Friends of Bill's topics - tribe.net

Try ... Friends of Bill W

Rossco — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 04:10:43 GMT

Hi guys, I have watched this site for ages waiting for some postings. Try Friends of Bill W, it seems where the activity is taking place.

cheers
Rossco

posted in Friends of Bill - 0 replies

Any body want to share tonight?

Rossco — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 13:48:16 GMT

Hi, I have been sober 17 months after a 30 year career drinking. Usual stuff, started because I felt different even as a little tacker. many good times over 30 years, but all the shit had alcohol associated with it. When the police came to my home after a mental breakdown and said they would take the kids I knew I was stuffed. I tried with every fibre in my body to give the grog away but failed after 4 days... the head said it was ok to drink again... well it wasn't ok, I knew it, but couldn't stop... it took another 6 months to get to AA in Melbourne Australia.... days turned into weeks and now months. I have a home group, a wonderful sponsor, do service work and have done my first pass at the steps. AA has given me a new life, a wonderful brand shiny new life which I will always be grateful for.

I would enjoy reading others brief shares when I come to the tribe at night. Hope to hear from you.

cheers from a grateful AA member

Rossco

posted in Friends of Bill - 3 replies

newbie tribe member

farewell and be well :^D — Tue, 24 Apr 2007 07:06:49 GMT

I'd like to introduce myself. My name is Daniel J. Thanks to a power greater than myself and the program and fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous, I have been able not to drink or use drugs, one day at a time for almost 7,000 days -- that's a little over nineteen years. I am very active in AA. I attend a meeting every day, work the 12 steps on a continuous basis, work with three sponsees and a number of newcomers, have a sponsor who has a sponsor, and I do my best to keep the Big Book a working part of my conscious mind. I read it a lot, and I love going to Big Book study meetings. I love Bill and Bob and all the Founders, and I think how hard they had to work to carry the message so that the hand of AA was there for me when I was ready to take it. I take this program very seriously because I have seen hundreds of times where this progressive and inevitably fatal disease takes us. To be doomed to an alcoholic death or to live on a spiritual basis are not always easy alternatives to face, I know; so I work very diligently with newcomers and other drunks. It's been my great privilege to have had the wonderful AAs in my life who have taught me everything that this hopeless, helpless drunk has needed to know about my life. And I still am loving every day of my sobriety, good and bad. I would never want to disappoint the Wilsons and the Smiths!

I look forward to getting to know you better. HOW, Dan

PS: please check out my sober spiritual blog, Vajra Surfers @ http://vajrasurfers.blogspot.com/

posted in Friends of Bill - 0 replies

hey what's going on for NYE????

dejableu — Thu, 28 Dec 2006 02:50:22 GMT

hey out there i'm looking for something cool, fun and sober to do for NYE if anyone knows anything PLEASE write back k

posted in Friends of Bill - 0 replies

Dr. Silkworth Birthday Celebration,

jamesptyler — Thu, 13 Jul 2006 15:51:44 GMT

Subject: Dr. Silkworth Birthday Celebration, W.Long Branch NJ, 7/22/06
(Update)

You are cordially invited to the third annual Dr. Silkworth birthday
celebration!

Saturday, July 22, 2006 at 3:00PM (rain date July 29, 2006)

At his gravesite in Glenwood Cemetery, Route 71 (Monmouth Rd.), West
Long Branch NJ.

Speakers: Barbara Silkworth (a family member) and Mitchell K. (author of
“How It Worked - The Story of Clarence H. Snyder & the Early Days of AA
in Cleveland”)

Dr. William Duncan Silkworth is the author of the two letters in the
“Doctor’s Opinion” in the Big Book “Alcoholics Anonymous” and is known as
a friend to millions of alcoholics worldwide. He worked with Bill Wilson, AA’s
co-founder in N.Y.C., after Bill finally got sober in 1934. He gave deep
understanding and great encouragement to an infant society in the days
when a lack of understanding or a word of discouragement might easily have
killed it. He freely risked his professional reputation to champion an
unprecedented spiritual answer to the medical enigma and the human
tragedy of alcoholism. Without his blessing, our faith might well have died in
its birth. He was a luminous exception to the rule that only an alcoholic
understands an alcoholic. He knew us better than we knew ourselves,
better than we know each other. Many of us felt that his medical skill, great
as that was, was not at all the full measure of his stature. Dr. Silkworth
was something that it is difficult even to mention in these days. He was a
saintly man. He stood in an unusual relationship to truth. He was able
to see the truth of a man, when that truth was deeply hidden from the man
himself and from everyone else. He was able to save lives that were
otherwise beyond help of any kind. Such a man cannot really die. We wish
to honor this man, a gentle doctor with white hair and china blue eyes.

