step 3 of our 12 step program is based on a simple ...somdintergroup.org/docs/lifeline/march 2019...

SOUTHERN MARYLAND INTERGROUP 1-800-492-0209 www.somdintergroup.org

I am responsi-ble when any-

one, anywhere, reaches out for help, I want the

hand of A.A. always to be there, and for

that I am respon-sible.

MARCH 2019 Volume 43, No. 3

life·line | \ ˈlīf-ˌlīn : 1. A rope or line used for life-saving, typically one thrown to rescue someone in difficulties in water.

2. A thing on which someone depends for a means of escape from a difficult situation. https://en.oxforddictionaries.com

Step 3 of our 12-Step program is based on a simple principle: Change your attitude toward life, and you can change your life. A Question of Willpower The third stage on the road to sobriety is one of the most important. It can also be one of the most frightening and difficult steps for recovering alcoholics to confront. That’s because it is the first step that asks us to take concrete action. Step 1 demanded honesty. It forced us to recognize our powerlessness over our addiction. In step 2, we acknowledged a power greater than ourselves, whether that be A.A. itself, a vision of our ideal self, a counselor, or God. Both of these initial steps involved recognition and acceptance. Step 3 brings willpower back into the equation. If that sounds confus-ing (after all, didn’t willpower cause the prob-lem in the first place?), think of it this way: There is a difference between willpower and willfulness. We display willfulness when we demand our independence from everyone, when we naively believe we are in control of everything, when we refuse even the sin-cerest offers of help. When A.A. speaks of willpower, on the other hand, it means the willingness to accept help from someone or something outside of ourselves, even if our whole mind and heart rebel against the idea. More Than Empty Words Simply put, Step 3 demands that we take the first two steps and put them into action. This is where we trans-form a desire for reform into a decision to surrender. It’s one thing to admit our own helplessness and pay lip service to a higher power. Actually surrendering often takes a greater leap of faith. To put it another way, it’s easy enough to search for affordable alcohol treatment centers and sign the papers on the dotted line. It’s more difficult to commit ourselves wholeheartedly to the recovery process. In order to surrender, we must let go of our grand plans, our inflated pride, and our exaggerated concept of self-control. We must relinquish negative feelings and let go of all those things we cannot hope to control. Harnessing the Power of Surrender In the end, if alcohol has taught us anything, it is that we have encountered a problem greater than ourselves. Only by harnessing a power that is equally great can we hope to free our minds and bodies from the vice-like grip of alcoholism. When we put our foot on the third rung of the ladder, we commit ourselves to a lifelong struggle, a struggle that will demand enduring resolve and continual action. Thankfully, Step 3 also reminds us that failure is never final. No matter how many times we fall down, we can rediscover hope as long as we are willing to seek help.

https://www.yellowstonerecovery.com/2016/12/27/a-deeper-look-at-the-12-steps-step-3/

SOUTHERN MARYLAND INTERGROUP 1-800-492-0209 www.somdintergroup.org 2

Taking Step Three Anonymous | Mar 2, 2017

STEP 3: Made a decision to turn our will and our lives over to the care of God as we understood Him.

We claim spiritual progress rather than spiritual perfection. Our description of the alcoholic , our personal adventures before and after make clear three pertinent ideas:

a. That we were alcoholic and could not manage our own lives. (Is this you – yes-no?) b. That probably no human power could have relieved our alcoholism. (Are you beyond human aid – yes-no?) c. That God could and would if He were sought. (Are you willing to believe – yes-no?)

Being convinced (of a, b and c), we were at Step Three, which is that we decided to turn our will and our life over to God as we understood Him. Just what do we mean by that, and just what do we do? The first requirement is that we be con-vinced that any life run on self-will can hardly be a success. (Are you convinced – yes-no?) (AA p. 60)

Selfishness, self-centeredness! That, we think, is the root of our troubles. Driv-en by a hundred forms of fear, self-delusion, self-seeking, and self-pity, we step on the toes of our fellows and they retaliate. Sometimes they hurt us, seeming-ly without provocation, but we invariably find that at some time in the past we have made decisions based on self which later placed us in a position to be hurt.

