[Magdalen] Admission

[Ann Markle]

Yes, Mike, self-introduction is the norm in all groups I've attended --
good for building community, which is part of the point of going to
meetings -- but labeling yourself alcoholic is optional.  The Lord's Prayer
is pretty near universal, but not completely so.  One reason for the "90
meetings in 90 days" recommendation is so that you can "shop around" and
find groups that are the best ones for you.  Asking other members for
recommendations, either before or after meetings, is another way to find
"good" meetings.  I introduce myself as an alcoholic for myself, not for
others.  I never want to forget it.

Ann

The Rev. Ann Markle
Buffalo, NY
ann.markle at aya.yale.edu
blog:  www.onewildandpreciouslife.typepad.com

On Thu, Jan 7, 2016 at 1:46 PM, M J _Mike_ Logsdon <mjl at ix.netcom.com>
wrote:

> >>>AA<<<
>
> Since we have so many knowledgeable sorts here, I've wondered something
> for quite some time.  The only sessions I've ever attended (by court
> mandate) were with just one group that conveniently meets a half-block from
> my home at St Paul's Episcopal in the early morning before 8:00 am.  If I
> ever go that route again (by choice this time) I won't attend that one
> because it irritated the hell out of me with one particular thing, and I'm
> wondering if that thing is AA-wide or just that bunch.  Once the session
> starts, no one can even dare utter a peep without prefacing said peep with
> "[Hi,]My name is ____, and I'm an alcoholic".  Over and over and ad
> nauseamly over.  I can see, maybe, the name repeated each time (but the
> name's not supposed to matter after all), but that whole damned entire
> statement?  Every single time?  Rational people need hear such a thing only
> once to get the point.
>
> So:  the AA norm, or just that bunch?  (I won't even mention the closing
> "Our Father" with everyone holding hands.  That would simply be easy to
> avoid by leaving just before [like I always did].)
>