Dr. Silkworth lived on Chelsea Avenue in Long Branch, attended Long
Branch High School where he has been inducted in that school’s Hall of Fame,
graduated from Princeton University, and lived for a while in Little
Silver. He was born on July 22, 1873 and died on March 22, 1951.

PLEASE BE SURE TO BRING A LAWN CHAIR OR SOMETHING TO SIT ON.
If you have any questions please call Barefoot Bill at 201-232-8749
(cell).

Directions:
Take the Garden State Parkway (north or south) to Exit 105 (Route 36),
continue on Route 36 approximately 2.5 to 3 miles through 5 traffic
lights (passing Monmouth Mall, two more shopping plazas, and several automobile
dealerships). Watch for green road signs stating “Route 71 South, West
Long Branch and Asbury Park” (this is before the sixth light). Take this
Turnoff to the right, past Carriage Square and bear right onto Route 71
(Monmouth Road.) Glenwood Cemetery appears very quickly on the left. The entrance
is marked by two stone pillars and the name. Once inside the cemetery,
bear left, go up the hill and make the first right (a hard right). The
gravesite is near the first tree on the right.

posted in Friends of Bill - 0 replies

clean and sober camp out

sandy_hall — Mon, 26 Jun 2006 00:39:49 GMT

E-Z RIDERS Motorcycle Club is hosting a clean and sober campout weekend July 28-29-30, 2006
flyer -- ez-riders.net/BIGSURRUN/RunFlyer06.pdf
web site -- ez-riders.net/
pictures of last year -- ez-riders.net/pictures/bi...run2005.html

last year it was a lot of fun. hope some tribe folks can join us.

thanks

posted in Friends of Bill - 0 replies

Clean & Sober Burning Man Theme Camp presents POLYESTER - March 31

Jefferson — Mon, 13 Mar 2006 17:27:51 GMT

Camp Stella (a queer friendly clean and sober theme camp) will be hosting a fundraiser on March 31st.

John Waters' POLYESTER - Filmed in Odorama
Scratch-n-sniff Odorama card provided while supplies last.

43 Dore Street, San Francisco
Festivities begin @ 9:30
(8:00 Camp Stella AA Meeting Open to All)

$12 (only $10 if wearing Polyester)
Free Scratch-n-sniff odorama card, popcorn, and beverages (while supplies last)

The film will be followed by a disco explosion.

www.CampStella.com for more information.

posted in Friends of Bill - 1 reply

Buddhist help to help yourself...

anastajah — Thu, 29 Dec 2005 00:55:41 GMT

Here are some fundamental characteristics of human development that lead to resilience, vitality, inner stability, and peace of mind:

We move from reliance on external authority to an internal center of resonance & wisdom based on observation, experimentation, and experience.
We bring fascination, curiosity, and interest to all aspects of our lives & to relationships. We are comfortable with differences, and are able to reflect on our own feelings, thoughts, and emotional reactions.
We take personal responsibility for our internal experience - we realize we create our own feelings of anger, contempt, and judgments with our demands that situations & people be different than they are. We cease blaming or making up excuses & reasons for our problems.
We see situations & people as they truly are & make our decisions based on current reality, not our hopes that people will change.
We become increasingly able to attune & resonate with our internal world - including our thoughts, feelings, and emotions. This ability to go deeply within ourselves decreases our need for either disassociation or external stimulation to relieve emptiness & boredom.
We realize that we are not our "minds," we are not all the teachings that have been put there. We exist beyond these teaching as essence.
We develop the will to do the things we know will help us feel stronger, healthier, more alive, and connected to others.
We develop the ability to self-soothe & calm ourselves when we are alone or with other people.
Our living becomes more congruent with our beliefs.
Our relationships become more authentic, trusting, open, and valued.
We are able to give & receive care, friendship, and support.
We accept the ever-changing nature of all life. The challenge of empowerment.
We affirm we have the power to take charge of our lives & stop being dependent on substances or other people for our self-esteem & security.
Alternative: We admit we were out of control with/powerless over _________ yet have the power to take charge of our lives & stop being dependent on substances or other people for our self-esteem & security.
We come to believe that we have the ability to develop our inner resources through a process of learning, exploration, daily practice, diligence, self reflection, and supportive relationships with others. (This is a new version of this step)
We make a decision to become our authentic selves & trust in the healing power of the truth.
We examine our beliefs, addictions, and dependent behavior in the context of living in a hierarchal, patriarchal culture.
We share with another person all the things inside of us for which we feel shame & guilt.
We affirm & enjoy our strengths, talents, and creativity.
We become willing to let go of guilt, shame, and any behavior that keeps us from accepting ourselves & others.
We make a list of people we have harmed & people who have harmed us, and take steps to clear out negative feelings by making amends & sharing our grievances in a respectful way.
We express love & gratitude to others, and increasingly appreciate the wonder of life & the blessings we do have.
We continue to trust our reality & daily affirm that we see what we see, we know what we know & we feel what we feel.
We promptly acknowledge mistakes & make amends when appropriate, but we do not say we are sorry for things we have not done & we do not cover up, analyze, or take responsibility for the shortcomings of others.
We seek out situations, jobs, and people who affirm our intelligence, perceptions, and self-worth & avoid situations or people who are hurtful, harmful, or demeaning to us.
We take steps to heal our physical bodies, organize our lives, reduce stress, and have fun.
We seek to find our inward calling, and develop the will & wisdom to follow it.
We accept that change, loss, death, and re-birth are part of the natural flow of life.
We grow in awareness that we are interrelated with all living things, and we contribute to restoring peace & balance on the planet.
This is active meditation, not medication with endless meetings for life that are depressing and disempowering. Without knowing this particular technique, I started to do something similar. Then, when I went to AA just for fun, I was so sad to see that people had to admit to being powerless to get to the first step. I never took that 1st step, I ran! I dosed myself with nutrition, love, silence, self sourcing. I quit sugar, caffeine, smoking all with ease. Not to mention my unmentionable ellicit illegal drug taking for like 16 years! And alcohol. I later found this, which is a more empowering 12 step for Buddhists.
BODHI'S BUDDHIST NON-THEISTIC 12 STEPS:

