Absolutely. A.A.’s 50-75% recovery rate during the 1940's and 1950's certainly

validates the process.

Today I hear people say, “But that was then, and things are different now. People are

coming in younger, they have a higher bottom, they have other issues, etc., etc., etc.” The

only thing I find different is that there are a lot more people today who are unfamiliar with

the simplicity of the original A.A. program of recovery. Over the years, people have added

layer upon layer of complexity to the process, which has significantly reduced its

effectiveness

In the early days, most newcomers couldn’t afford a “Big Book” (it cost the equivalent of

$95.00 today), so the sponsor would read the appropriate parts of the “Big Book” to him or

her. Most of the A.A. pioneers used a few key paragraphs from the “Big Book” to take

newcomers through the Steps. The rest of the book was left for a later time. Once the

newcomers had recovered, they would then work the program in more detail. For a list of

the paragraphs many of the A.A. old-timers used, please visit www.aabacktobasics.org.

One of the key statements from the 1940's was, “Put no block between the newcomer and

Step 12. Get the newcomer through the process and working with others as quickly as

possible.” In so doing, the sponsor helped alleviate the newcomer’s feelings of “remorse,

horror and hopelessness” (A.A., 6:1) and replaced these feelings with a “new sense of power

and direction” (A.A., 46:2).

In the early days, the Steps were summarized into four words, Surrender, (Steps 1, 2 and 3),

Sharing (Steps 4, 5, 6 and 7), Amends (Steps 8 and 9), and Guidance (Steps 10, 11 and 12).

Step One reads: We admitted we were powerless over alcohol–that our lives had become

unmanageable. The “Big Book” authors devote 51 pages of the book to the first part of the

surrender process, which is to admit we have a problem. Within these 51 pages, there are

about nine crucial paragraphs.

The authors begin by describing the physical and mental symptoms of alcoholism.

Later they ask us to acknowledge that we are alcoholics. Before we can do this, we need to

know what an alcoholic is.

Explanatory Paragraphs:

o Physical Symptoms: pg. xxx: 5 (1-3, 5-8) (Phenomenon of craving) o Physical Symptoms: pg. 44: 1 (4-7) (Lack of control)

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o Mental Symptoms: pg. xxviii: 4 (1-6), xxix: 0 (1-3) (Inability to accept the truth about our condition)

o Mental Symptoms: pg 23:1 (3-10) +2 (2-9) (Problem starts in the mind) o Mental Symptoms: pg 30: 1 (4-10) (Illusion that we don’t have a problem) o Psychic Change: pg. xxix: 1 (1-5) (What it is going to take to recover)

If you can identify with any of the physical or mental symptoms of alcoholism, you are ready

to take the First Step. If you can’t identify or if you don’t think you are an alcoholic, you can

take the First Step based on the second half of the Step, which refers to unmanageability.

Unmanageability: pg. 52: 2 (3-8) (Trouble, misery, depression, uselessness, unhappiness)

“(Are you) having trouble with personal relationships, control(ling) (y)our emotional nature,

a prey to misery and depression, (having difficulty) mak(ing) a living, (do you) feel useless,

(are you) full of fear, (are you) unhappy, ( does it) seem (you can’t be) of real help to other

people?”

If you can identify with either the first or any part of the second half of the First Step, you

are ready to proceed to the First Step question. It is on page 30, paragraph 2. It reads:

“Do you fully concede to your innermost self that you are an alcoholic?” or

“Do you fully concede to your innermost self that you (have a problem)?”

If you can answer in the affirmative, then you have taken Step One. According to the “Big

Book” authors and the A.A. pioneers, nothing more is required. Now it is time to proceed to

Step 2. In this Step we will describe the solution to our problem.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _

We are what we repeatedly do. Excellence, therefore, is not an act but a habit.

~Aristotle, 384 BC-322 BC

What a different world this would be if people would magnify their blessings the way they

do their troubles. ~ Unknown

I may not have gone where I intended to go, but I think I have ended up where I intended

to be.” ~ Douglas Adams

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Back to the Basics of Recovery

Step Two

by Wally P.