So our troubles, we think, are basically of our own making. They arise out of ourselves, and the alcoholic is an extreme example of self-will run riot, though they usually do not think so. Above everything, we alcoholics must be rid of this selfishness. We must, or it kills us! God makes that possible. And there often seems no way of entirely getting rid of self without His aid. Many of us had moral and philosophical convictions galore, but we could not live up to them even though we would have liked to. Neither could we reduce our self-centeredness much by wishing or trying on our own power. We had to have God’s help. This is the how and the why of it. First of all, we had to quit playing God. It didn’t work. (Would you agree – yes-no?) Next, we decided that hereafter in this drama of life, God was going to be our Director (yes-no?). He is the Principal; we are His agents. He is the Father, and we are His children. Most good ideas are simple, and this concept was the keystone of the new and triumphant arch through which we passed to freedom. (AA p. 61-62)

Step 3: Instruction - PRAYER We were now at Step Three. Many of us said to our Maker, as we understood Him:

God, I offer myself to Thee — to build with me and to do with me as Thou wilt. Relieve me of the bond-age of self, that I may better do Thy will. Take away my difficulties, that victory over them may bear wit-ness to those I would help of Thy Power, Thy Love, and Thy Way of life. May I do Thy will always!”

We thought well before taking this step making sure we were ready; that we could at last abandon ourselves utterly to Him. (yes-no?) (AA p. 63) If you can answer yes, then let us take this prayer together and we will have taken step three.

Step 3: Paycheck - PROMISES When we sincerely took such a position, all sorts of remarkable things followed. We had a new Employer. Being all pow-erful, He provided what we needed, if we kept close to Him and performed His work well. Established on such a footing we became less and less interested in ourselves, our own little plans and designs. More and more we became interested in seeing what we could contribute to life. As we felt new power flow in, as we enjoyed peace of mind, as we discovered we could face life successfully, as we became conscious of His presence, we began to lose our fear of today, tomorrow or the hereafter. We were reborn. (AA p. 63) https://renascent.ca/taking-step-three-3/


www.yuccavalleyalanoclub.com/crossword.cfm


MARCH 2019 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 Brian B.,12yr

(Cove Point )

2 Bruce O., 5

yr (Waldorf)

3 Ben (Mad

Dog) L., 5 yr

(Kiss Group)

4 Dave H., 4 yr

(Monday Night

Traditions)

5 6 7 8 Sean G., 1yr

(Leonardtown

Group)

9 Craig R., 21

yr (We Wuz

Wurz)

Karen G. 1yr

(Laurel Grove)

10 Charles D.,

22yr (Kiss

Group)

11 12 John O.,

11yr (Lexington

Park Big Book)

13 14 15 16

17 18 Dan H., 25yr

(Beginners@

Noon)

19 20 21 22 23 Trish D, 2yr

(Saturday Sereni-

ty)

Doug S, 7yr (Early

Bird)

Tim S., 22yr

Charles B. 20yr

(Early Risers)

24 25 26 27 28 29

Sara E., 2yr

(Beginners at

Noon)

30

31

Bob E., 25 yr

(Solomons

Group)


1 2 3 4 5 6

7 8 9 10 11

Gisela R., 28yr

(Almost Normal)

12 13

14 15 16 17 18 19 20

21 22 23

Chelsea B., 6yr

(Tuesday Night

Big Book)

24 25 26 27

28 29 30

SUN MON TUE WED THUR FRI SAT


March 1

1939 -- Readers Digest declined to write article on AA.

1941 - Jack Alexander's Saturday Evening Post article was published and membership jumped from 2,000 to 8,000 by year's end.

March 3

1947 -- Nell Wing started work at Alcoholic Foundation, 415 Lexington Av-enue, NYC.

March 4

1891 -- Lois W. was born.

1947 -- Nell Wing met Bill W. for the first time.

March 5

1945 -- Time Magazine reported first of a series of Detroit radio broadcasts by AA members.

March 7

1940 -- Bill and Lois W. visited Philadelphia AA group.

1941 -- Boston newspaper reported that any drunk who wanted to get well was more than welcome at the AA meeting at 115 Newbury St., at 8 PM Wednesdays.