1. We admitted our addictive craving over alcohol, and recognised its consequences in our lives.
2. Came to believe that a power other than self could restore us to wholeness.
3. Made a decision to go for refuge to this other power as we understood it.
4. Made a searching and fearless moral inventory of ourselves.
5. Admitted to ourselves and another human being the exact moral nature of our past.
6. Became entirely ready to work at transforming ourselves.
7. With the assistance of others and our own firm resolve, we transformed unskilful aspects of ourselves and cultivated positive ones.
8. Made a list of all persons we had harmed.
9. Made direct amends to such people where possible, except when to do so would injure them or others. In addition, made a conscientious effort to forgive all those who harmed us.
10. Continue to maintain awareness of our actions and motives, and when we acted unskilfuly promptly admitted it.
11. Engaged through the practise of meditation to improve our conscious contact with our true selves, and seeking that beyond self. Also used prayer as a means to cultivate postive attitudes and states of mind.
12. Having gained spiritual insight as a result of these steps, we practise these principles in all areas of our lives, and make this message available to others in need of recovery\

The 12 Steps of Liberation
>>>>>Said another way:

1. The truth of suffering. We experienced the truth of our addictions – our lives
were unmanageable suffering.

2. The truth of the origin of suffering. We admit that we craved for and grasped
onto addictions as our refuge.

3. The truth of the end of suffering. We came to see that complete cessation of
craving and clinging at addictions is necessary.

4. The truth of the path. We made a decision to follow the way of liberation and
to take refuge in our wakefulness, our truth, and our fellowship.

5. Right view. We made a searching and fearless review of our life. We are
willing to acknowledge and proclaim our truth to ourselves, another human
being and the community.

6. Right thought. We are mindful that we create the causes for suffering and
liberation. Our goodness is indestructible.

7. Right speech. We purify, confess and ask for forgiveness straightforwardly
and without judgment. We are willing to forgive others.

8. Right action. We make a list of all persons we harm and are willing and able
to actively make amends to them all, unless to do so would be harmful.

9. Right livelihood. We simplify our lives, realizing we are all interconnected.
We select a vocation that supports our recovery.

10. Right effort. We realize that continuing to follow this path, no matter what, is
joyful effort.

11. Right mindfulness. Through prayer, meditation and action we will follow the
path of kindness, being mindful moment by moment.

12. Right concentration. Open to the spirit of awakening as a result of these steps,
we will carry this message to all people suffering with addictions.

We move from reliance on external authority to an internal center of resonance & wisdom based on observation, experimentation, and experience.
We bring fascination, curiosity, and interest to all aspects of our lives & to relationships. We are comfortable with differences, and are able to reflect on our own feelings, thoughts, and emotional reactions.
We take personal responsibility for our internal experience - we realize we create our own feelings of anger, contempt, and judgments with our demands that situations & people be different than they are. We cease blaming or making up excuses & reasons for our problems.
We see situations & people as they truly are & make our decisions based on current reality, not our hopes that people will change.
We become increasingly able to attune & resonate with our internal world - including our thoughts, feelings, and emotions. This ability to go deeply within ourselves decreases our need for either disassociation or external stimulation to relieve emptiness & boredom.
We realize that we are not our "minds," we are not all the teachings that have been put there. We exist beyond these teaching as essence.
We develop the will to do the things we know will help us feel stronger, healthier, more alive, and connected to others.
We develop the ability to self-soothe & calm ourselves when we are alone or with other people.
Our living becomes more congruent with our beliefs.
Our relationships become more authentic, trusting, open, and valued.
We are able to give & receive care, friendship, and support.
We accept the ever-changing nature of all life. The challenge of empowerment.

