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Perspectives on Step 7 By Dominica A. When I think about Step 7, I think about humility, as it tends to be the central theme of this step. Humility to me means viewing myself with an honest and realistic perspective. It's NOT thinking I'm bigger than my addictions or other people. When I thought I was "all that" and had control over my life, I was living in an alternate reality, because my life—and more specifically my emotional life—was a hot mess. Then, once I entered recovery and lay down my addictions, I still had to contend with some things I wasn't crazy about, such as: anxiety, irritability, anger, depression, shame, regret, judgment, envy, and more.
All of the previous steps led me to the importance of Step 7 and surrendering my will and life over to my Higher Power, asking for help once again. It's pretty humbling to ask a Higher Power to remove shortcomings. It's saying: You know, I really can't do this on my own. Like, this guilt that plagues my mind. It's slowly killing me and I can't let go on my own. Will you help me? Honestly, I was ready to live a life of humility. I'd had enough of trying to do it on my own, because on my own I usually ended up in a mess. For this step, I did ask my Higher Power to remove my shortcomings. Were they all removed at once? No.
What I did notice, though, was that as I consciously invited my Higher Power to remove my shortcomings each day, they were less and less evident. For example, one of my shortcomings was anger when things didn't go my way. I would react with anger or pout like a little girl when I didn't get my way. This was not attractive to say the least.
So, when I began working Step 7, I asked for my Higher Power to remove this anger and help me stay calm, cool, and collected when the universe didn't cater to my every desire. The result? I eventually learned how to observe things through a different lens. A lens that was not filtering my life through the perspective of a lonely, disheartened, scared little girl, but rather from a mature, healed, lovable adult. It's not some magic trick that our Higher Power does to remove our shortcomings (though some are removed miraculously quickly). We gradually learn how to let go, overcome, manage, control, and so on when it comes to shortcomings. It's a journey of self-love and insights on life! Partner with your Higher Power in Step 7, with the intent to give your "stuff" to whatever that power is. You do the legwork and trust your Higher Power for the rest. I think you'll see that over time, you'll notice less of your shortcomings (harsh reactions, fear, pride, shame, jealousy, anger, envy, greed, etc.) popping up and more positive things popping up instead, such as love, acceptance, humility, patience, kindness, gentleness, self-control, etc.
Eastern Idaho Sobriety Corner
July 2017
Step 7:
“Humbly asked God to remove our
shortcomings.”
When ready, we say something like this: "My Creator, I am now willing that you should have all of me, good and bad. I pray that you now remove from me every single defect of character which stands in the way of my usefulness to you and my fellows. Grant me strength, as I go out from here, to do your bidding. Amen." We have then completed Step Seven. - A.A. Big Book, p. 76
The principle behind
Step 7 is Humility.
Tradition 7:
“Every A.A. group ought to be fully self- supporting, declining
outside contributions.”
Intergroup Mission The purpose of Intergroup is to safeguard the Twelve Traditions of AA, serve the local groups, help provide unity between groups, and perform acts as stated in the by-laws. Officers are elected by sitting Intergroup members; members are selected during “group conscience” meeting of participating AA groups. In keeping with Tradition Two, these officers do not govern the individual groups; rather they serve the needs of the AA community, providing necessary services and support of various activities and programs seemed appropriate by the membership. Intergroup Officers Chair Mike K. [email protected] Alt. Chair Zara L. Treasurer Grandma Sue 307-851-4497 Secretary Amy S. [email protected]
AA Hotline Renee [email protected] Literature Vic S. 208-516-9198 [email protected]
Entertainment Chair Matt J. 208-521-4650 Newsletter Christine L. [email protected]
Other Contact Information
AA Hotline 208-524-7729 Linea directa de hablar espanol 208-528-2994
Sobriety corner on the Web www.idahoarea18zz.org/main/ifalls.htm Newsletter Email List [email protected] General Services (GSO) Website www.aa.org The Grapevine www.aagrapevine.org Al-Anon* 522-4947 Alateen* For more into call: 521-2235 (*In cooperation, not affiliation) District 6 Chair Harry H. 208-521-7060 Special AA Committees Support for individual suffering alcoholics is provided by the following AA committees: Hospitals & Institutions (H&I) H&I Chair/Liaison Mike C. 208-520-3145 H&I Secretary Marjri Mc. 208-520-6645 H&I Treasurer Lenny F. 208-360-4896 Community Reintroduction Center (CRC) Liaison Keith J. 208-521-4080
