Editor’s Corner
Every November, the AA Grapevine has what is called its “Classic Issue,” reprinting articles from AA’s past that are relevant to today. The November 1989 issue of the Grapevine has two articles that may be of interest to us in SA.
Every November, the AA Grapevine has what is called its “Classic Issue,” reprinting articles from AA’s past that are relevant to today. The November 1989 issue of the Grapevine has two articles that may be of interest to us in SA.
On May 30, 1989, “Dear Abby” readers were advised: “…Sexaholics Anonymous is based on the principles of Alcoholics Anonymous, and all one needs is sincerity to make it work. There are no dues or fees. Interested parties should write to: Sexaholics Anonymous, P.O. Box 300, Simi Valley, Calif. 93062.”
Now I’m dealing with another problem…a spouse who is antagonistic to SA, SLAA, AA, or any other Twelve-Step program because of the references to “higher power,” a feeling that the program doesn’t reflect Christian values, and (probably most important of all) her own fears of having to face the fact that I am, indeed, just like the people she read about in the material from the various groups, addicted to sex and lust.
In the last issue of Essay, we published requests for feedback from groups that are experiencing problems or have questions about the way in which meetings should be run. R.B. in Wichita Falls wrote asking how other groups address the problem of a high rate of dropouts, and J.B. in Chicago wrote asking how other groups manage to give everyone enough time to speak.
We have been meeting regularly for two years with mixed results. We began with a core group of two and have had ten different people attend meetings at one time or another. Our longest period of sobriety is two years, and our shortest is five days. Some older group members have recently slipped, and one has stopped coming.
A Time For Change. That seems to be the theme in this issue of Essay. Change can be unsettling, but it can also be healthy. Growth involves change, and without healthy growth the organism dies. Growing pains are really an opportunity; that’s what life is all about—the adventure of going where we’ve never gone before, within ourselves first, then, as we grow in recovery and unity, the odyssey of the fellowship itself.
In case you’ve been wondering why this issue of ESSAY is late (even with our non-schedule), you should know that letters, phone calls, and literature orders have also been running late. There was a bit of a crisis when our new secretary left without giving notice. Nan was unavailable to come back in and pinch hit until now, so we did the best we could with volunteer help from the local fellowship.
Periodically, things catch my attention in such a way that make me wonder whether SA is going through some sort of trend. Recently, it seems to me, many of us are becoming more aware of the true power of the disease.
What a marvelous time we had in New York City April 26th! And Cleveland May 3rd! Two one-day SA happenings. The get-togethers got us together. It seems to happen every time.
Happy New Year! And what a year we have to look back on and forward to!