And I also like the Native medicine wheel way. That really puts it into perspective! I think that having these substance abuse problems actually enhanced my life.

posted in Friends of Bill - 0 replies

AA Hospitality....

Mon, 28 Mar 2005 02:37:24 GMT

It means more than popularity.....This is an oldie but a goodie.....

I know who you are. You are "X" who attends the ABC Meeting
at the XYZ Club where AA's meet in Anywhere, U.S.A.

I saw you there the other night at the eight o'clock meeting.
I don't know how long you've been clean, but I know you've been
coming around for a while because you spoke to a lot of people
who knew you. I wasn't one of them.

You don't know who I am. I wandered into your meeting place
alone the other night, a stranger in a strange town. I got a cup of
coffee, and sat down by myself. You didn't speak to me.

Oh, you saw me. You glanced my way, but you didn't recognize
me, so you quickly averted your eyes and sought out a familiar face.
I sat there through the meeting.

It was okay, a slightly different format but basically the same
kind of meeting as the one I go to at home.

The topic was gratitude. You and your friends spoke about how
much AA means to you. You talked about the camaraderie in your
meeting place. You said how much the people there had helped you
when you first came through the door how they extended the hand
of friendship to make you feel welcome, and asked you to come back.
And I wondered where they had gone, those nice people who made
your entrance so welcoming and so comfortable.

You talked about how the newcomer is the life blood of AA. I
agree, but I didn't say so. In fact, I didn't share in your meeting.
I signed my name in the book that was passed around, but the
chairperson didn't refer to it. He only called on those people in the
room whom he knew. So who am I? You don't know, because you didn't
bother to find out. Although yours was a closed meeting, you didn't
even ask if I belonged there.

It might have been my first meeting. I could have been full of
fear and distrust, knowing AA wouldn't work any better than
anything else I'd tried, and I would have left convinced that I
was right. I might have been suicidal, grasping at one last straw,
hoping someone would reach out and pull me from the pit of loathing
and self-pity from which, by myself, I could find no escape.

I might have been a student with a tape recorder in my pocket,
assigned to write a paper on how AA works - someone who shouldn't
have been permitted to sit there at all but could have been directed
to an open meeting to learn what I needed to know.

Or I could have been sent by the courts, wanting to know more, but
afraid to ask. It happens that I was none of the above.

I was just an ordinary addict with a few years of clean living in AA who
was traveling and was in need of a meeting.

My only problem that night was that I'd been alone with my own mind
too long. I just needed to touch base with my AA family.

I know from past experience that I could have walked into your
meeting place smiling, stuck out my hand to the first person I saw
and said, "Hi. My name is - . I'm an alcoholic from - ."If I'd felt like
doing that, I probably would have been warmly welcomed. You would
have asked me if I knew Old So-and-so from my state, or you might
have shared a part of your drunk-a-log that occurred in my part of
the country. Why didn't I? I was hungry, lonely, and tired. The only
thing missing was angry, but three out of four isn't a good place for
me to be.

So I sat silently through your meeting, and when it was over I
watched enviously as all of you gathered in small groups, talking
to one another the same way we do in my home town.

You and some of your friends were planning a meeting after the
meeting at a nearby coffee shop. By this time I had been silent too
long to reach out to you. I stopped by the bulletin board to read the
notices there, kind of hanging around without being too obvious,
hoping you might ask if I wanted to join you, but you didn't.

As I walked slowly across the parking lot to my car with the
out-of-state license plates you looked my way again. Our eyes
met briefly and I mustered a smile. Again, you looked away.
I buckled my seat belt, started the car, and drove to the motel
where I was staying.

As I lay in my bed waiting for sleep to come, I made a gratitude
list. You were on it, along with your friends at the meeting place.
I knew that you were there for me, and that I needed you far more
than you needed me. I knew that if I had needed help, and had asked
for it, you would have gladly given it. But I wondered . . . what if I hadn't
been able to ask?

I know who you are.

