January 16 2014 Full daily blog: http://donoddylondon.blogspot.co.uk/2014/01/alcoholics-anonymous-jan-16-2004-2014.html ] | AA 12 Steps In Action | Step 1 “Powerless” | Alcoholics Anonymous 2013 “Who Is John Barleycorn?” The references in The Big Book, The 12×12 and AA Comes of Age were likely made in loose regard to the 1913 autobiographical novel by the extremely popular American author Jack London that chronicled his struggles with alcoholism. The novel’s title “John Barleycorn” was taken from the British folksong of the same name. In the song John Barleycorn represents the vital barley grain crop and the beer and/or whiskey made from it. In the song, John Barleycorn suffers pain, humiliation and death, in ways which are said to represent the growth, cutting and distilling of barley. Around the time of the writing of much of A.A.’s literature “John Barleycorn” had come to be used as a euphemism for alcoholism or alcohol. There are many different versions of the song and the content can vary considerably but generally have to do with themes of growth, suffering, death, alcohol, revenge… and barley.
Given the choice, would you play Russian roulette? With a clear head and a focus on reality, would you pick up a gun, with one bullet in one chamber and five empty and spin the chamber, point the gun at your head and fire? The odds favour the stupid and insane. And yet life is about risk, life is about courage, and life is about bravery. And life is about having fun. In our right mind. We wouldn’t even consider Russian roulette. And yet everyone doubts the dangers apply to them when it comes to alcohol. The consequences of being out of control impact emotionally and physically. I worked hard and played hard over thirty-five years, alcohol a constant companion. And they say, whoever they are, and I’ve yet to meet them, “nothing is wasted in God’s economy.” Actually, I’m happy to say that nothing is wasted in God’s economy, and I do not want to put the clock back, alcohol served its purpose in my life, at the same time, many people are not alive to tell the tale and only serve as dead examples of the consequences with alcohol…
Alcoholics Anonymous, 12 Steps AA, Addiction And Recovery, DonInLondon, Don Oddy,
DonInLondon [ Full daily blog: http://oddbook.co ]
AA Official Online Site: Daily Reflections http://www.aa.org/lang/en/aareflections.cfm
AA Official Online Site: Big Book And Twelve And Twelve http://www.aa.org/lang/en/subpage.cfm?page=359
January 2013 | Step One Reading Video Link: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TZEA67loEnw
January 2013 | Video Reading How It Works: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7Rj3wPVvk3Q
January 2013 | Video Reading A Vision For You: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=t8B5pqwGXgU
January 2013 | Playlist About Step One: http://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLFF27FC43CF7CF17C
don@doninlondon.com
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