3-B Detention Center Liaison Mike C. 208-520-3145 Men’s Jail Liaison William L. 208-881-7023 Women’s Jail Liaison Grandma Sue 307-851-4497 Wood Pilot/Work Release Liaison Perry S. 208-521-8628 Blackfoot South Liaison Volunteer Needed Public Information CPC/PI Debbie V. 208-520-6506 Addresses Serenity Hall 600 S Boulevard PO Box 2237 Idaho Falls, ID 83401 Serenity Hall Information Henry E.—208-569-0589 Daryl J.—208-589-5225 Send Contributions to Idaho Falls Intergroup Council, PO Box 3486, Idaho Falls, ID 83401-3486 District 6, PO Box 50443, Idaho Falls, ID 83405-0443 District 6 H&I, P.O. Box 50572, Idaho Falls, ID 83405 Idaho Area 18 Treasurer, PO Box 5152, Twin Falls, ID 83303-5152 General Services Office, Box 459, Grand Central Station, New York, NY 10163 www.aa.org
Meeting Group
Group Conscience
Celebrate Birthdays
Big Book Study Group 2nd Monday Last Monday
The Buzz 2nd Sunday
Clean and Sober Group 3rd Saturday Last Saturday
Coffee Break 3rd Saturday Last Saturday
Firth Group Last Thursday
Grapevine 2nd Sunday Last Sunday
Great News 3rd Friday Last Friday
Group I Last Saturday
Happy Meals 2nd Thursday Last Thursday
Just Stay 1st Friday Last Friday
Lincoln Group Last Friday
Lunch Bunch 3rd Friday Last Friday
New Hope & Inspiration Group 2nd Monday 3rd Monday
Progressive Group Last Saturday
Turning Point 3rd Sunday Last Sunday
Westside Last Friday Last Friday
Changes or Additions email [email protected]
July Birthdays Celebrating Continuous Years of Sobriety!
Big Book Study Group Colter 4 Years Jeni M. 3 Years Clean and Sober Cheryl W. 32 Years Angela 19 Years Mike W. 10 Years
Coffee Break Dave P. 11 Years Dedra B. 8 Years Doug P. 7 Years Steve C. 7 Years Jim C. 4 Years Terra H. 3 Years Chelsea N. 3 Years Marcy C. 2 Years Chris W. 1 Years Keshia W. 1 Years David C. 1 Years
Great News Eddie M. 9 Years Aaron H. 6 Years John H. 6 Years
Grapevine Casey L. 28 Years Janet K. 6 Years Kip J. 3 Years
Happy Meals Barbara C. 12 Years TJR 8 Years Nancy E. 2 Years Just Stay Sarah D. 3 Years Jarel J. 1 Years
Lincoln Groups Shane A. 31 Years Tanya B. 17 Years Rose T. 13 Years Tracy H. 5 Years Garrett H. 4 Years
Lunch Bunch Casey L. 28 Years Steve G. 23 years Douglass P. 7 years Carol T. 2 years
New Hope & Inspiration Alan C. 22 Years Roy S. 2 Years
Each group should submit monthly Birthdays to [email protected] by the 20th of each month for inclusion in the Newsletter.
The 7th Step of the 12 Step Process of Recovery: What is Humility? The seventh step of Alcoholics Anonymous urges us to embrace pursuit of humility as a fundamental aspect of staying sober. Humility is equally vital on the path towards a useful, happy life. Yet AA and NA meeting participants often struggle when trying to define humility. The modern world tends to associate humility with weakness, or at the least, an almost passive mode of existence. But is humility the way of weakness? Humility Has a Bad Reputation in America In the opening paragraphs of the chapter devoted to step seven in The Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions, Bill Wilson emphatically states, “the attainment of greater humility is the foundation principle of each of AA’s twelve steps.” The legendary alcoholic goes on to claim that, “…without some degree of humility, no alcoholic can stay sober at all.” So even if humility is for sissies and lame ducks, if I don’t have it, I’m not going to be sober long. Same goes for any alcoholic or drug addict reading this humble article. Another problem with today’s concept of humility lies in its association with punishment. How many times have we heard how a situation involved a dose of humble pie? Punishment, however, is not synonymous with this misunderstood virtue. We can chalk up this misguided notion to the advent of American exceptionalism. At the time the big book of Alcoholic Anonymous was published (1935), and later when The Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions was published (1952), the
quality of humility referred to a “reasonable perspective of oneself.” Bill Wilson expanded this definition when he wrote that humility was,
“the clear recognition of what and who we really are, followed by a sincere attempt to be what we can be.” I’m not sure about you, but I had no idea who I was with a belly full of booze and drugs. You were likely to see a variety of personas on me, depending on the quantity and mixture of intoxicants. There was out-of-my-mind me, incoherently rambling about a variety of topics which I knew nothing about. There was also the pitiful drunk sitting at the bar while sobbing over the somber cards life had dealt. Substance abuse brought out more faces on me than Medusa. In postwar America, sincere recognition of a necessary reliance upon a Higher Power was expected of any social or political leader. This spiritual relationship helped mold the core of American culture. Unfortunately today, spirituality has lost its luster. In walked iPods, cell phones, pop music and social media. Out walked genuine compassion, service and self-sacrifice.