Do you remember me?

posted in Friends of Bill - 7 replies

One Show At A Time tribe

valleyofthegun — Tue, 23 Aug 2005 05:25:21 GMT

Hi, I am Jerry, sober over 3.5 yrs and smoke free about 8 months, yeeha! I am also the AZ wharf rat rep. Check out the One Show At A Time tribe!

posted in Friends of Bill - 0 replies

Tucson, AZ

Dorty — Mon, 18 Apr 2005 13:49:26 GMT

I am going to a hotel in Tucson on Wednesday night staying until May 2, is there anyone from Tribe around that area? Would love some AA hookups, I got the intergroup number and all but would be cool to chat with someone prior to that... let me know...
Orange

posted in Friends of Bill - 1 reply

finally made it back

MathewGladfelter — Sun, 17 Apr 2005 18:41:00 GMT

I have a whopping 9 days sober today, the longest time i have had in quite a while. i am going to meetings every day. thank the good lord that is ever present for answering my prayers and helping me to wake up, putting people serendepitiously in my live to lead me here.the only thing that the reasearch has showed me is that it only gets worse. thanks everyone for being here even if you dont know it. I would love to make more sober friends too......

big smile:)
~M

posted in Friends of Bill - 19 replies

Dues Paid up!!!

caguide — Sun, 26 Jun 2005 17:44:59 GMT

There is an outside issue raging on the tv news regarding a famous actor and the organization he belongs to in reagrds to such things as psychiatry, treatment and meds etc. Well, after I began to get sober in AA they passed the basket for the group to pay expenses of course (self supporting) and no one told me that I got there by being "Lazy or ignorant of some type of philosophy or methodolgy" I wound up in the "rooms" (no one finds these funny liitle clubs and church basements by "accident") since I had hit bottom and wanted to stop hurting! I discovered beside the physical, I had a disease which affected me mentally and spiritually (not "religiously" religious belief or lack of it not a requirement for membership only a DESIRE to stop drinking and or using!!)
No one asked for money at the door or after the meeting..however they did suggest I take the cotton of my ears and put it in my big mouth for a while! I was told I had paid my dues during my drinking days!!! (No dues or fees)
After I was diagnosed with a disorder other than alcholism, a sponsor who was also a professional in the field of Substance Abuse and Treatment REFERRED ME to not one but 2 physician specialists, but never charged me for this service nor ordered me to take this medication or not. I realize today had I not I may have gone out of control and picked up a drink!
Without the support of AA and the people in it, not only in the US but in a foreign country as well, I doubt if I would be sitting here today typing this tome of gratitude, I probalbly would be in an institution or perhaps in jail or dead, who knows? There but for the Grace of G-d Go I.
Who cares then what some talking head says on the news, I know in my heart what is right living and right (not stinking) thinking for me..Just for Today!!!!!!

PS Read the "promises" of AA every day from the Big Book..it is amazing what two "drunks" with humility and a sense of humor started in 1935!

PS the "sponsor" I referred to above knew Bill W. from 1958, when this amn cane into AA till 1971 when Bill passed away...in 1959 this person told Bill he was an atheist and "different" and could not work "these Steps"..asked Bill..what can I do to stay sober? Bill thenpicked up a Big Book and signed it thus.. J--- simply "Pass it On"..Bill W. Well J--- passed it on for 29 years and died sober!

If you have a drinking problem..then you are are in the right place! KISS (keep it simple stupid)!

posted in Friends of Bill - 0 replies

Dr. Bob's Humility

Sun, 03 Apr 2005 01:58:33 GMT

"Perpetual quietness of heart. It is to have no trouble. It is never to be fretted or vexed, irritable or sore; to wonder at nothing that is done to me, to feel nothing done against me. It is to be at rest when nobody praises me, and when I am blamed or despised, it is to have a blessed home in myself where I can go in and shut the door and kneel to my Father in secret and be at peace, as in a deep sea of calmness, when all around and about is seeming trouble."

*These words appeared on a plaque on Dr. Bob's desk to pinpoint his views of humility.

posted in Friends of Bill - 1 reply

Giving your chips away....

Fri, 01 Apr 2005 04:01:40 GMT

Has anyone ever given or received a chip that belonged to someone else ?

I know many people who will give a sponsee one of their chips from previous years. My three year chip actually came from a very good friend of mine.

When I first heard of this practice, I thought "wow...that is really touching." Especially those that have a great deal of time and are passing on a chip that has a history. Another friend of mine was given his sponsors one year chip, which belonged to his sponsor, ......etc etc etc.

Now that I some sobriety gold, I find myself not so readily thinking of giving them away. Not because I don't wish to share, but because it is a reminder of where "I" have been. In handing my chip over to another, it is almost as if I am imparting my sobriety on them, instead of celebrating theirs. They are receiving their chip based on their contact with a HP and how that worked in their life. I say all this and to be honest, I don't have enough chips to give away to everyone anyway, since I don't get collect them from multiple meetings.

Right now all of mine are actually in my son's cash register. People gasp when I tell them that, but to me, they are right where they belong. As long as I keep putting them in, my family stays in business !

