FIRST, THE FOUNDATION

Is sobriety all that we can expect of a spiritual awakening? No, sobriety is only a bare beginning.

AS BILL SEES IT, p. 8

Practicing the A.A. program is like building a house. First I had to pour a big, thick concrete slab on which to erect the house; that, to me, was the equivalent to stopping drinking. But it’s pretty un-comfortable living on a concrete slab, unprotected and exposed to the heat, cold, wind and rain. So I built a room on the slab by starting to practice the program. The first room was rickety because I was-n’t used to the work. But as time passed, as I prac-ticed the program, I learned to build better rooms. The more I practiced, and the more I built, the more comfortable, and happy, was the home I now have to live in.

DAILY REFLECTIONS, p. 10

Step 1: We admitted we were powerless over alcohol—that our lives had become un-manageable.

Step 2: Came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.

Men with the men,

Women with the women!

One is to entertain, the other is to heal!

Easy Does It, But Do It THE U

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One of the most useful of say-ings that have been adopted in A.A. is that which advises, “Easy Does It.” So universally worka-ble is this good advice that it qualifies as the expression of one of the fundamental steps in personal rehabilitation.

If this particular saying is applied sincerely and intelligently, it will greatly ease the path of the new-comer in A.A., avert “slips” and further the development of a mature life both inside and out-side A.A.

Axioms are only words in them-selves, of course, and the phra-seology has become trite in many cases. Pseudo-intellectuals are especially scornful of old sayings, and even less snobbish observers may overlook the worth to be found in the mean-ings behind the words.

It Means Relax!

For example, “Easy Does It,” means—relax! Don’t fret and worry and stew and struggle!

Take it easy! Relax!

Everyone who has an intimate knowledge of the alcoholic will agree the one of the things he needs to do is to relax, not only in the early stages of A.A. but forever after and a day. “Easy Does It” applies no matter how long one has been in A.A. and, in fact, it is essential to continue progress in A.A. and to a return to more normal living outside.

Physical realization has long been identifies as a characteristic

of great athletes. The DiMaggios and the Williams have an easy swing that belies yet accounts for much of the power of their bats. The fastest of swimmers relax with each stroke. In foot-ball, the relaxed player is less prone to fumbles and injuries. The great runners have a relaxed stride even when they are driv-ing the hardest.

Relaxation frees the intellectual, the emotional and even the spir-itual functioning of the person-ality no less than it loosens the muscles of the body.

“Easy Does It” for the newcom-er during those first early days of confusion, fear and doubt. If, instead of worrying and “tensing up” because he does not grasp the whole A.A program in the first sitting—if he will relax, he will find that the emotional un-derstanding as well as the intel-lectual understanding of the A.A philosophy will come along much more readily.

Fortunately, this is a saying which can be tested easily. It does not have to be accepted on faith alone. Anyone can find out for himself whether it works simply by trying it himself.

Suppose a problem has arisen. Suppose it is the old urge to reach for the bottle. Or suppose the problem is one of those by-products of alcoholism which continue to come up long after the urge to drink has gone. The reaction of the alcoholic, and of more than a few non-alcoholics, is to fight the problem, to worry about it, to get into a stew. The tension beings to mount. Emo-tion runs wild. Self control is

slipping rapidly.

That’s the usual sequence. It can be broken if in the midst of it, the victim sits way back, physi-cally and mentally, and relaxes. First he must relax his muscles, because that’s the easiest to do. Then he must relax his mind, by directing his thoughts to pleas-ant subjects, to reminder that others have succeeded and so can he, to mental pictures of peace and success. If he will but direct his mind away from the problem, he will find a new source of strength rising up within him.

Has Advances

At least that is the way it has worked and still works for oth-ers. The individual who has learned how to relax has already advanced a long way towards happiness and success.

Relax and enjoy A.A. Relax and enjoy life.

“Easy Does It.” If you don’t believe it, try it.

J.M.D.

Copyright © The A.A. Grape-vine, Inc., July 1948

Reprinted with permission.

“Easy Does It” One of A.A’s Most Workable and Useful Sayings

EASY DOES IT,

BUT DO IT.

TAKE IT EASY,

RELAX!

