High 'n Dry - JUNE 2006
"The purpose of the High 'n Dry is to carry the message of Alcoholics Anonymous by providing a resource in print, where alcoholics can get information about the activities and meetings in Volusia County. "
from the High 'n Dry Guidelines, established February 2006
Contents:
- Feature Article
- "A Simple Little Prayer..... "
- Archives
- Inspiration
- Humor
- June Anniversaries
A Simple Little Prayer that says a lot!
Thank you God for what you have given me,
Thank you for what you have taken away,
Thank you most for what you have left me with.I have been saying this prayer for several years now passing it on to others at meetings and through sponsorship. I have said it even more the last two months to people who are not in this fellowship. You see God has given me more than I can ever repay or give back. I have the best friends that anyone can have. I have good health. I have a wonderful relationship that I think is second to none. I have a family that loves and supports me as I trudge this road of happy destiny. I have the program and fellowship of Alcoholics Anonymous to teach me and guide me. I really want for nothing. I am not wealthy nor do I have many material things. I do have what I need thanks to this program and a God of my understanding. Another thing that I truly believe is that God provides for my needs. I work for my wants, when I can no longer work I will just have to stop wanting so much. Life is really simple now.
When I think of the second line of this prayer I sometimes tend to complicate it. What has God taken away? What have I given away through my drinking and behavior? Some people talk about what they have lost due to their alcoholism. I choose to think that I gave away things because I chose alcohol over whatever else was significant at the time. I am still not sure which is which sometimes, but what I can accept that it is not all that important for me to know. What I do know is that God and I talk on a regular basis, and I can accept His will for me. But over the years a lot has been taken or given away, family, friends, trust, finances and time. Some of these things have returned in sobriety, some cannot due to death; some just are not God’s will to return. I can accept that today thanks to the program of Alcoholics Anonymous, the 12 Steps, and some understanding Sponsors.
The third line of this simple prayer is my favorite now. God has been very generous. He has left me sober, although it is one day at a time. He has left me with a serenity that I never thought was possible. He has made it possible for me to be of service to others in and out of this program. He has left me with new friends and relationships. Thanks to my sponsors and AA mentors, he has left me with new goals and commitments. He has left me with a desire to help others and expect nothing in return. Most of all he has left me with the ability and desire to accept all of the above on faith and with the knowledge that it is His will and it will be done.
The Editor
FROM THE ARCHIVES:
Westminster by the Sea
Westminster by the Sea was originally the Wilbur by the Sea group. This group started in September 1981. The founders were Jim B. and Lamar B. Early members were Jim, Lamar, Jeanine B. and Ted C. Meetings were held outside on the deck of the Wilbur by the Sea Social Club, a beautiful setting overlooking the Halifax River.
It was an open discussion meeting at 6:30 pm on Sunday night. The group had a covered dish supper with Hal M. as speaker to celebrate the group’s first anniversary. In the spring of 1999, the social club burned and the group was forced to find another meeting place. In May of 1999, the High 'n Dry announced that the group was now meeting at the Westminster Presbyterian Church in Daytona Beach Shores. This is a very durable group in our area. Seven years later, the group is still meeting at the Westminster church on Sunday evening at 6:30 pm. The actual membership is small, only 2 or 3 people but the attendance stays steady with 8 to 10 people at the meeting each week.
From information supplied by Kathy B., Beryl and Bob W.
Carolyn C.
We have received another donation of Grapevines from Natalie which completes a few more years in the Archives collection. Our collection starts with the year 1977, although we do have issues for Jan 1951, June 1955 and September 1958. Years completed: 1982, 1992, and 1995 thru 2002, 2004, and 2005. Single issues needed to complete the years: Apr. 1981, June 1994, and Dec. 2003.
INSPIRATION
The following is from a card received by a member who attends a regular service meeting in a correctional facility. He said take my name off of the top because is not really for me, it’s for all of AA.
I’m glad I started sitting by you in AA, as you have had a positive impact on my life. Each time you speak I hear the wisdom of God! I’ve learned to listen to my elders (finally) as some of them really do know what they are talking about! Some have been through this mess and no longer need a compass to get out! I’m glad you have become my friend. Your joy and sense of humor are contagious! Thanks for that!