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

In the first article of this series, I presented some of the guidelines that AA sponsors used in

the 1940's to take newcomers through the Twelve Steps in a couple of hours. I listed the

“Big Book” passages they employed to take the first step in the surrender process, which is

to admit we have a problem. In this article, we will examine the second part of the

surrender, which is to acknowledge there is a solution to our problem.

The Oxford Group, the organization from which A.A. evolved, used Four Spiritual Activities

to take newcomers through the Steps. They were:

1. SURRENDER—A.A.’s First, Second and Third Steps.

2. SHARING—A.A.’s Fourth, Fifth, Sixth and Seventh Steps.

3. AMENDS—A.A.’s Eighth and Ninth Steps.

4. GUIDANCE—A.A.’s Tenth, Eleventh and Twelfth Steps.

In subsequent articles, I will explain how the “Big Book” authors converted these four steps

to six in 1937 and then to twelve in 1938.

In the early days, the sponsor took the newcomer through the Steps as quickly as possible in

order to alleviate the pain and suffering of early sobriety, knowing that if he or she didn’t do

so, the newcomer was at risk of relapse or worse. Once the newcomer had been through

the work, the chances were very good he or she would continue the journey by sponsoring

others through this simple and straightforward “program of action.”

The second step is all about power–who’s got the power. In the first step we admit that

before we take the steps we are powerless. When under the influence, alcoholics and

addicts erroneously believe they have the power. They believe the lie that they are

bulletproof and invincible. This is the illusion many pursue “into the gates of insanity or

death.”

In Step Two, we learn how and where to find the Power. The key “Big Book” passages for

the second step are:

- Lack of power is our problem: pg. 45: 1 (1-4), 2 (1-3)

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- Where do we find the Power? pg. 55: 2 (1-7), 3: (5-7) - What if the newcomer doesn’t believe in the Power? pg. 46: 1 (3-8)

In the first and second paragraphs on page 45, we look at the problem:

“Lack of power, that was our dilemma. We had to find a power by which we could

live, and it had to be a Power greater than ourselves. Obviously. But where and how were

we to find this Power?

“Well, that’s exactly what this book is about. Its main object is to enable you to find

a Power greater than yourself which will solve your problem.”

The “Big Book” authors make it clear that the Power is the solution to our difficulties. In

other words, our sponsor, psychologist, attorney, counselor, or anyone else for that matter

cannot solve our problem. All they can do is help guide us to the solution.

So, in order to recover, we have to find a “Power greater than ourselves.” But where are we

going to find this Power? The authors answer this question in the second and third

paragraphs on page 55:

“Actually we were fooling ourselves, for deep down in every man, woman, and child,

is the fundamental idea of God. It may be obscured by calamity, by pomp, by worship of

other things, but in some form or other it is there. For faith in a Power greater than

ourselves, and miraculous demonstrations of that power in human lives, are facts as old as

(mankind itself).

“ . . . We found the Great Reality deep down within us. In the last analysis it is only

there that (this Power) may be found.”

If the newcomer doesn’t believe in the Power, ask him or her to take the Second Step based

on a willingness to believe that you believe in the Power. Tell enough of your story to

demonstrate to the newcomer that you do believe. Then take him or her to the first

paragraph on page 46:

“. . . We found that as soon as we were able to lay aside prejudice and express even a

willingness to believe in a Power greater than ourselves, we commenced to get results, even

though it was impossible for any of us to fully define or comprehend that Power . . .”

The second Step question is found on page 47, paragraph 2, lines 1-3. It reads:

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“Do (you) now believe, or (are you) even willing to believe, that there is a Power greater

than (yourself)?”

If you can answer in the affirmative to either the first or the second part of the question,

you have taken Step Two. We are now ready to proceed to the Third Step.

About the Author

Wally P. is an archivist, historian and author who, for more than twenty-three years, has

been studying the origins and growth of the Twelve-step movement. He is the caretaker for

the personal archives of Dr. Bob and Anne Smith.

Wally conducts history presentations and recovery workshops, including “Back to the Basics

of Recovery” in which he takes attendees through all Twelve Steps in four, one-hour sessions.