What are your views on lineage chips ?

posted in Friends of Bill - 8 replies

just joined--I have a question!??

john — Tue, 31 May 2005 15:25:59 GMT

just joined wanted to say hi. celebrated 2 years last month-starting to feel better! Got a question--I'm trying to locate a friend who's in the program--her name is Amy W. last i know was living in Louisville -- Any ideas on how to find her--she always sent me a christmas card and was trying to get me to check out a meeting-- now that i'm finally sober i would love to talk with her. if anybody has any ideas please let me know...

posted in Friends of Bill - 1 reply

Desert Pow Wow

Rogue14 — Mon, 30 May 2005 16:44:56 GMT

Just got back from the Pow Wow and feel re energized! Man I cnat belive how disconnected I can feel sometimes and the how muich a weekend of recovery can help. Amazing!

posted in Friends of Bill - 0 replies

To Let Go

cheryllala — Sun, 08 May 2005 14:46:29 GMT

To "let go" does not mean to stop caring. It means I can't do it for someone else.

To "let go" is not to cut myself off. It's the realization that I can't control another.

To "let go" is to admit powerlessness, which means the outcome is not in my hands.

To "let go" is not to try to change or blame another. It's to make the most of myself.

To "let go" is not to take care of, but to care about.

To "let go" is not to fix, but to be supportive.

To "let go" is not to judge, but to allow another to be a human being.

To "let go" is not to be in the middle, arranging all the outcomes, but to allow others to affect their own destinies.

To "let go" is not to deny, but to accept.

To "let go" is not to nag, scold, or argue, but instead to search out my own shortcomings and correct them.

To "let go" is not to adjust everything to my desires, but to take each day as it comes and cherish myself in it.

To "let go" is not to regret the past, but to grow and live for the future.

To "let go" is to fear less and to love more.

posted in Friends of Bill - 4 replies

1 Year B-Day Today!

arielarchaicflame — Thu, 05 May 2005 21:51:55 GMT

Today I am 1 year clean and sober. My first year clean and sober a day I never thought I would talking about and celebrating.

Hugs,

Sincerly,
Ariel Archaicflame

posted in Friends of Bill - 5 replies

Happy Sober Weekend to all....

caguide — Fri, 29 Apr 2005 22:49:40 GMT

For me weekends and holidays were the worst to get through..I still get the "blues" on Sunday. Outside North america this is Labor Day May 1 weekend..falls on a Sunday this year lucky me!

posted in Friends of Bill - 2 replies

HOW IT WORKS-NEW TRIBE

Mon, 29 Mar 2004 18:20:34 GMT

Hi folks, I've started a new tribe called How it Works. A recovery tribe for those of us in recovery or desiring recovery from drugs and/or alcohol. Please join us at howitworks.tribe.net! We need you...

Kathleen

posted in Friends of Bill - 9 replies

Chip suggestion

BernieD — Tue, 05 Apr 2005 07:31:48 GMT

One lil saying that goes around some meetings I go to.

Said to newcommers taking a newcommer's chip...

"When you get the urge to drink/toke/snort/use put this chip in your mouth and suck on it. When it disolves, then you can get drunk/high."

Tahnk you for letting me share. :P

posted in Friends of Bill - 1 reply

Daily Reflection for 3/28

Mon, 28 Mar 2005 01:54:07 GMT

EQUALITY

Our membership ought to include all who suffer from alcoholism. Hence we may refuse none who wish to recover. Nor ought the AA name ever depend upon money or conformity. Any two or three alcoholics gathered together for sobriety may call themselves an AA group, provided that, as a group, they have no other affiliations.

Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 565

Prior to AA, I often felt that I didn't "fit in" with the people around me. Usually "they" had more/less money than I did, and my points of view didn't jibe with "theirs". The amount of prejudice I had experienced in society only proved to me just how phoney some self-rightous people were. After joining AA, I found the way of life I had been searching for. In AA no member is better than any other member; we're just alcoholics trying to recover from alcoholism.

DR pg 96

posted in Friends of Bill - 1 reply

Opinions....

Sun, 27 Mar 2005 00:23:53 GMT

What do you guys think about the posting and discussion of the passage from the Daily Reflections ? Is it something you read and would you participate if we did it here ?

posted in Friends of Bill - 6 replies

new to recovery

merle — Sun, 20 Mar 2005 18:00:54 GMT

help, feel like s..t need lots of friends

posted in Friends of Bill - 2 replies

Anybody in NJ,NY,or PA

Tue, 23 Nov 2004 19:54:17 GMT

I'm new to Tribe.net and looking for Friends Of Bill in the above specified states.
I'd love to hear from anybody out there...

posted in Friends of Bill - 2 replies

Friends of Lois W.

cheryllala — Tue, 22 Feb 2005 15:41:21 GMT

Hi all,

Just wanted to let you know I started a new Tribe:

AlanonFamilyGroups.tribe.net

For those interested in Al-Anon, the Al-Anon program, and in recovery for families and friends of Alcoholics/Addicts in general.