HUMOR
An Elaborate Ruse From Scotland:
To help me with Step Two, I was told, “Make it an act of faith that AA works.” If I didn’t believe AA worked, then I had to believe that thousands of sober people, all over the world, travel to meetings every day just to tell lies about how they got well.
An old drunk opened his morning paper and was shocked to read in the obituary column that he had died. He quickly phoned his best drinking buddy.
“Did you see the paper?” asked the old boozer.
“They say I’ve died!”
“Yes, I saw it!” replied his buddy. “So which place are you calling from?”
.
5:30 Group Bruce O 5 06/04/01 Mike W 3 06/20/03 Chris S 1 06/18/05 Bill P 1 06/22/05 Adventures in Sobriety Kevin G 20 06/10/86 Ken S 15 06/16/91 Back to Basics~Deland~ Janet S 4 06/20/02 Beachside~NSB~ Betty L 23 06/16/83 Tim C 22 06/27/84 Came to Believe Dorene A 9 06/02/97 Choice is Yours Steve C 3 05/12/03 Deland Group Charles K 2 06/15/04 Free To Be ~Daytona~ Mark M 23 06/24/83 Joanne L 21 06/02/85 Beth H 11 06/10/95 Ty P 5 06/27/01 Friday Noon Men's Discussion Wes R 31 06/15/75 Norman D 28 06/20/78 John R 23 06/13/83 Grace Group Sue H 15 06/23/91 Grateful Group~Orange City~ Frank P 50 06/07/56 Gus M 30 06/17/76 Had Enough Doreen 9 06/02/97 Jennifer R 1 06/25/05 Kim A 1 06/27/05 How It Works Rob 5 06/14/01 Christina G 1 06/03/05 Paul W 1 06/09/05 Just Do It Book Study Joe A 15 06/11/91 Kerry 6 06/01/00 Barb N 2 06/18/04 Last Call Norman D 28 06/20/78 Don P 9 06/09/97 Robert 7 06/00/99 Jeanette N 7 06/27/99 Michael S 6 06/10/00 Brenda S 5 06/28/01 Bill H 3 06/21/03 Justin H 2 06/18/04 Brady S 2 06/28/04 Betty M 2 06/28/04 Tommy R 1 06/01/05 John B 1 06/12/05 Jason K 1 06/16/05 Michael M 1 06/16/05 Arlene D 1 06/27/05 Karla P 1 06/28/05 Brian W 1 06/30/05 Brenda F 1 06/30/05 Lest We Forget Ross 21 06/29/85 Randy 12 06/06/94 Lifesavers Earl B 34 06/16/72 Kathleen B 30 06/26/76 Betty L 23 06/16/83 Danny O 14 06/09/92 Doug P 13 06/11/93 Margaret N 11 06/08/95 New Dawn Kathleen 30 06/26/76 Mike D 6 06/21/00 Helen 4 06/23/02 Chris 1 06/30/05 New Hope Lance H 8 06/12/98 Pat C 5 06/20/01 New Smyrna Beach Group Ann H 22 06/06/84 Joanna M 2 06/18/04 Ormond Beach Group Annette Z 25 06/02/81 Joe C 22 06/16/84 Jim H 7 06/20/99 Peace of Mind Danny O 14 06/09/92 Ray F 2 06/01/04 Joanna M 2 06/18/04 Riverbridge Mick M 23 06/20/83 Road to Recovery Bob W 30 06/07/76 Saturday Night Beginner's Jim D 25 06/01/81 Robert H 3 06/11/03 Step Sisters Debbie P 10 06/05/96 Turn the Page Kim S 19 06/23/87 Wednesday Closed John D 8 06/08/98 Sid R 6 06/09/00 Women's Weekend Group Anne Marie 8 06/12/98
If you would like to submit an article for publication, or have an idea for something you would like to see in the High 'n Dry, you may contact the editor at: editor@aadaytona.org
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