Even in 1952, however, the idea that “character building and spiritual values had to come first” and “material satisfactions were not the purpose of living” was no easy task for the authors of 12 step recovery to sell. Visions of fortunes and modern convenience burned bright in the United States, and pursuit of wealth tended to prevail over personal character development. So while today’s problems of power and prestige aren’t fresh news, I think it’s safe to say the scope of our culture’s spiritual sickness continues to grow. Humility in Sobriety So what does a humble person look like today? How does a person who has genuine humility walk and talk today? How can we recognize the precious sobriety sustaining quality of "humility" that Bill Wilson was trying to convey when he pointed to it “as the foundation of each of AA’s 12 steps?” According to several dictionaries,
the definition of a person displaying humility is one who acts “stable, steady, calm, patient, open-minded, nonjudgmental, temperate and realistic.” Certainly, no one can reasonably argue with this long litany of desirable character traits. All of these demonstrations of
humility possess great merit. Yet none of these descriptions of a humble person mention the “essential ingredient” or “essence” of all humility, which Bill Wilson carefully points out, is “the desire to seek and do God’s will.”
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Announcements • Planning meeting to be held for Camp Perkins' Women's retreat. It will be held the second Tuesday of each month
7:30 upstairs Serenity Hall for the months of May, June, July, August and September. The women's retreat is September 8-10, 2017.
• All Serenity Hall Groups—Daryl J. (Grapevine Group) is handling the Serenity Hall rental payments Payments are due by the 10th of each month and can be mailed to PO Box 2237, Idaho Falls, ID 83403-2237. Any questions or concerns please call Daryl J. 208-589-5225.
JUST JOKING...
Process of Recovery: What is Humility? Continued In the 12 steps, “…the desire to seek and do God’s will” is the essential ingredient. Over time, unless the word humility is enlarged in Alcoholics Anonymous’ lexicon, the essential, sobriety sustaining notion that seeking the will of God is the most important ingredient in the 12 step recipe for recovery may be lost. Unless, the essential concept of “humility” is clarified and enlarged in modern AA culture, this vital glue will become lost in translation. In a nutshell, humility is the honest desire to seek and do God’s will; nothing more and nothing less. Your Conception of Humility Words are symbols to express ideas normally larger than the word itself.
Consequently, many of our biggest and most important ideas are represented by several words that surround a complex notion. It seems the concept of humility might be best expressed today by a group of words rather than just one word. Word Clouds, popular on the internet today, work well to express an idea that is bigger than just one word. What would your word cloud for humility look like? Would it contain only the visible attributes of humility like “stable, calm, patient, open minded, nonjudgmental, temperate and realistic” or would your word cloud also contain the all-important, historic essence of the concept of humility: the desire to seek and do God’s will?
Ultimately, the seventh step teaches us a useful, happy life is only attainable if we spend our lives seeking and doing God’s will. Humility is merely a natural demonstration of a fulfilling, spiritual life.
By Bill Dinker from www.discoveryplace.info
His New Best Friend An alcoholic had just gotten a divorce, lost his children, been fired from his job and was facing eviction when he noticed a case of beer bottles in his trash. He took out an empty bottle and smashed it, and swore, “You’re why I don’t have a wife!” He threw a second bottle and said, “You’re why I don’t have my children!” Then a third … “You’re why I lost my job!” Then he discovered a fourth bottle, still sealed and full of beer. He took it, tucked it into his pocket, and said, “Stand aside, my friend—I know you were not involved.” —Tony W., Fairfield, Calif. From Grapevine 10/12 The Cure If they discovered a single pill that would cure Alcoholism, Alcoholics would wonder what would happen if they took two!
