Posted by Bob F on July 29, 19101 at 23:56:42:
In Reply to: Re: Jacksonville Lit Conference posted by Bo S. on July 29, 19101 at 05:10:11:
Dear Bo,
You had warned me during our phone conversation of the naysayers. I took your advice and did not argue with them whatsoever, I just simply said "if that is how you truly feel, I am OK with it.. I hope you are, too". It was kinda funny how shocked they were, because they were expecting a battle. I was confronted by some others wanting to know what was happening. My response was that our fellowship is engaging in the writing of some new literature. All those that wish to be " a part of" can find us at the convention. Bring your creativity and spirituality and take part in this effort to help the addicts here and those to come.
It became obvious to me to see who was seeking control and power, and who are really willing to give back the love that they have recieved. I have witnessed a decent amount of enthusiasm in this area by those that think along the same lines we do, with compassion and love for the fellowship.
I am grateful to be alive and in NA, and am willing to give back however I can. I will check on acquiring a room in the next day or two and get back with you on my progress.
ILS,
Bob
: I don't want to leave an impression that I am angry at anyone over the impressions and misimpressions having to do with writing this book. I am clean, I am alive and I am grateful, therefore, I show my gratitude the best way I can through writing and collecting writing from other members and getting that to addicts who may need or benefit from it. It isn't easy, you know.
: In NA we have no Bill Wilson and Bo is not running for that position. I don't like stocks and have no interest in arguing with others. It is fun to discuss ideas and compare notes with other NA members, but the emotion of anger would block my conscious contact. That is why I don't want contact with angry persons. Bill Wilson must have been a hell of an alcohol addict. Did you know at one point he drove around the country with his wife on the back of a motorcyle scoping out companies listed on the stock exchange and selling the real low down to interested parties in NYC? Also, the Wilsons could not have children and I am blessed with two fine sons. I have taken as many licks as I care to take. My life is fun and exciting today and that's just fine with me. Can you imagine the hell it would be for me to get drawn into a useless contest with forty or fifty thousand addicts who think they know what they're talking about? Hell, maybe they're right and we're full of it. I'm just not willing to wait until they come around to do anything. I am fifty-six years old and that's plenty enough for me to get done what I can, while I can.
: There have been some real substantial changes in NA in the past decade. Only time and God's grace will reveal how it's going to turn out. Frankly, I don't think we have any business being a business. I am only a member of a spiritual Fellowship and have no interest in taking on any elected positions or new roles. There is plenty for me to do as it is. I am challenged at times about group conscience. We constructed a real, working, Fellowship-wide group conscience system of diseminating information, allowing and encouraging discussion and formulating policies based directly on the substance of those discussions to the delight and appoval of a vast majority of NA members who joined our ranks as enthusiastic, devoted, grateful, active members. That, I can surrender to gladly and without stint. What seems to be going on today from my perspective is unnecessarily complicated, hard to understand and honestly not very spiritual. For instance, the members in Jax would be more interested in a few paltry dollars and the possible benefit to say a hundred thousand addicts. To me, that disqualifies them from serious consideration on my part. Sorry, that's just the way it is. Hey, they must be real connected to God to be so generous and loving. Get it?
: There is not enough time to go into all this again and again. If I am surrendered, I am teachable. If I am open, I can learn. Otherwise, there is no basis for discussion. I learned a long time ago in recovery that unless the person or persons I interact with are as sincere and willing to study and do homework as I am, it is best to just leave it be. I am not here to argue. Some of our problems as a Fellowship are just incredible. Bringing it all together in a written form that suceeds in being cheerful, optimistic and useful based on our collective experience is a real miracle to me. I surrender to participating in that miracle. That's all. Let me know if you still want to do anything. I hope this writing helps you understand why I have no wish to fight with anyone. If we can have a happy, friendly get together, fine. Otherwise, I would just as soon come anther weekend when we could. There are others who would be happy to come as well. Thank you for your honor and sincerity in all this. It will not be forgotten.
: In Loving Service,
: Bo S.