More than 500,000 have taken the Steps using this powerful, time-tested, and highly

successful “original” program of action.

_ _ _ _ _ _ _

"Waking up this morning, I smile. Twenty-four brand new hours are before me. I vow to

live fully in each moment and to look at all beings with eyes of compassion." ~ Thich Nhat

Hanh

One of the great things in the world is not so much where we are, but in what direction

we are moving. ~ Oliver Wendall Holmes

Don't look down on another person unless you are leaning over to help them up. ~ Anon

Gratitude: "Every day, think as you wake up, "Today I am fortunate to have woken up. I

am alive, I have a precious human life. I am not going to waste it. I am going to use all my

energies to develop myself, to expand my heart out to others, to achieve enlightenment

for the benefit of all beings. I am going to have kind thoughts towards others, I am not

going to get angry, or think badly about others. I am going to benefit others as much as I

can." ~ His Holiness The Dalai Lama

There is no satisfaction that can compare with looking back across the years and finding

you’ve grown in self-control, judgment, generosity, and unselfishness. ~Ella Wheeler

Wilcox

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PROGRESS

My sponsor asked me a week ago to write something to start doing « service ». I have been

procrastinating over it a few days. What shall I write ? How can I start ? Will people enjoy

reading me ? I thought : « everything is so confused still after 11 months of sobriety you

know » : that’s the kind of EXCUSES I made to not start writing. I went on thinking: « I have a

lack of inspiration ! ». But I slowly became aware that I really have to stop this « mental

comedy », I am not a writer, remember (character defect 1: pride), I do not need inspiration

to write what I feel and think, I can just be honest (character default 2 : intellectual

dishonesty), I can work for others and myself ( character default 3 and 4 : huge laziness and

egotism ).

Well, my progress is slow and the path is long, I am only commencing to be aware of what’s

going on inside me, but actually I will never go backward at any price. Why ? Because when

we talk about the promises we can expect as we progress through the program, I know

what they are and I have started to notice them. They are these slight, little changes that

are like a treasure: I find myself at some moments feeling at PEACE and CONNECTED with

the world I live in. I love this new feeling that I want to call SERENITY, it’s new and it feels

like a little, fresh breeze. This changed my whole perspective of the people around me :

others are loveable and I am too if I choose to be.

My God today is nothing other than LOVE, the big one, the one you build through

confidence and faith with your fellows, with the people you meet in everyday life, your

family and your previous « imagined » enemies. God is like that affection of an old couple. It

is reassuring and soothing; I don’t need to fight against everything anymore.

But to maintain this inner joy, I must go on with the program and go on working. It really,

really is worth it.

After having lived more than 25 years driven by passions and addictions for alcohol, sex,

binges, getting high, escaping reality; through crisis and having this inner feeling of sickness,

this sensation that one day all will end in a drama : I just consider today as a miracle.

My brother committed suicide at 25 years old, after he went on a binge for the nth time.

During the years following his death, when drunk myself, I often thought that he found the

solution and that he was the courageous one. That’s not my feeling today : I wish he could

have had the second chance I was given when I pushed open the door of AA.

This December was the first time I was sober to face the anniversary of his death (as well as

Christmas and New Year), I felt so sad and anxious. But I had the fellowship around me and

the serenity of my sponsor guiding me in the right direction. I could seek for this comforting

support. I found it and it is the most wonderful gift of the program. I can be sad, anxious,

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and angry without drinking over it. But I must do my best to let go of those negative feelings

promptly.

Moreover, I don’t see his death as a terrible waste and drama anymore. I want to take it as a

lesson. I want to break this family secret and taboo, so it will never happen again. I don’t

feel guilty anymore either, for not having been able to save him.

Now, I can tell my little brother that I deeply love him, that I miss him and that I am sure he

is close to me in this new journey.

Thanks to all the fellows of AA in Shanghai and in Singapore and to my sponsor.

祝各朋友新年快乐，步步高升 !

Happy New Year my friends, wishing you all good progress, step by step!

- A.

