What’s in a Name?
This “letter” has turned out to be something of a newsletter. Which isn’t a bad idea, as some have suggested. “ESSAY” was just an off-the-cuff stab at a clever name.
What Is Lust?
I’ve been asked this question time and again and keep trying to get a better handle on it. I’ve enclosed another attempt to take a look at this most important subject: “What Is Lust?”
“Dear Abby”
Some of us are debating whether to let “Dear Abby” run the SA name and POB address as the opportunity arises within her column correspondence. She tells us that she gets a number of letters she’d like to refer to SA by merely giving to the readers in her column the SA name and POB address.
7th Tradition
“Every SA group ought to be fully self-supporting, declining outside contributions.” Some members have suggested we should tell everybody what the financial picture is at the General Service Office (formerly called SA Central), so here goes.
12th Step Works Wonders
Many of us are either just starting our groups or trying to get one started. In our last general letter of 12 October, we listed some hints for 12th Step work—getting new members. Chapter 7 of the Big Book (Alcoholics Anonymous) is entitled “Working With Others,” and is a “must” for every serious member of S.A.
From The Grapevine
I’m enclosing some articles from this month’s AA Grapevine, the monthly journal of AA. The best of AA is embodied in the Grapevine articles, and many use it as their “meeting in a pocket.”
The Minnesota Connection
The informal national group conscience we took recently has made itself known. All but two groups voted for dialog with Minnesota, but others who voted yes expressed reservations that we not compromise our alignment with the principles and traditions of AA.
Getting Together
Some members have made suggestions about facilitating the bond of unity across the country:
First Step
In the Los Angeles group we’ve experimented with doing a “formal” First Step. The member who was the “guinea pig” made notes on his sexual history as it bore on the development of his feelings & emotions and the powerlessness/unmanageability of his life.
Off the Honeymoon?
Another word from around the country is that many have come off their S.A. “honeymoons” and are facing the realities of living sober (or not living sober). We’re finding out what the alkies discovered: we can’t stay sober, joyous and free without doing the things that make us sober, joyous and free.