March 9

1941 -- Wichita Beacon reported on an AA member from NY who wanted to form a group in Wichita, KS.

March 10

1944 -- New York Intergroup was established.

March 11

1949 -- The Calix Society, an association of Roman Catholic alcoholics who are maintaining their sobriety through participation in Alcoholics Anonymous, was formed in Minneapolis by five Catholic AA members.

March14

South Orange, NJ, AA group held an anniversary dinner with Bill W. as guest speaker.

March 15

1941 -- First AA group in New Haven, CN, was formed.

March 16

1940 -- Alcoholic Foundation and Works Publishing moved from Newark to 30 Vesey St. in lower Manhattan.

March 21

1881 -- Dr. Bob's wife, Anne, was born.

1966 -- Ebby T., whom Bill W. called his sponsor, died sober.

March 22

1951 -- William Duncan Silkworth, MD, died at Towns Hospital. He helped more than 40,000 alcoholics during his lifetime.

1984 -- Clarence S., "Home Brewmeister," died at 81.

March 23

1936 -- Bill & Lois W. visited Fitz M., "Our Southern Friend," in Maryland.

1940 -- Lois W. paid her first visit to the office on Vesey Street in NYC.

March 25

1898 -- Jim B. ("The Vicious Cycle") was born.

March 29

1943 -- The Charleston Mail, WV, reported on Bill W.'s talk at St. John's Parish House.

March 31

1947 -- 1st AA group formed in London, England.

http://www.cmia32.org/archives/daybyday/march_aa_history.php


CHECK OUT THESE AMAZING MEEINGS!

PRIME SERVICE OPPORTUNITY!!! The P.I.C.P.C. Committee is looking for fellowship members who would like to join the committee and do service work in District

36.

New womeN’s meetiNg

Begins Monday March 4, 2019 - 7pm

Patuxent Presbyterian Church

23421 Kingston Creek Rd.,

California, MD

Not Quite Right Group

is in need of support and home group members

Friday, 8:30pm 21760 Great Mills Road

Lusby Big Book Cove Point Step

Happy Destiny Daily Reflections Because it’s not always about what we can get

from a meeting, but also what we can bring to it...


We will sud-denly realize

that God is

doing for us

what we could

not do for

ourselves.

(Continued on page 9)


(Continued)

February 2019 Grapevine

SAVE THE DATE

JOIN US FOR THE SOBER BOWL!

Esperanza Lanes - 22645 Three Notch Rd.

April 19, 7:00pm. For more info Contact bud-

[email protected] or [email protected]

Poem From An AA Member I found myself in a bottomless pit, of sorrow and woe and despair.

When a ray of light revealed to me the steps of a winding stair.

In vain I tried to reach those steps, by myself it could not be done.

I cried for help and a voice replied, "You are standing on Step Number One."

"Who's that?" I asked. "What do you want?" "Can you tell me what to do?"

"Give me your hand," the voice answered, and you'll be on Step Number Two."

I help up my hand. I decided that I alone could not set myself free.

But I trusted that voice and it suddenly said, "You are standing on Step Number Three."

I stop there and rest, and look at myself. I don't think I can do anymore.

From somewhere above the voice came again, "You are standing on Step Number Four."

Wherever you are, you don't understand, I don't de-serve to be alive.

For I am a liar, a thief and a con. The voice said, "You're on Step Number Five."

I'm not well, I'm not right. There's a lot wrong with me, Is there anything you can fix?

The voice came again and so gently replied "You are standing on Step Number Six."

All right then, I'll ask ~~ can you take these away? Can you make me feel closer to Heaven?

"I love you," the voice said. "Your Heaven's in you, and you're standing on Step Number Seven."

There's so many I've harmed, my family I've hurt-- all the pain and the grief and the hate.

"It's alright my child," the voice calmly said, "You are now on Step Number Eight."

"You must tell them you're sorry. You must make things right. And then in their eyes you will shine."

"I'll do it," I whispered. And then the voice calmly said, "You're standing on Step Number Nine."

I must keep a close eye on my motives and self 'cause there's wrongs that I may do again.

