One of the things I learned early on was that anything I said in a
meeting was fair game. People were going to comment on what I said
from time to time and I may not like what they had to say. Learning
how to apply the 12 steps to ones' life is not without a few bumps,
scrapes and bruises. I had to learn some hard lessons in life and
the rooms of AA.

What is the purpose of AA meetings anyway? The purpose of a group is
the teaching of the 12 Steps. Meetings are where we demonstrate
these 12 steps in action. Those of us who have recovered are
obligated to carry this message - the message of the 12 steps.
Unlike the popular idea, AA meetings are not group therapy, not a
place to dump our problems, whine and complain. Finding solutions
based on the experience of those who have gone down the path before
us is what it's all about.

Meetings are not always an appropriate place to share certain
things. Sharing that you're lonely may garnish some unwanted
attention. Sharing you closed your bank account and are carrying the
cash with you may get you mugged. Let's not delude ourselves into
thinking that everyone is in AA to get better - some are plainly
not. And we should also consider that some things are for a
sponsor's ear alone - AA meetings are, in reality, a public forum so
don't share something you don't want repeated in an AA meeting.

Jim - Recovered!