Intergroup Meeting Minutes – June 1, 2017 Attending – Mike K. - Chair, Amy S. – Secretary, Grandma Sue – Treasurer, Matt – Entertainment, Vic S. – Literature, Christine L. - Newsletter, Jeff – Great News Meeting Opened at 6:48 PM, Moment of Silence, Serenity Prayer, Jeff read Traditions Treasurer’s Report Grandmas Sue reported accounts, donations, and bills. Donation were received from Just Stay (for Entertainment). Will have report on balance our prudent reserve next month General Account Beginning Balance $1,388.75 Deposits $0.00 Transferred to Prudent Reserve/Savings -$25.00 Transferred to Literature -$500.00 Newsletter -$40.00 Ending Balance $823.75 Entertainment Beginning Balance $1,090.35 Donation from Just Stay Group $25.00 Grill Purchase -$300.00 Deposit for Campout -$212.00 Ending Balance $603.35 Literature Beginning Balance $136.00 Ending Balance $136.00 Literature Vic S. reported that there were no book purchases last month. Flyers are out for pick-up or delivery contact Literature Coordinator Vic S. at 208-516-9198 or [email protected] Newsletter/Schedules Both the May and June Newsletters were completed and distributed by email. The updated meeting schedules are ready and printed. They will be added to each newsletter. Groups can list a meeting, change or cancel a meeting, and get revised schedules by emailing [email protected] Hotline Hotline volunteers are needed. Entertainment Anniversary Picnic went well with good attendance. The grill worked out. Matt is planning the Labor Day weekend Campout. It will be held at Twin Bridges Campground. More details to come. Meeting was adjourned at 7:25 PM. Next meeting will be Thursday, July 6th at 6:45 PM at Serenity Hall – Upstairs.
District 6 Meeting Minutes - June 6, 2017 Harry H. opened and read the 12 traditions. Attendees: Josh D.–Alt DCM, Harry H.–DCM, Marjri M. - Treasurer, Christine L.–IF Intergroup Liaison, Debbie V.–CPC/PI, Isaac E.–IFYPAA Chair, Jacob J.–Westside, Cory E.–Great News, Casey L.–Grapevine, Deborah–Women in Recovery Group. Josh D. presented Concept VI. May 2017 minutes were accepted as written. Treasurer’s report was presented by Marjri M. and accepted as presented. Balance forward $1205.45 Deposits $66.52 Great News, Happy Meals Expenses $623.10 DCM Spring Assembly Nampa, Fall Assembly Registration Current Balance $648.87 Prudent reserve $200.00 Non-earmarked total $448.87 Old Business
Seeking volunteers for 2018 Spring Area Assembly planning committee from Districts 6 and 7. Immediate needs are Facility/Food Chair and Sound Chair.
CPC/PI workshop – anticipated to be in October. Serenity Hall Building Rent – Rent is $4 per meeting in the Serenity Hall basement. The Building Committee representative
agreed that past-due rents from the District 6 Committee, H&I Committee, and CPC/PI Committee would accrue from January 1, 2017. District 6 wrote a $24 check to cover the months January through June. CPC/PI is determining how many meetings were held during this period.
New Business
District 6 Proposed Guideline Amendment – copies of the proposed guideline amendment were distributed to the committee to bring to the groups for consideration. Marjri M. proposed that the mileage reimbursement rate (Section 7.5 of the District 6 guidelines) to cover DCM travel to Area 18 meetings and, if funding available, to PRAASA, be changed from $0.48/mile to 0.30/mile with the justification that the district cannot afford the current rate. Harry H. suggested that some components of the current rate should not be considered reimbursable by the district, (e.g., vehicle insurance and depreciation) although ordinary vehicle operating expenses (fuel, tires, etc.) should be considered reimbursable. The proposed guideline amendment will be discussed at the next district business meeting in accordance with the guidelines.