"Al-Anon has but one purpose: to help families of alcoholics. We do this by practicing the Twelve Steps ourselves, by welcoming and giving comfort to families of alcoholics, and by giving understanding and encouragement to the alcoholic."

Check it out!

Regards,

CherylR
Long Beach

posted in Friends of Bill - 0 replies

Where your Doggs' At??!!!

dejableu — Wed, 16 Feb 2005 00:05:45 GMT

come check out a new tribe all about Dogs and their Pets (us)

DogTownandPets.tribe.net

hope to see you all there
~a friend of Bill's and a dog lover

posted in Friends of Bill - 0 replies

Desert Pow Wow

Rogue14 — Sat, 12 Feb 2005 23:34:52 GMT

This is a fun convention, actually the best I have been too.....
www.desertpowwow.com.........see ya in May!

posted in Friends of Bill - 0 replies

Intro Post

Alecs — Wed, 01 Sep 2004 20:34:02 GMT

Hey!

My name is Alecs, 23, from San Francisco CA, just celebrated 90 days on Monday, and I'm new to the tribe.

I came because next to the steps (but pretty close to them), fellowship for me is the most important thing towards recovery. I'm in a bunch of other healing related tribes and have met a whole buch of cool people, so that's just what I wanna keep doing.

That's it.

PS: I moderated a sobriety and recovery focused tribe called No Booze for Meee, so if folks are interested, come chheck it out.

I'm glad to be here.

posted in Friends of Bill - 3 replies

Hello everyone

arielarchaicflame — Thu, 02 Sep 2004 19:12:43 GMT

Hi my name is Ariel I'm 20 and live in SF and an Alcoholic AND an Addict. I'm new to this tribe, love the name though, and know what it's all about, I just celebrated a birthday as well, I hit my 4 month mark on the 30th of Augest, and am well on my way. Glad to be here, and ironically my initials are A.A. hehe.

posted in Friends of Bill - 1 reply

FYI---Spirit of SF 12th Annual Convention

Mitsilyn — Tue, 03 Aug 2004 20:13:26 GMT

is Labor Day weekend, September 3rd to 5th, 2004, at Ramada Plaza Hotel 1231 Market St @8th St., San Francisco

www.spirit-sf.org/convention.html

AA Convention with Al-Anon Participation

There will be workshops*marathon meetings*service panels*AA speaker meetings*Friday night entertainment*Sat night dance

register before this Friday, August 6 and receive $5 off!
registration $25
early bird discount before Aug 6, -5
Total registration before Aug 6, $20

Banquet dinner (optional) $35

online registration is easy!
www.spirit-sf.org/registeronline.html

or download flyer:
www.spirit-sf.org/2004spiritflyer.pdf

convenient public and BART transportation around SF, to and from SF and Oakland airports

posted in Friends of Bill - 4 replies

Happy birthday to me!

Jim — Sat, 10 Jan 2004 22:31:46 GMT

I'm taking a cake at Camarillo tonight and Toluca Lake speakers mtg. tommorow. I am 2. Hooray

posted in Friends of Bill - 5 replies

I got my year (again) on 12/25 !!!!!!

melody — Sun, 04 Jan 2004 17:55:43 GMT

Life is GOOD !

posted in Friends of Bill - 4 replies

?

Singin' Bill — Thu, 22 Jan 2004 10:12:30 GMT

what you too?!
theres, what, four FOB tribes, and *NONE* of them is for me?!

why don't you guys all go to *one* of them, and let me have one of the rest..

posted in Friends of Bill - 2 replies

Movin to Dallas

Brucifertdl — Tue, 13 Jan 2004 17:11:48 GMT

Anybody know of any good Big Book study meetings in Dallas? any good meetings at all?

posted in Friends of Bill - 0 replies

hi everyone

MathewGladfelter — Sat, 27 Dec 2003 04:12:30 GMT

i live in seattle, and would like to build a support system, meet artists,burners,passionate people who.....dont get fucked up.

posted in Friends of Bill - 4 replies

56 new friends....

Bill — Fri, 19 Dec 2003 21:04:19 GMT

cool i didnt know i had a new fan club

posted in Friends of Bill - 3 replies

Merry Christmas

ejh61801 — Wed, 24 Dec 2003 07:14:26 GMT

Uptight before Christmas, all through these rooms
alcoholics were stricken with holiday gloom.
They prayed, "Santa, please make us happy, joyous and free,
bring us candy and presents and serenity."

