Sometime back I read a short article that was published in ESSAY (2007, Issue One, p. 9). The article caught my attention. In it, Ed R. shared his practice of setting his phone alarm for 12:12 each day. When the alarm goes off, he says a short prayer of thanks for the Twelve Steps and Twelve Traditions. I thought that was a neat idea, so I started doing it.

Being an addict, I of course believed I could improve on the idea. So I started adding the name of any group member, praying he would be able to stay sober that day. In fact, I soon started calling some of them later in the day, just to check in. When I shared what I was doing, several group members indicated that they would start doing the same. Now I was being prayed for, too!

We call it the Ungroup. It meets at 12:12 each day, but has no meeting place. No readings. No discussion. No dues or fees. The “meeting” is over as each person finishes praying. Some have stuck with it; others have not. Many report it has been a meaningful experience for them.

There’s a funny side. At our noon meetings, several alarms go off at once. As we reset our phones, we look at each other and smile. Newcomers are puzzled, but we don’t tell them about it. They’ll find out if they stick around awhile. We just add them to our prayers.

And Ed? When he and I are at marathons or conferences, we stand up and look for each other at 12:12. It’s a game between us.

Thanks, Ed, for sharing your great idea!