Very good . Couple of comments – getting people to put a dollar in the basket has been a problem forever – read the 12 x 12 on Tradition 7.
I would agree that in many cases the problem is people don’t think they are worth it, on the other hand I think some people have this sense of entitlement – I have actually had someone say once they figured they didn’t have to – the meetings were there to help them and he felt that it wasn’t necessary to pay for this gift. I tend to see the attitude of entitlement more in addicts than in alcoholics.
@Jean: Right on. Not to mention that people have been putting a dollar in the basket since I came around in the early eighties—but what can you buy with a dollar in 2011 after more than three decades of inflation? A five-spot would be more like it. On the other hand, I know people who spend millions to have a life-coach follow their druggie children around as a hedge against relapse. So running alongside the twelve-step cheapskate is the guy who thinks that the value of a thing, including recovery programs, is measured by how expensive it is.
All due respect, Mr. Lawford, but if AA/NA has survived this long with dictates on how much $$ to put in the basket, it will surly endure. One of the beauty’s of 12-step is there are “no dues or fees.” Please don’t start trying to reinvent the wheel just to conform to some inner new-age dogma. You simply cannot legislate certain things: Charity and Manners to name but two.
If a person is aware enough, sober enough, they can look around for good examples to follow. Which I believe recovery teaches us. It’s like the old saying, think globally act locally. If we can share in a loving manor our experience strength and hope, the details fall into place. Personally, I was so high on sobriety my first year or so, I kept uncovering discovery and discarding. I felt so good, I committed myself to improvement in the areas that blocked clarity, freedom and joy. I used to see no future and didn’t care. To learn to appreciate life again, see a future and want more…, takes time, work and faith. Let us “old timers” put in as much as we can. I have faith that when people “wake up” they “see” and contribute.
Just one afterthought on the above comment: I believe more focus and attention needs to be directed to the outside community in understanding the depth and gravity of addiction. We have made strides but if any area needs additional resources – it is in getting our message of recovery to the “Normies.”
{ 8 comments… read them below or add one }
Very good . Couple of comments – getting people to put a dollar in the basket has been a problem forever – read the 12 x 12 on Tradition 7.
I would agree that in many cases the problem is people don’t think they are worth it, on the other hand I think some people have this sense of entitlement – I have actually had someone say once they figured they didn’t have to – the meetings were there to help them and he felt that it wasn’t necessary to pay for this gift. I tend to see the attitude of entitlement more in addicts than in alcoholics.
@Jean: Right on. Not to mention that people have been putting a dollar in the basket since I came around in the early eighties—but what can you buy with a dollar in 2011 after more than three decades of inflation? A five-spot would be more like it. On the other hand, I know people who spend millions to have a life-coach follow their druggie children around as a hedge against relapse. So running alongside the twelve-step cheapskate is the guy who thinks that the value of a thing, including recovery programs, is measured by how expensive it is.
All due respect, Mr. Lawford, but if AA/NA has survived this long with dictates on how much $$ to put in the basket, it will surly endure. One of the beauty’s of 12-step is there are “no dues or fees.” Please don’t start trying to reinvent the wheel just to conform to some inner new-age dogma. You simply cannot legislate certain things: Charity and Manners to name but two.
Signed, Grateful for What IS
If a person is aware enough, sober enough, they can look around for good examples to follow. Which I believe recovery teaches us. It’s like the old saying, think globally act locally. If we can share in a loving manor our experience strength and hope, the details fall into place. Personally, I was so high on sobriety my first year or so, I kept uncovering discovery and discarding. I felt so good, I committed myself to improvement in the areas that blocked clarity, freedom and joy. I used to see no future and didn’t care. To learn to appreciate life again, see a future and want more…, takes time, work and faith. Let us “old timers” put in as much as we can. I have faith that when people “wake up” they “see” and contribute.
Just one afterthought on the above comment: I believe more focus and attention needs to be directed to the outside community in understanding the depth and gravity of addiction. We have made strides but if any area needs additional resources – it is in getting our message of recovery to the “Normies.”
Exactly. This is why Global Recovery Initiative is going to be introduced. Coming soon.
Great…. looking forward for it….
Best, Danilo
(Costa Rica)
Thank God. The frickin’ WORLD needs a 12-step program in my humble opinion.
Rock on, Chris.