Greed filled their minds and envy their hearts
and someone said, "It's time
for the meeting to start!"
"Does anyone have a topic to discuss tonight?"

Every face in the place turned wintery white!
They lost all self-seeking, self-pity, self-will
when down through the chimney
came the ghost of St. Bill!

Then he looked through a Big Book
and said with a tear,
"Wow! No one rewrote this
after all these years! "

Clean house, help your neighbor,
be loving and kind,
and don't take the first drink
one day at a time."

"How could a message
as simple as this
be realized, analyzed and
intellectually dismissed?"

There lies the reason
this ghost has arrived:
to re-give a gift
that has saved all your lives!

The ghost of Bill W. said,
"The first word of the first step is 'we'.
I suggest you start there and see where you go.
Be thorough and fearless, and please-take it slow!

Let faith set the tone,
let love make the mood.
And as for a topic...
how about gratitude?

Just don't drink, go to meetings and pray
and be glad you're alive and sober today.
Be a good woman, be a good man
and be of service whenever you can.

Be a good mother, be a good dad
try to be good to your kids when they're bad.
Be a good husband, be a good wife...
Happy Holidays to all, and to all a good life!"

--Author Unknown

posted in Friends of Bill - 0 replies

Free AA Speaker tapes online

Chaya — Sun, 14 Dec 2003 18:39:34 GMT

http://www.elmoware.com/spktapes.htm#LIST

there is additional links for AA speeches from our founders and also links for NA speaker tapes for those interested.
Enjoy!

posted in Friends of Bill - 1 reply

Hi! My name's Jason...

runswithscissors — Sat, 08 Nov 2003 05:09:11 GMT

and I'm an alchoholic. I've been clean and sober since June 4th, 1997. I live in LA. I work at night in bars, so I don't make it to too many meetings anymore. I try to hit the daytime ones, but am looking for more sober friends wherever I can find them.

posted in Friends of Bill - 3 replies

hey we are all starting a non area specific YPAA tribe

Buddha — Fri, 05 Dec 2003 06:51:58 GMT

tribeypaa

posted in Friends of Bill - 0 replies

WACYPAA 7

ejh61801 — Wed, 12 Nov 2003 16:12:43 GMT

We're only 15 days away from the 7th Western Area Conference for Young People in AA! Come join us Thanksgiving weekend in San Diego, CA...We'll have tons of meetings, fun, and fellowship! That includes Al-anon, Al-teen, Native American, Gay/Lesbian, and Spanish meetings; bands, bouncy boxing, big book trivia, and much more...We're also having a General Service workshop with a few of our members from the office in NYC, including the editor of the grapevine!
Check it out...
www.wacypaa.org

posted in Friends of Bill - 1 reply

I just moved to Oakland

Fri, 14 Nov 2003 10:01:25 GMT

Well everyone,
I recently moved to Oakland from San Diego - no I didn't start no fires! I have gone to a few meeting in San Francisco, but I don't have a car or job and am looking for anyone near Fruitvale (35th & Foothill to be exact) that would like/or be willing to have a tag-along. I have almost 26 months (over 2 years) of Sobriety and I am still in close contact with my SD sponser but am looking for a local one as well. God's grace has been carrying me greatly, but now I need to ask for the help of the Fellowship.

Carl E.

posted in Friends of Bill - 0 replies

29th Annual SFV AA Convention

Matthew — Wed, 12 Nov 2003 06:35:13 GMT

At the Hilton Burbank Airport & Convention Center
www.sfvaaconvention.com
818.734.0383
Golf, Dancing, Meetings, food, spirituality, AA, Al-anon, Alateen

posted in Friends of Bill - 0 replies

Speaker "tape" Site

dij — Mon, 10 Nov 2003 21:06:09 GMT

http://www.xa-speakers.org

has a pretty good collection of speaker "tapes" for your FREE download or listening pleasure.

pass it on.

posted in Friends of Bill - 0 replies

WTF

Jim — Thu, 23 Oct 2003 02:04:42 GMT

What is this tribe? Do you guys discuss anything? Do I have the wrong Bill? It is Bill W, right? The doughboy in the picture. How bout some love, man. You all like to isolate or what? Come on people. Who started this shit?

posted in Friends of Bill - 5 replies

Old tribes, New tribes

Jim — Fri, 17 Oct 2003 00:45:43 GMT

I used to qualify for The Beer Drinkers tribe. In fact there are photos of me in there somewhere. But I like this newer tribe I'm in. Hope to see some of you around the So Cal area. I go out to see Music all the time. I know some peeps have trouble with that. You could always meet up with me if youlike punk cause I'll prolly be there. Jimbo,out

posted in Friends of Bill - 0 replies