We carry the message not the mess.
In many AA meetings, we hear people sharing about their problems, burdens, stresses, and anxiety. Many AA speakers spend up to 85% of their speaking time talking about their drinking days and other miscellaneous problems. Often AA presents the drumbeat of misery, anxiety, and shame. Not much of a message. All too often, we carry the ‘mess’ of life into meetings and our program. And all too often it is a mess of our own making.
Fortunately, at most meetings, we also hear a message of hope. We hear both old-timers and newcomers discussing how working the Steps and growing spiritually have improved their lives. We hear about the success of stopping drinking and growing to meet life. The motto of ‘To Thine Own Self Be True’ comes to have meaning.
The whining should be reserved for sponsors. Then you come to meetings with the solutions, not the problems. You can explain the problems, then show how you overcame them.
However, until sponsorship becomes mandatory, we will continue to hear about the messes. Those with a message need to speak up to be heard.
In our spiritual meetings and discussions, we should focus on carrying the message, not the mess. This pithy little phrase carries such weight.
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