I have evolved (or devolved) in our microcosm society of Alcoholics Anonymous over the last 27 years – I’m not sure which it is and I’m not all that sure all of the time that I’ve gone in the right direction.

On occasions like today I run into a program ‘thumper’ described as one who is an expert on the steps – and I feel like I’m bringing the wrong message to those still suffering from alcoholism. This of course begs the question: What exactly should be our message?

Responsibility Statement
I am responsible…
When anyone, anywhere,
reaches out for help, I want
the hand of A.A. always to be there.
And for that: I am responsible.

I spend a lot of time thinking and speaking about the evolution of my experience and life in the fellowship. Does this help the newcomer? I like to think in fact I believe it does. I don’t reference the text ‘Alcoholics Anonymous’ like I once did – like I used to. In fact, I was rather a thumper myself in earlier years. Rather these days, I will vaguely reference the steps in a more general way and talk in-depth of what it used to be like, what happened, and what it’s like now. I most always include the fact that I continue to stumble and fall – but that these days I get back up again and move on. (It should be stated that my ‘falls’ are not slips but rather sins and shortcomings).