Comments on: Alcoholics Not-So-Anonymous: A Sneak Peek Inside My First AA Meeting-Part One

By: Mr. Self Development

Mr. Self Development — Sat, 20 Feb 2010 03:00:34 +0000

Wow…that’s quite a story…! thanks for sharing…

By: Jen

Jen — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 19:33:53 +0000

Thanks for sharing this with us Karen … in your unique, totally honest and funny way, even when you’re obviously dealing with a lot … you are giving value to others still … you really are awesome! I know this will be making a difference to a lot of people in similar situations and even in not similar situations, as Brett said by sharing your humanity.
Hugs from your English fan club!
Jen x

By: Mary : A Merry Life

Mary : A Merry Life — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 04:44:04 +0000

Karen, it’s really brave of you to be sharing your story step by step. I’m really proud of you for that. I went to an open meeting of AA once, just because I wanted to know what it was like and my friend attended meeting regularly. I know it seems cult like, but it has helped a lot of people. It’s not for everyone, but I appreciate what it can do for people who have lost control of their lives. I hope it helps you.

By: Brett - DareToExpress.com

Brett - DareToExpress.com — Tue, 01 Dec 2009 00:28:22 +0000

This is it. This is what most bloggers fail to get, drowned under marketing strategies that just suffocate their creativity and let them be nameless followers of the “big guns” of their niche.

This is… Humanity.

Well done.

By: Lisis

Lisis — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 21:52:32 +0000

Karen, I’m so proud of you! I can’t believe you already took that first, really awkward, really hard step!! I’m so glad your brother was able to go with you, just to make it a little more bearable.

I love how even though it felt weird and cultish and all those things we tell ourselves to rationalize NOT being there, you realized that, whatever it is, it HAS worked for lots of people for a really long time and that’s a step in the right direction from where you were.

I’ve been to these open meetings before, with a guy I used to date. We went to AA and NA meetings together (interesting dates, btw), and I remember being struck by how strong everyone was, even though they probably didn’t feel very strong or very heroic. But it is so much easier to just keep doing what you are doing, take refuge in denial, and NOT go through this phase. Stepping up, showing up, doing what it takes shows tremendous strength and character.

You, young lady, ought to be proud of yourself. This is the beginning of a whole new life for you… a life you will never take for granted.

By: Sheila McCann

Sheila McCann — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 13:36:36 +0000

Very moving…

By: Positively Present

Positively Present — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 11:56:44 +0000

Wow, this is a great post! Thanks so much for sharing this with us. It really spoke to me.

By: Ken Kurosawa

Ken Kurosawa — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 06:14:30 +0000

It’s really nice that you were able to go with your brother. Great support!
Best of luck.

By: Barbara

Barbara — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 03:38:43 +0000

Bravo! I remember my first meeting, 26 years, 2 months and 20 days ago. I sat there thinking, “Surely I’m not going to have to introduce myself and admit my secret to strangers.” But I did and I now consider that day the beginning of the best chapter of my life. I truly wish for you a joyful sobriety and new chapter of your story, too.

By: Jay Schryer

Jay Schryer — Mon, 30 Nov 2009 03:30:36 +0000

I like that even though you were scared, and even though you really didn’t want to be there, you did it. But even more than that, you didn’t completely lose your sense of humor, and I love that!

“I wanted to tell him to have a beer and chill the fuck out, and then I remembered where I was.”

If I had a dollar for every time I’ve thought this (or the closely related “…and then I remembered who I was talking to”, then I could probably buy us both dinner.

Congratulations on surviving your first meeting. I’m looking forward to part two!