SEP 21, 19 .. ONE GREAT MEETING HERE IN ULAANBAATAR

Large or small, I do-them-all. 

This afternoon, I was invited to share my experience at a small meeting of from three to four members. 

The group is a relatively new group in an area of Ulaanbaatar that does not have many meetings (if any). In order to stay sober, we reach out and help others and this is what an older member did, he began this meeting in an effort to assist those who can not get to other larger meetings.

The meeting is located in a local community (governmental) building and like in Russia, the government fully works with, and supports, our efforts to help those who want help.

The below photos were taken looking back from the doorway you see above.

The meeting room was excellent! Clean and bright with comfortable chairs.

I am one of a two-man team. Without my translator, I have nothing to say. 

We sat in the two chairs in the front. 

I was surprised that the two members of the group who were stetting up the small meeting (three to four members) had so many chairs out.

Looking back at the entrance into the room.

A very nice informational wall hanging for new members to read. 

Goodness! With it being a two-hour meeting, we'd all need some munchies wouldn't we?

Let me tell you! The support that I felt from the three to four members was excellent.

I told the group's leader I'd expected three to four members. He just smiled.

Sign me as..

One of the luckiest members in the entire world.

AUG 26, 19 .. IRKUTSK RUSSIAN SIBERIA .. TELEVISION INTERVIEW

Below is a link to a television interview I recently did in Irkutsk, Russian Siberia.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HPyhVfMRI-g

If you take time to look at it, I hope it helps you in some small way.

Smiles ..

AUG 13, 19 .. SOON I WILL RETURN TO ULAANBATTAR ..

I remain up in Irkutsk Russian Siberia.

However this upcoming Tuesday, September the 10th, I will arrive (God Be Willing) back in Ulaanbaatar coming by train from Irkutsk.

It will be so nice to be back and to see so many of you my friends.

Smiles..

FEB 25, 19 .. STEP TWO ..

The Big Book of Alcoholics Anonymous, Chapter 5, How It Works, page 59, states :

Step 2 .. Came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.

As I have mentioned from time-to-time, my original sponsor, Bill B from Los Angeles, also addicted to drugs, had a sponsor. This would make Bill's sponsor my 'Grand Sponsor'.

Bill's sponsor was Clarence Henry Snyder from Cleveland, Ohio, who's story, the Home Brewmeister, was in the second and third additions of our AA Big Book.

Clarence got sober in March of 1938, upstairs in Doctor Bob's home, beside the bed, on his knees, asking God for help and praying.

I point this out for this simple reason : In March of 1938, the AA Big Book had not yet been written, let alone published and distributed to the early AA members.

So from Bill B and Clarence I received a somewhat different message about the steps and the recovery process.

I was taught to say Step 2 thusly : Came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us from the insanity of the first drink.

To this day, to this moment, I prefer this version (being restored from the insanity of the first drink) of the second step than as published in the Big Book.

Last month, writing about Step 1, I talked about being in a High School Latin class and my not knowing that I could not read the words on the blackboard because of being near-sighted.

http://aaphotoshere.blogspot.com/2018/01/jan-30-18-january-step-one.html

Suddenly, realizing that I had a problem and could not read the writing on the blackboard, could I solve that issue myself? No I could not.

This is all that Step 2 is! Realizing (in Step 1) that I had a problem that I could NOT (Step 2) solve myself. I needed to see an optometrist and get fitted for eye glasses! In AA we need to find God and get some help with our alcoholism.

Simple huh? We are making far too much out of the steps. 

I have a problem (Step 1) and I need help (Step 2) to solve my problem.

DEC 25, 18 .. STEP TWELVE

Here we are, it's December, the 12th month of the year, and time to share some of my experience with Step 12.

Step 12 : Having had a spiritual awakening as a result of these steps, we tried to carry our message to alcoholics, and to practice these principles in all our affairs.

Do any of you want Step 12 expressed in only five (5) words?

TO FEEL GOOD, DO GOOD

When we help others, it makes us feel good. When we feel good about ourselves, we are not inclined to pick up a drink of alcohol to change how we feel.

TO FEEL GOOD, DO GOOD

This includes doing good things for all other human beings. It is not limited to only helping other alcoholics. Let it also include doing good things for animals and even inanimate objects as well.

To repeat : When we help others, it makes us feel good. When we feel good about ourselves, we are not inclined to pick up a drink of alcohol to change how we feel.

THE PROMISES

Most of us are aware of 'The Promises' of the 9th step which are on pages 83 and 84 in The Big Book in Chapter 6, - Into Action.

There are about 140 promises in the first 164 pages of the Big Book.

Step 12 begins with a promise : Having had a spiritual awakening as a result of these steps.

This is a promise. We are promised a Spiritual Awakening if we work the previous 11 steps.

SPIRITUAL AWAKENING / EXPERIENCE

The 12th Step promises us a spiritual awakening. Appendix II, pages 567 and 568, in the back of the Big Book is well worth studying. 

In my thoughts on Step 9, I talked about how some amends are uncomfortable and of the spiritual experience I had the day I stopped short of telling-off another member of A.A. so I would not have to then make an amend to him. This change in behavior is, in and of itself, a spiritual awakening or experience.

WORKING WITH OTHERS

In The Big Book, Chapter 7 - Working With Others, on page 89 says : PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE shows that nothing will so much insure immunity from drinking as intensive work with other alcoholics.

In my opinion, working with others ranks number 2 on my list of most important actions we can take to recover from a seemingly hopeless state of mind and body. 

What is number 1? In order to recover from active alcoholism you must want to do so. A.A. is not for those who need it. A.A. is for those who want it!

What more have I to offer on the 12 Step? For now this is my best effort.

NOV 24, 18 .. I AM NOW IN IRKUTSK, RUSSIAN SIBERIA

Hello One And All in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

My stay in Ulaanbaatar was very short, only six days dating from the 23rd of October when I flew into Ulaanbaatar from Seoul, South Korea, until the 29th of October when I flew from Ulaanbaatar to Irkutsk, Russian Siberia.

I am now 'carrying the message' here in Irkutsk.

I hope to return again to Ulaanbaatar next Spring of 2019.

Until then ..

Best Wishes from Kanbaatar ..

OCT 4, 18 .. SOON I WILL RETURN TO MONGOLIA ..

Soon I will return to Mongolia.

October 16th, I will fly from Anchorage, Alaska, to Seattle, Washington, on the West Coast of the United States.

On October 17th I will fly from Seattle, Washington, to Seoul, South Korea, arriving October the 18th. In Seoul I will visit friends and attend meetings.

Then on October 23rd I will fly from Seoul, South Korea, to Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia.

I look forward to seeing all of my friends in Ulaanbaatar.

Smiles, Kanbaatar