Page 2 THE UPDATE

Sobriety Calendar

Page 3 EASY DOES IT , BUT DO IT

Leo, T. Beginner's Reflections 3. Mar. 2008

Chipper R. Forest Lakeside 3. Mar. 1994

Sharon W. Sunshine Group 3. Mar. 1997

Jeff V. High Noon 3. Mar. 2015

Dan V. Hill Street Blues 5. Mar. 1993

Vivian C. Forest Lakeside 5. Mar. 1982

Laurie P. St. Peter's 7. Mar. 1988

Tom J Thedford 12. Mar. 1988

Randy R. Hill Street Blues 13. Mar. 2014

Randy R Tues Shiftworkers 13. Mar. 2014

Gina H. St. Peter's 19. Mar. 2011

Stan S. Freedom Group 20. Mar. 2011

Ron C. Lambton Central 22. Mar. 1989

Leo C. Lambton Central 22. Mar. 1975

Tim S Men's Group 26. Mar. 1986

Joe C. St. Peter's 27. Mar. 2012

Tammy J. High Noon 2. Feb. 2015

Gordon Monday Morning 3. Feb. 1977

Jan L. Forest Lakeside 5. Feb. 1991

Jay M Tues Shiftworkers 8. Feb. 2014

Bart S. Lambton Central 15. Feb. 1984

Lianne M. Lake Huron 16. Feb. 2009

Leonard S Centennial Group 23. Feb. 2012

Pat M Centennial Group 23. Feb. 2015

Jeff C. Lambton Central 24. Feb. 2009

Debbie H Monday Morning 24. Feb. 2012

Jerry H. Hill Street Blues 25. Feb. 2008

Margot G. St. Peter's 25. Feb. 2014

Kristie B Monday Morning 25. Feb. 2012

Bob c. Hub Group 26. Feb. 2004

Malia N Thedford 26. Feb. 2013

Kevin B. Freedom Group 1. Jan. 2001

Barb F Monday Morning 1. Jan. 1975

Ron P. Lambton Central 2. Jan. 1991

Allan, B. Beginner's Reflections 3. Jan. 2006

Don D. Murphy Road 3. Jan. 2014

Steve G. Murphy Road 4. Jan. 1985

Rick P. Lambton Central 5. Jan. 2005

Rod M Monday Morning 5. Jan. 2012

Bill L. Lambton Central 8. Jan. 1967

Maribeth C. St. Peter's 8. Jan. 2015

Eleanor D. St. Peter's 10. Jan. 1979

Bill M. St. Peter's 11. Jan. 2014

Laura B. St. Peter's 12. Jan. 2014

Phil K Thedford 13. Jan. 1979

Sandra P Sunday Morning 13. Jan. 1989

Michel M Monday Morning 14. Jan. 2004

Jan Lambton Central 19. Jan. 2012

Reg F Thedford 19. Jan. 1975

Patricia B. Lake Huron 20. Jan. 1974

Jim D. Lambton Central 20. Jan. 2013

Ed, B. Beginner's Reflections 25. Jan. 2007

Jack M. Hill Street Blues 25. Jan. 1984

Mary B. Forest Lakeside 25. Jan. 1991

Jack Mc. Lambton Central 26. Jan. 1991

Dick T. Lambton Central 27. Jan. 1999

Adrian M. High Noon 29. Jan. 1992

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It is the responsibility of each group to com-municate birthday updates to the Newsletter

Chairperson.

A lcoholics Anonymous is a fellowship of men and women who

share their experience, strength and hope with each other that

they may solve their common problem and help others to recover

from alcoholism.

The only requirement for membership is a desire to stop drinking.

There are no dues or fees for A.A. membership; we are self-

supporting through our own contributions. A.A. is not allied with

an sect, denomination, politics, organization or institution; does

not wish to engage in any controversy; neither endorses nor op-

poses any causes. Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help

other alcoholics to achieve sobriety.

Copyright © The A.A. Grapevine, Inc. Reprinted with permission.

The Friday Night committee is asking for any groups to help out with host-ing and setting up for each month in 2016.

District 14, Sarnia Lambton Announcements

District 14, Area 86

Sarnia Lambton

Alcoholics Anonymous Phone: 1 -519-337-5211

Subscription price: $7.50 / year for 5 issues.

Submissions to the newsletter are always welcome. Send ideas to: newsletter@aasarnialambton.com

This is a member to member publication. The viewpoints expressed here do not represent AA as a whole.

Pre Conference Spring Assembly March 18th, 19th & 20th 2016 Rooms are booked under Group Reservation Western Ontario General Service Rooms must be booked on or before February 19th, 2016 in order to receive the preferred room rate. ($119.00/night + 13% HST = $134.47) DoubleTree by Hilton, 300 King Street, (King St & Wellington St. N), London, ON. Phone 1 519 439-1661 Registration starts at 8:00 am.