The 12-step meeting is the heart of recovery. In the early 1930's, after years of anguish and an inability to stay sober two men Bill W and Dr Bob came together by chance. After hours of conversation and an ability to relate to one another, only as to addicts can, the first meeting was established. Much of what they spoke in that initial meeting evolved into the 164 page book that has become a spiritual path of 12-step recovery. Subsequently, countless recovery groups and organizations have adapted and manipulated the 12-steps in order to heal and grow.
The meeting themselves, however, are the soul of recovery. The ability to listen and relate to others has a unique power of acceptance from the diseased mind. For me, listening to the newcomer talk about his fear and incomprehensible demoralization is an essential part of my recovery. My addict brain, even in recovery, wants to forget about what it was like and only remember the fun times. When I hear someone talking about the darkness it brings me right back to the horrors I experienced. This is why recovery and more importantly meetings are a life long necessity. The most common statement from someone that has relapsed is "I stopped going to meetings."
One reason the meetings work is due to the structure. Often times, a selected person shares his or her story, a topic is chosen, then others are called on to share about how they relate to the topic. The key is how one relates to the others story and NOT to give an opinion. Crosstalk is forbidden. Thus one can not directly comment to another. Furthermore, we talk about REAL life problems and solutions in these rooms- hardship, happiness, loss, death, fear, spirituality, honesty, choices, consequences, accountability and service to name a few. Over time, I have formed an unspoken bond of trust and love with folks I know only by first name. Trusting people from all walks of life with my inner thoughts and feelings has given me an incredible freedom and peace I didn't believe was obtainable while using.
It seems odd- a bunch of fragile, broken, and self-centered addicts coming together to talk about their feelings and a common solution, but it works. Many don't realize that a lot of catch phrases were spawned in the 12-steps rooms such as- One day at a Time, Easy Does it, Don't Sweat the Small Stuff, Higher Power and countless more. Moreover, I've heard some crazy and often times funny shit. Here is a sampling of a few highlights:
-"I describe my drinking as emotional violence with an occasional stab at the physical."
-"I lived in a family of secrets and was a lamb to the slaughter because both of my parents were drunks."
-"I have an alcohol love story."
-"I tried hard to move from a dysfunctional alcoholic to a functioning alcoholic."
-"When I took that first drink I realized what I was missing."
-"I'm the only person I know that in my drinking rage put 10 bullet holes in my hot tub."
-"I walked around with a cosmic turd of shit."
-"The only time I'm dishonest is in Front of the judge."
-I may have been in a Muslim country but I found the alcohol.
-You can't be to dumb for this program but you can be too smart.
-My mind in a nutshell can be summed up as the the train leaving the station but the circus is still in town.
-My idea of a relationship was: I'll bring the coke you bring the blow
-Whats cheaper... A divorce or being right?
-I quit everything but beer...obviously it didn't work because I'm here.
-The 1st time I went to rehab I decided if I just don't smoke crack I'll be okay.... so naturally, started smoking pot
-Problem was..I threw the empties in the snow but which meant I was fucked in the spring."
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-"Lets just say I have a wandering arm for alcohol."
-"I didn't want to go to meetings because I heard there were people there."
-"Family.....Well lets say no one pushes your buttons as well as those who helped install them.
-"The greatest gift in In recovery is I've grown from suicidal to homicidal"
Notes From The Culinary Addict:
Yogism From Sara Rose (my teacher): Find patience in your your breath
Recent 12-step Quote: "I finally settled on Jack Daniels in my 40's."
-There are over 800 12-step meetings a week in the Portland area
-After WWI psychologists were dumbfounded how to treat shell-shocked veterans. They noticed those who smoked were getting better. Of course, It took them a while to figure out that it wasn't the cigarettes rather the fact that they were relating/conversing with fellow shell-shocked peers. Thus, it was their ability to talk about their experiences and FEELINGS that aided to their cure. This philosophy was adapted by Bill W.
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- I want to thank everyone for making November's
boke bowldinner a huge success, and THANK YOU to those that waited 1.5 hrs plus. We are taking December off because our other jobs are sooo busy but will be back in January with a new location. Go to boke bowl blog for updates
Quotes From The Kitchen:
These are all from Jake..the new kitchen comedian:
- "NO, I REALY REALLY LOVE blue cheese."
"Chef, their all crazy (woman), it comes down to the emotional vs. the rational, and there is a HUGE sliding scale of rationality."
-"Chef, I have a few Chinese Proverbs for you....
1. "Woman who put man in the dog house... end up in the Cat House."
2. "Man who stand on toilet...high on pot."
3. "Treat them like dirt...they stick like mud."
Search Engine Terms(words that lead someone to this blog for whatever reason) "wasted Santa pictures"
Band Name of Week: Meat Candy
Present Pandora Selection: Hank Williams III
Tags: 12-step meeting, RECOVERY, santa