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The 12 Steps to Total and Complete Insanity

1. We admitted we were powerless over nothing. We could manage our lives perfectly and we could manage those of anyone else that would allow it.

2. Came to believe that there was no power greater than ourselves, and the rest of the world was insane.

3. Made a decision to have our loved ones and friends turn their wills and their lives over to our care.

4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of everyone we knew.

5. Admitted to the whole world at large the exact nature of their wrongs.

6. Were entirely ready to make others straighten up and do right.

7. Demanded others to either "shape up or ship out".

8. Made a list of anyone who had ever harmed us and became willing to go to any lengths to get even with them all.

9. Got direct revenge on such people whenever possible except when to do so would cost us our own lives, or at the very least, a jail sentence.

10. Continued to take inventory of others, and when they were wrong promptly and repeatedly told them about it.

11. Sought through nagging to improve our relations with others as we couldn't understand them at all, asking only that they knuckle under and do things our way.

12. Having had a complete physical, emotional and spiritual breakdown as a result of these steps, we tried to blame it on others and to get sympathy and pity in all our affairs.

Anonymous

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Some Upcoming A.A. Events in the Region and Beyond

THAILAND 2014 ANNUAL AA ROUND UP, PATTAYA 21 TO 23 FEBRUARY

http://thailandroundup.weebly.com/

49th Australian National Convention of Alcoholics Anonymous

at Adelaide, South Australia: April 17 to 21, 2014

http://www.aaconventionadelaide2014.org/welcome.html

Bali Round-Up « A New Freedom » 13 to 15 June 2014 http://www.baliroundup.org/

The 28th Annual Netherlands Round Up - 22 to 24 August 2014

with Al-Anon Participation www.aa-netherlands.org/drupal/registrationinfo2014

_ _ _ _ _ _ _

Challenges are what make life interesting and overcoming them is what makes life

meaningful.

~ Joshua J. Marine

Gratitude is not only the greatest of virtues, but the parent of all others. ~ Cicero

The soul always knows what to do to heal itself. The challenge is to silence the mind. ~

Caroline Myss

There are three things extremely hard: steel, a diamond, and to know one’s self. ~

Benjamin Franklin

The more you know yourself, the more clarity there is. Self-knowledge has no end - you

don't come to an achievement, you don't come to a conclusion. It is an endless river.

~Jiddu Krishnamurti

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Singapore A.A. Weekly Meeting Schedule: please see website for directions

