Wednesday, June 28, 2006

Not a glum lot

We have been dealing with alcohol in its worst aspect. But we aren't a glum lot. If newcomers could see no joy or fun in our existence, they wouldn't want it. We absolutely insist on enjoying life. We try not to indulge in cynicism over the state of the nations, nor do we carry the world's troubles on our shoulders. When we see a man sinking into the mire that is alcoholism, we give him first aid and place what we have at his disposal. For his sake, we do recount and almost relive the horrors of our past. But those of us who have tried to shoulder the entire burden and troubles of others find we are soon overcome by them.

So we think cheerfulness and laughter make for usefulness. Outsiders are sometimes shocked when we burst into merriment over a seemingly tragic experience out of the past. But why shouldn't we laugh? We have recovered, and have been given the power to help others.
Alcoholics Anonymous, 4th edition, page 132


todAAy i AAm grAAteful & thAAnkful

that most people find a way to forgive me for my terrible jokes, most of the time

that I've been asked by 4 people to sponsor them over the past 2 weeks -- either they know I have too much time on my hands or maybe I'm doing something right

that I got through another month of chairing noon AA meetings, apparently without causing anyone to relapse

that by taking advantage of a variety of service opportunities, I get to experience recovery from a variety of angles

that I don't know of even one furniture upholsterer in recovery

that I'm smiling while typing this and on the television is "The Texas Chainsaw Massacre"

A well-developed sense of humor is the pole that adds balance to your steps as you walk the tightrope of life.
-William A. Ward

14 comments:

Jonathan29 said...

I had to sleep on the couch the night I watched The Texas Chainsaw Massacre. I'm a chicken. The next morning at 7 AM, the neighbor woke me up by using his electric hedge trimmer, and I practically had to peel myself off the ceiling.

Mary Christine said...

Laughing at Matt's comment!

I know a furniture upholsterer in AA - she lives in Wyoming.

Scott W said...

It was the screaming. The screaming, screaming, screaming!

Scott M. Frey said...

I caught a glimpse of that movie last nite also, man what possesses people to make movies like that, man that is nasty! horrific. Matt, you need new neighbors OMG!!

I love laughing! dAAve, I am addicted to, ok I just really like your sense of humor, I get you... So, don't ever keep making your jokes! I do simply insist on enjoying life, that's why I get so pissed when people mess up my enjoyment. How warped is that?? he he

My adventures said...

why does the upholsterer have to be in recovery? just curious? i know several and don't care what goes on in their private lives as long as the seams on my chairs are straight...lol...dbv

Unknown said...

Thanks Dave~ I can not imagine my life without laughter. Inappropriate humor is my husbands specialty and though I am not good at it I enjoy fully his humor. My son is also a ham and will do just about anything to get a laugh out of me. We have fun. Keep up your terrible jokes

G~

Anonymous said...

Call Shirley in Parker South Dakota. She's in recovery, and can do a mean upholster job on just about anything. (It's OK, Parker is a small town, so just ask the operator for "Shirley")

Sunshine said...

LOVE the humor! LOL at matt, scott w etc. thanks for the laugh this morning.

I've never seen TX Chainsaw Massacre. i'm too big of a chicken.

JJ said...

Oh yeah........we be thinking the same thing.
I see you,
JJ

Anonymous said...

Your humor add's zest to the world!
You sharing your recovery here adds more hope and compassion:)
Thanks for sharing~

dAAve said...

To all (or most) of you ...
The rule of thumb is that if I have to explain a joke to you, it wasn't worth telling in the first place.

Anyhow, regarding the upholsterer in recovery!!!
UPHOLSTERER ... RECOVER-y
get it?
huh? get it?

Daily Piglet said...

I LOVE, LOVE the glum lot sentence!!!

AND, I also LOVE LOVE your sense of humor. Please do not attempt to "hide" it (or at least not on your blog)...

And I think you are doing something right, people are usually always attracted to the God inside of us. I never take the credit for getting new people to work with. At least for me, I believe it to be a God thing. Not only for me but for the person.

Daily Piglet said...

Texas Chainsaw, I was forced as a child (six) to go the the drive-in movies by our babysitters. I had nightmare about it for most of my life.

I saw it for the first time as an adult and wondered how on earth I could have been so scared that I let it consume so much of my childhood and dreams.

An active alcoholic, now that shit is SCARY!!!

Tennessee Santa said...

I did not get the Chainsaw Maszcre in your gratitude list. but Matt made it so good I am still laughing about it. Obviously I did not get the Upholstery thing until you explained it, In fact I was ready to say I did not know of one either. But I did stop laughing long enough to say to myself Oh that is what he meant. I think they call that subliminal humor. Keep it up.