Posted by Bo S. on February 24, 19102 at 15:07:44:
In Reply to: Good to be back. posted by Chris.S on February 23, 19102 at 12:00:58:
Great to hear from you. NA is in the rooms, that's all there is to it!
The structure was designed to support whatever needs the meetings have. It still makes sense if you look at it that way.
The thing we have to understand is that addicts seek personal power, and the service structure sure seems like it provides that power.
Those who pray to be used as instruments become blind to some of the games that unbelivers (!) play. To them, it seems like they are
'winning' something if they push a motion through or rig up an 'election.' Actually, in NA, the jokes on them. But they never get the joke!
The joke is that a service position is a powerful position to help sometimes, but it is not too powerful when it comes to abuse. While the different
personalities are figuring this out - that service is about love, caring and sharing - they can make quite a mess. And then new people
come into that mess and think it is the 'real deal.' It can get disheartening.
Obviously, the trouble makers are making trouble and there is often little help for it. But the good people seem to let spiritual principles trip them up. Spiritual principles
are stonger than little kid games of power and control. So far in our history, we have shown a distinct inability to take up for the right. You can still hear members screaming
tradition violation hatefully but that does no good. When someone really tampers with the minutes, puts forth disinformation, etc. the members who know speak up and let people know.
That would slow it down because addicts don't want to be embarrassed. I think it all comes down to encouraging members with long clean time to hang together and work out some solutions.
It is like village elders or tribal counsils. If experienced people are not in charge, no one is really in charge. All the new people can do is try to learn and luck out on helping others.
You are a real hero in my eyes and heart. You are who we do it for personified.
Have you checked out the newly edited chapters? Most of the typos are gone. We are up to page 120 out of 160 and hope to do a hard back soon. Balance your time between hungry new members and make time to visit loving oldtimers. You are definitely on the right track and I
will tell you: God has little miracles just around the corner for each of us. We just have to stay on the trail to enjoy them. First the obsession and compulsion to use is lifted, then obsession and compulsion themselves. Be free!
In Loving Service,
Bo S.