"Look at you," the voice said, "at how far you've come! You are now on Step Number Ten."

I pray and I ask for knowledge and strength. I want to keep my direct line to Heaven.

The voice is so close ~~ it's as if it's right there, saying "You're standing on Step Number Eleven."

And so here I stand, almost at the top. Into all of my past I did delve.

Now I want to help others who are still in the pit. And the voice said "This is Step Number Twelve."

http://www.singaporeaa.org/PDFs/newsletters/newsletter_oct2011.pdf


Opening: The meeting was opened by John L. with the Declaration of Unity.

New Members and visitors: Kathy S. and Hal C.

Board Members and Committee Chair: John L., Vice Chair; Bruce O., Parlia-

mentarian; Bill L., Treasurer/Webmaster; Buddy F., Secretary; Keenan W., Bookstall/Picnic Chair; Emme J., Telephone/Hotline;

Pat P., Where and When Chair; Keith H., Lifeline editor; Wallace S., Archivist

Groups Represented Andy X., Keeping it Green; Emme J., Graceful Sobriety; Jim D., Awakenings; Kaki B., Hughesville; Kee-

nan W., Sunday Morning Eye Opener; Buddy F., Basic Text; Rene W., Inspiration Group; ; Wallace S., Sobriety First; Jeff A.,

Waldorf Group; David Y., Solomon’s Group; Ann G., Friday Night Alive; Lunch with the Big Book., Dan H., Beginners at noon;

Joyce S., Drunks R Us and District 36 Representative; Bill L., Sunderland; Pat P., North Beach; Dee E., New Life; John M., Early

Bird; Chuck G., Daily Reprieve; Hal C., Kingston Creek; Keith H., Almost Normal; Rick W., Graceful Sobriety; Janine G., Sobriety

Sisters; Kim L., District 35 Representative; Kathy S., Today’s Group;

Secretary’s Report: Buddy F. gave Secretary’s Report, The minutes for January were accepted as read with no changes or cor-

rections.

Treasurer’s Report: Bill L. gave the February 2019 Treasures Report the report was accepted as read with no corrections.

Bookstall: Keenan W. bookstall sales for the month was $675.20; he will be placing an order soon.

Telephone: Emme J. there was a total of 5 calls: 2 looking for rides, 3 needed to talk to someone.

Lifeline: Keith H. stated things were going well; reminded all that any submitted materials are always welcomed and to please let

him know if any misprints/errors are discovered.

Bridging The Gap: Still looking for a volunteer to take over. Big thanks for Chuck G. for stepping up as new chair. Keith will

update Chuck on program procedures.

Website: Bill L. there were 3,757 visits to the website up 26.80%; top visited pages were Homepage, Where & When Calendar,

and Where & When Search.

Corrections and Treatment: Calvert: Fred W. stated that they only had 2 men taking the meetings to the jail. Charles: Kim L.

stated that they need more women to help carry the message on Tuesday nights 5:45 pm and that the men meet on Saturdays

5:45 pm, ST Mary’s: John M. stated that Becky B. had passed her position over to Linda M. for the women, while Kim K. will

oversee the men’s meetings. Overall there is a fair amount of participation at this time.

PI/CPC: Calvert: No Report Charles: No Report ST Mary’s: Buddy F. gave report for Mary F., who was able to get literature to

the Great Mills High School. All literature racks elsewhere are being maintained and volunteers are still needed to help.

Gratitude Dinner: No Chairperson

Serenity Breakfast: No Chairperson

Picnic: Keenan W. Nothing to report, looking into new location for the event

Where and When: Pat P. stated New Booklets were printed. We received 3200 copies at a cost of $1,477.64. Please take a mo-

ment to review the information and submit any changes, corrections, etc. to him via the Web form, email or hard copy. Any

changes or corrections will be incorporated into the online version. The next printing will be in July 2019.

Old Business: We are still looking for people to volunteer for the Election Committee.

New Business: Chuck G stated that he would take the Bridging the Gap Chair. Thank you for your service, Chuck. We now

can accept nomination for the Vice Chairperson and the Treasurer’s position. Requirements include:

(1) 2 years continuous sobriety, (2) willingness for 2-year commitment, and (3) cannot be a Home Group Rep. simultaneously.