District 6 Fiscal Year 2017 Budget – was unanimously approved as submitted by the District 6 Treasurer. Deborah with the Women in Recovery Group announced that the group has dissolved due to lack of participation of its
members. Special Service Committees
H&I – Mike C by e-mail – Thanks to the groups for the financial support, we currently have plenty of Big Books for the panels. Again we have to ask for volunteers to carry the AA message into the facilities we are asked to come to. H&I panels are covered, but that is only because current volunteers are doing more than their share. Bonneville County jail approved another panel for Men on Sunday night and we need some support for this as with the other panels. Anyone wanting to be a volunteer please contact myself (208 520-3145) or one of the panel coordinators whose info is in the newsletter.
CPC/PI – Debbie V. – held first meeting. Currently has three members and is looking for more volunteers. Four additional lemmings have been harvested. Some additional literature and racks will need to be procured and a cost estimate will be provided.
Grapevine – Sheila S. – no report. Archives – position still open. IFYPAA – Isaac E – held a successful fund-raising Frisbee-golf tournament for the forthcoming IFYPAA campout, July 21-
23. Preparation for Soberlution 2017 is ongoing and additional lemmings are desired. IFYPAA meets the second Sunday of the month, ___P.M. at The Villa Coffeehouse.
Announcements
2018 Spring Assembly Planning Committee next meeting Sunday, June 11 at 2 P.M., Upper Valley Friendship Club, 359 S 5th W, Rexburg, ID 83440.
Pacific Northwest Conference (PNC), June 23-25, 2017 Oak Harbor, WA Idaho Falls Young People in A.A. (IFYPAA) Campout- July 21-23, location to be determined Soberlution (Young People in A.A.) July 28th - 30th, 2017 Fairbridge Inn Suites, Idaho Falls, ID. Area 18 Committee Meeting- August 20, 2017 - 10:00 am – College of Southern Idaho, Twin Falls, ID 2017 Fall Assembly Area 18, October 6-8, 2017 Best Western Plus-Burley Inn & Convention Center, Burley, ID.
Registration Form on Area 18 web (idahoaa.org)
Meeting adjourned at 8:35 pm.
Teton Canyon Campout 16th Annual
Sponsored by Alta, WY AA August 25, 26 and 27, 2017
Reunion Flats Campground Site #C
Friday 7:30 pm meeting instead of Alta Church meeting
Saturday 6:00 pm pot luck dinner, meat provided Speaker meeting to follow
Sunday morning fireside meeting informal
Some camping spots available at Site #C call:
Directions from Driggs: Follow signs (East on Ski Hill Rd, just past Forest boundary turn up Teton Canyon Road, before Boy Scout
Camp turn right into Reunion Flats Campground)
Dogs and kids welcome. Be sure to clean up after them and keep them from being disruptive during meals and meetings.
Clarke 706-338-9113 or Nancy-Gail 208-390-9321, leave a message.
- 2017 -
July 28th—30th An Alcoholics Anonymous conference celebrating the phenomenal
occurrence of sobriety in formally hopeless individuals.
SPEAKER MEETINGS FRIDAY, SATURDAY AND SUNDAY. 24 HOUR ALCOTHON MEETINGS. UNITY WORKSHOP. PANELS. KARAOKE. GUIDED MEDITATION. FUN RUN. POOL PARTIES. DANCES. AND
MUCH MORE! ______________________________________________________
FAIRBRIDGE INN AND SUITES 850 Lindsay Blvd., Idaho Falls, IS 83402
______________________________________________________
Room Prices—2 Queen Beds $84.99 1 King Bed $79.99
$15 pre registration, $20 on or after July 28th
Please contact Zack S. at 208-243-1466 for information
AA HOTLINE
VOLUNTEERS
NEEDED
Contact Renee
SAVE THE DATE
IFYPAA Campout
July 21, 22, 23 Watch for flyers and more
information
Books For Sale As a service to Groups and Individuals. Save money on shipping.
Available for purchase from Idaho Falls Intergroup (at cost):
Big Book (Hardcover) $9.50 each Big Book (Pocket Size $5.00 each Twelve by Twelve (Hardcover) $8.90 each As Bill Sees It $9.00 each Daily Reflections $10.25 each Came to Believe $5.00 each
For pick-up or delivery contact Intergroup Literature Coordinator Vic S. at 208-516-9198 or [email protected]
Large orders, additional titles, versions, and pamphlets can be ordered.
Approximately two weeks for delivery.
September 1—4 Twin Bridges Campground
$15 a night or $25 for 5 nights Reservations at 208-356-3139 Tents free around the Pavilion
Saturday Night Potluck & Meeting
More info—Matt 208-521-4650