Monday 07.15 - 08.00 AM Men’s Meeting Closed MBFC

07.30 - 08.30 AM Big Book Study Closed Boat Quay

12:30 - 01:30 PM Daily Reflections Open Damien Hall

12:30 - 01:30 PM Big Book Study Open East Coast

07:00 - 08:00 PM Daily Reflections Closed Damien Hall

08:05 - 09:05 PM Beginners Meeting Open Damien Hall

Tuesday 07:30 - 08:30 AM Daily Reflections Closed Boat Quay

12:30 - 01:30 PM Big Book Closed Damien Hall

07:00 - 08:00 PM Daily Reflections Closed Damien Hall

07:00 - 08:30 PM 11th Step Meeting Closed Novena Church

Wednesday 07.30 - 08.30 AM As Bill Sees It Closed Boat Quay

12:30 - 01:30 PM Daily Reflections Open Damien Hall

12:30 - 01:30 PM Living Sober Open East Coast

07:00 - 08:00 PM Speaker Meeting Closed Damien Hall

08:15 - 09:15 PM Women's Step Study Closed Damien Hall

Thursday 07:30 - 08:30 AM 12 & 12 Closed Boat Quay

12:30 - 01:30 PM Daily Reflections Closed Damien Hall

07:00 - 08:00 PM 12 & 12 Closed Damien Hall

07:30 - 08:30 PM Topics Meeting Closed 98B Duxton Road

08:05 - 09:05 PM Big Book Closed Damien Hall

Friday 07.15 - 08.00 AM Mens Meeting Closed MBFC

07:30 - 08:30 AM Beginners Meeting Open Boat Quay

12:30 - 01:30 PM 12 & 12 Closed Damien Hall

12:30 - 01:30 PM Step 11 Meeting Open East Coast

07:00 - 08:00 PM Living Sober Open Damien Hall

07:00 - 08:00 PM Topics Meeting Closed The Flying Hog, Duxton Rd

Saturday 08:00 - 09:00 AM Big Book Meeting Closed Mana Mana Beach Club

08:30 - 09:30 AM Gratitude Meeting Closed Boat Quay

10:00 - 11.00 AM Women's Meeting Closed Boat Quay

04:30 - 05:30 PM Daily Reflections Closed Damien Hall

04:30 - 05:30 PM Daily Reflections Closed 11 Kampong Bugis

07:00 - 08:30 PM Saturday Night Live Open Damien Hall

Sunday 08:00 - 09:00 AM Men's Meeting Open Coffee Bean-Orchard

09:00 - 10:00 AM LGBT Meeting Closed Rainbow Meeting

11:00 – 12:00 Step Meeting Closed 11 Kampong Bugis

06:30 – 07:45 PM Big Book Closed Damien Hall

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Do you have a problem with alcohol?

If we answered YES to four or more questions, we were in deep trouble with our drinking.

See how you do. Remember, there is no disgrace in facing up to the fact that you have a

problem.

1 - Have you ever decided to stop drinking for a week or so, but only lasted for a couple of

days?

Most of us in A.A. made all kinds of promises to ourselves and to our families. We could not

keep them. Then we came to A.A. A.A. said: "Just try not to drink today." (If you do not drink

today, you cannot get drunk today.)

Yes No 2 - Do you wish people would mind their own business about your drinking-- stop telling

you what to do?

In A.A. we do not tell anyone to do anything. We just talk about our own drinking, the

trouble we got into, and how we stopped. We will be glad to help you, if you want us to.

Yes No 3 - Have you ever switched from one kind of drink to another in the hope that this would

keep you from getting drunk?

We tried all kinds of ways. We made our drinks weak. Or just drank beer. Or we did not drink

cocktails. Or only drank on weekends. You name it, we tried it. But if we drank anything with

alcohol in it, we usually got drunk eventually.

Yes No 4 - Have you had to have an eye-opener upon awakening during the past year?

Do you need a drink to get started, or to stop shaking? This is a pretty sure sign that you are

not drinking "socially."

Yes No 5 - Do you envy people who can drink without getting into trouble?

At one time or another, most of us have wondered why we were not like most people, who

really can take it or leave it.

Yes No 6 - Have you had problems connected with drinking during the past year?

Be honest! Doctors say that if you have a problem with alcohol and keep on drinking, it will

get worse -- never better. Eventually, you will die, or end up in an institution for the rest of

your life. The only hope is to stop drinking.

Yes No

21

7 - Has your drinking caused trouble at home?

Before we came into A.A., most of us said that it was the people or problems at home that

made us drink. We could not see that our drinking just made everything worse. It never

solved problems anywhere or anytime.

Yes No 8 - Do you ever try to get "extra" drinks at a party because you do not get enough?

Most of us used to have a "few" before we started out if we thought it was going to be that

kind of party. And if drinks were not served fast enough, we would go some place else to get

more.

Yes No 9 - Do you tell yourself you can stop drinking any time you want to, even though you keep

getting drunk when you don't mean to?

Many of us kidded ourselves into thinking that we drank because we wanted to. After we

came into A.A., we found out that once we started to drink, we couldn't stop.

Yes No 10 - Have you missed days of work or school because of drinking?

Many of us admit now that we "called in sick" lots of times when the truth was that we were

hung-over or on a drunk.

Yes No 11 - Do you have "blackouts"?

A "blackout" is when we have been drinking hours or days which we cannot remember.

When we came to A.A., we found out that this is a pretty sure sign of alcoholic drinking.

Yes No 12 - Have you ever felt that your life would be better if you did not drink?

Many of us started to drink because drinking made life seem better, at least for a while. By

the time we got into A.A., we felt trapped. We were drinking to live and living to drink. We

were sick and tired of being sick and tired.

Yes No

+65 6475 0890 for further assistance

Or email us at help@singaporeaa.org