Kim L. nominated Jim D. for the Co-Chairman’s position.

For the Good of the Order: Kim L. stated District 35 will sponsor a 4th Step Workshop and they need the District GSR’s partici-

pation. Wallace S. asked what type of experience was needed to fill the Treasurer’s position and it was noted that Bookkeeping

experience would help a lot. Jim D. stated that the Carol Porto facility has change their name to Avenue Recovery Center. Their

Wednesday night meeting has been discontinued, while the Sunday 8:30 am meeting now meets at 4pm on Sunday.

There will be a guest speaker from Area 29 on Bridging the Gap at the next SMIA meeting, Saturday March 9. All are invited!

Adjournment: Meeting was adjourned at 10:35 pm with the Responsibility Pledge

Submitted by Buddy F., SMIA Secretary

SMIA MEETING MINUTES

FEBRUARY 12, 2019


After recovering the Bookstall receipts from the past 3 months, the SMIA is on solid financial footing. For the first time in months, we are reflecting a fiscal year net gain. This does not account for the funds we transferred from the Prudent Reserve into the Oper-ating Account. Though our Operating funds exceed the Prudent Reserve right now, I am reluctant to move that back until the Where & When publication costs and the pending Bookstall purchases have cleared. After the expected March contributions and Bookstall sales have been deposited, we’ll have a better picture of our true financial standing. We would like to extend our sincere appreciation to our mem-bership for encouraging your groups to support the SMIA core responsibilities.

Treasurer’s Report - February 2019

Tradition 7: Self-support lent me a sense of freedom of thought and of action. As an AA member, I knew, I was not bound by what other people thought. That helped me to open up my mind and start to think for myself--for the first time in a long time. AA gave me proof that

money and spirituality can mix. http://silkworth.net/downloads/pdf/

spiritual_principles_of_the_12_traditions.pdf


Southern Maryland Intergroup Association Inc

Revenue by Donor Summary

January 25 - February 23, 2019

Contributions

Today Group 165.72

Sobriety First 161.00

Beach Beacon 128.00

Living Sober 125.00

KISS Group 100.00

Twelve Steps Home Group 100.00

Nomad Group 89.00

Drunks R Us 80.00

Happy Hour 67.50

Saturday Evening Serenity 30.00

Wits End 25.00

St. Charles Step Group 15.60

As Bill Sees It 5.00

Friday Night Alive 5.00

Lunch With The Big Book 5.00

TOTAL

1,101.82

Southern Maryland Intergroup Association Inc

Top 10 Contributor Honor Roll

May 2018 - April 2019

Contributions

Beach Beacon 1,255.00

Anonymous Donor 1,000.00

Sunday Morning Sobriety 540.00

Sunday Morning Eye

Openers 450.00

Solomons Group 375.00

Inspiration Group 372.70

Back to Basics 335.00

Way Of Life 332.00

La Plata 328.20

Drunks R Us 305.00

Statement of Financial Position

As of February 23, 2019

Total

ASSETS

Current Assets

Bank Accounts

Bookstall Cash on hand 100.00

Business Savings (1168) 5,439.37

Petty Cash 57.70

Primary Business Checking (6806) 6,375.01

Transfer from Prudent Reserve -1,552.90

Transfer to Operating Fund 1,552.90

Total Bank Accounts $11,971.11

Total Current Assets $11,971.11

TOTAL ASSETS $11,971.11

Opening Balance Equity 11,762.54

Retained Earnings -442.43

Net Revenue 651.00

Total Equity $11,971.11

TOTAL LIABILITIES AND EQUITY $ 11,971.11

Statement of Activity

February 2019

Total

Revenue

Bookstall Sales 1,708.10

Contributions 1,101.82

Total Revenue $2,809.92

Gross Profit $2,809.92

Expenditures

Lifeline Printing 49.87

Phone Answering Service 200.77

Rent & Lease 300.00

Total Expenditures $550.64

Net Operating Revenue $2,259.28

Net Revenue $2,259.28


DISTRICT 1 CALVERT COUNTY

District Meeting:

7 PM, 3rd Mon-

day

St. Paul’s Episc.

