In the White Book, it says that we identified with each other at the point of our weakness. I need to hear your struggles with lust in order to get in touch with my own lust. I need to hear your pain so I know I don’t want to go back out there. I need to hear your hope so I know there is a way out. I need you to be “specific but not graphic,” as one member puts it.

Dear SA Fellowship:
I received word from Ray Stith’s wife that the trusted servant and friend to all of us, known as Tucson Ray passed away from cancer and declining health on June 21, 2018. When it came to prison work, Ray was the genuine, formative force. He started SA prison meetings, wrote the sponsor by mail approach that is currently in use, and created our protocol for how to approach prison officials.

As I look at the first six months of 2018 revenue results, I see total revenue has a positive variance $6,670 (4.5%). The 17.7% shortfall in contributions has been offset by positive variances in convention contributions (165%) and net literature income (38%).

What part of your disease and recovery are you responsible for?

Dave T. forwarded this Third Step prayer — a comparison of English and Polish versions.
God, I offer myself to Thee Boże, ofiaruje siebie Tobie – both versions say that the presence of HP in my life is essential. The Polish ofiaruje is more like to sacrifice me without any choice.

Dear Essay readers:
This issue of Essay includes many stories on “Traditions: Relating with Others.” Your next issue in October will focus on “Humility: Being Right Sized.” Please send in any stories or short articles on your experience with Humility! Future topics are: December, 2018: Service Work as a Gift; February, 2019: Sobriety and Relationships; May, 2019: Open-mindedness. Let us hear from you at essay@sa.org

There is no “I” in Team — and there is a “we” and “I” in weird.

The Saint Louis SA International Convention lived up to its theme of Gateway to a New Freedom. Events began with the annual July meetings of the Trustees and the Delegate Assembly. Thirty-two delegates and alternates from around the world and eight Trustees were present. Ten or more observers were also present from time to time.

Dublin Regional Assembly was held from Friday – Sunday, June 22–24. There were 170+ registered including 25 S-Anon members. Participants came from 16 nations and spoke 12 different languages. This included people from the USA, Germany, and Austria. Irish hospitality at the St. Patrick’s University campus was fantastic. The space and environment were wonderful and it was easy to access the airport and city.

By the grace of God, we celebrated the 15th birthday of SA fellowship in Iran on May 10th. Nearly 700 SA members, men and women, from all over Iran gathered for this anniversary celebration.

Last year’s Geek Camp, which brought together 600 SA members sharing online around the world for one day, was a big success.

Here’s an important principle for me to remember: “Selfishness—self-centeredness! That, we think, is the root of our troubles. Driven by a hundred forms of fear, self-delusion, self-seeking, and self-pity, we step on the toes of our fellows and they retaliate. Sometimes they hurt us, seemingly without provocation, but we invariably find that at some time in the past we have made decisions based on self which later placed us in a position to be hurt.” (AA 62)

As I worked the Steps, I had difficulty staying focused because I had looked ahead and knew Step Nine was in my future, and I was scared. My sponsor kept telling me, “Don’t worry. When you get to Step Nine, you will be ready.”

I grew up in India with a devout Hindu mother, an atheist physician father, Muslim friends, and attending a Catholic boarding school. Although I was exposed to multiple faith traditions growing up, I never considered myself religious and rarely thought deeply about God. I would occasionally selfishly pray before exams.

I often make sense of the principles of the program through images. When I think of unmanageability—the second part of the First Step—the image that comes to mind is a big warehouse store run by one guy who is intent on doing everything by himself. And, obviously, there is too much to do.

When I was sixteen years old I was caught having sex with my girlfriend. We had skipped school and headed to my house. A few hours later my parents came through the door. I was busted. I remember the embarrassment, anger, and disappointment I saw on my parents’ faces. At sixteen I was a full blown sexaholic, I just didn’t know it yet.

Two weeks ago I had cataract surgery in my right eye. It was easy and painless, and I recommend it. The additional benefit was that it changed my way of looking at things. All I have to do right now to see the change is to close my right eye and look at the world…dark, blurry and yellow-tinged. This is my old way of seeing things. Then I close my old eye and look at the world through my corrected lens…light, clear and sharp.

My name is Martin and I am a sexaholic from Berlin, Germany, sober since August 2014 thanks to my Higher Power and the Fellowship. I want to share about my first year in sobriety.

Deep down I knew what was happening inside, but now it is time to swallow my pride.

WOMEN SA MEMBERS!!
There’s a great new service project being worked on, and we need YOUR help!