AA Podcast
AA Podcast
Topic: Principles of Service
Topic: Principles of Service
Topic: Principles of Service
Saturday 29th May 2021
Gary K. explores the principles of service in AA, highlighting sponsorship and personal accountability. Tune in for valuable insights.
69 minutes
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AA Podcast
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Categories:
Recovery with AA
Creative Recovery Journeys
Empowering Recovery Journeys
Sexual Empowerment & Identity
Family Recovery from Addiction
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Get the buttons here!Gary K. on Service: The Backbone of AA
It is our collective responsibility to do our own step work. Without these services to connect us and pull our feet to the fire, to stay the course, to take our turn in the barrel when it happens and dies, Alcoholics Anonymous will live and die on its willingness and its ability to do the-step work of Alcoholics Anonymous.
What keeps the heart of Alcoholics Anonymous beating? Gary K. from Denver, CO, believes it's the principles of service. Sober since 1983, Gary dives into this crucial topic in an episode recorded in Primm, NV, back in December 2009. His reflections offer a candid look at the challenges and triumphs within AA, emphasizing the vital role of sponsorship and collective responsibility.
Gary shares his personal journey, starting with his initial steps into a group of AA members who were deeply committed to the traditions. This commitment, he says, allowed him to experience the best that AA has to offer. He underscores the importance of service in connecting members and keeping them accountable, warning that without it, AA might struggle to survive. Newcomers, according to Gary, are the lifeblood of AA.
He stresses that everyone must engage in their own step work to maintain the integrity and spirit of the community. His own story is a testament to this belief—he became a trusted chairman of his local AA group, took on step calls, brought people to meetings, and even helped start a new group. Gary also spent time visiting jails and hospitals to support those battling addiction. However, Gary doesn't shy away from discussing the hurdles AA faces today.
He observes that AA has sometimes become a catch-all for various skills and ambitions, losing its primary focus on helping alcoholics. He expresses concern over the decline in sponsorship and calls for a renewed commitment to this foundational element. Gary's insights serve as a wake-up call for all AA members, reminding them of the importance of service, sponsorship, and personal accountability. His experiences and reflections offer valuable lessons for anyone involved in or touched by the journey of recovery.