Church

Prince Freder-

ick, MD

District 1 Trust

Fund

PO Box 234

Barstow, MD 20610

www.calvertaa.org

DISTRICT 35 -

CHARLES COUNTY

OPEN SERVICE

POSITIONS:

• Public Info

• Secretary

• Hospitality Chair

District Meeting:

7 PM, 1st Thurs

Peace Lutheran Church

Waldorf MD

District 35, PO Box 1981, La

Plata, MD 20646

DISTRICT 36 - ST. MARY'S COUNTY

GREAT 12-STEP OPPORTUNITY!

New treatment center needs support. Local groups from all districts are

needed to take meetings. Meeting calendar flexible This is a unique oppor-

tunity to help local Newcomers build a solid foundation and learn about

strong sponsorship. Contact Pat. S. for more info - 301-481-2090

District Meeting: 6:30 PM, 2nd Tuesday

@ Hollywood Rescue Squad Bldg., Hollywood

Mailing Address: District 36, PO Box 1334,

California, MD 20619

“We ask that we be given strength and direction to do the right thing, no matter what the

personal consequences might be.” Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 79

http://www.calvertaa.org/


SOUTHERN MARYLAND INTERGROUP ASSOCIATION

CHAIR: Pat S.

VICE CHAIR: John L.

SECRETARY: Buddy F.

TREASURER: Bill L.

PARLIAMENTARIAN: Bruce O.

Where & When: Pat P.

Lifeline: Keith H.

Telephone: Emme J.

Website: Bill L.

Bookstall: Keenan W.

The Lifeline is an unofficial newsletter published by Southern

Maryland Intergroup Association, Inc. Any opinions expressed are

those of the writers. They are not endorsed by SMIA, any group

or AA as a whole. Group secretaries and individuals are encour-

aged to send group news, anniversaries and events. Material may

be edited for space and content. Please send all Lifeline corre-

spondence to:

[email protected]

THE DEADLINE FOR ALL LIFELINE SUBMISSIONS IS THE

27th OF EACH MONTH.

Please send any updates for the Where & When to:

[email protected].

Current Where and When meeting guides are available at the monthly SMIA meeting.

“Our leaders are but trusted

servants, they do not govern.”

One of the most important things in recovery is helping the still suffering alcoholic. The

SMIA is committed to this principle and provides a 24x7 Telephone Service. But phone

support is of no benefit if we do not have service committed people to call . We have a

simple and secure method for you to add your name to the SMIA 12-Step Call List. This

information is protected and will only be shared with the Phone Committee Chair. Go

online to the intergroup website, www.somdintergroup.org (the 12-step Phone List link

is on this page). Click on the link to access, complete the online form, and discover

the benefits of this valuable service opportunity by connecting with others throughout

the local community. You will be amazed before you’re half way through.

SMIA PHONE REPORT

FEBRUARY

2019

“And above all, let us remember that great legions who still suffer from alcoholism and who are still without hope. Let us, at any cost

or sacrifice, so improve our communication with all these that they may find what we have found.”

Bill Wilson, ©The AA Grapevine, February 1961

County Want to

Talk Need a Ride

Meeting Info

Other* Total Calls

Calvert

Charles

St. Mary’s

Not Speci-fied

Total Calls 3

TWELVE SPIRITUAL PRINCIPLES / VIRTUES

Bill W. considered each step to be a spiritual prin-ciple in and of itself. However, he outlined the spiritual principles behind each step. Reading these principles and actually practicing them in your day-to-day lives are two entirely different things and the latter requires vigilance and willing-ness.

#3 FAITH – Complete confidence; belief and

trust.

“Practicing Step Three is like the opening of a

door which to all appearances is still closed

and locked. All we need is a key, and the deci-

sion to swing the door open. There is only one

key, and it is called willingness.” 12x12, p. 34

https://www.aacle.org/twelve-spiritual-principles/

mailto:[email protected]

http://www.somdintergroup.org

step 3 of our 12 step program is based on a simple ...somdintergroup.org/docs/lifeline/march 2019...

Documents