I realize the opening day of this New Year was merely a Saturday turning into Sunday, but it really isn’t merely that. It’s the start of a new year—fresh crisp new calendars, maybe a new job or effective date of a promotion, or maybe we view it as an opportunity for a fresh start. Right or wrong, I tend to look at the year’s end as a time of looking back, of answering that old question, “What did I do last year?” Well, our employers may answer that question, but am I not called as a member of our society to look at “what I have done” for our Program this year?  Have I “practiced the Twelve Steps in all [my] our affairs?” 2022 will note several years of recovery for me. While looking bank, I’m afraid I have fallen short—blaming the continuation of present difficult medical realities is an easy excuse. But let’s face it, the prevalence of the ZOOM - ing AA meetings doesn’t do the job. The Program works in part, maybe a large part at that, because of the personal daily contact of the meetings themselves with like-minded folks. It’s not just the newly struggling people, those who are fighting present difficulties or seeking some relief from the stress of it all. It’s the chance to look at the faces, for we need to acknowledge that most communication is non-verbal. We miss that important element of our meetings. Some of us, and let’s be honest, the ZOOM process gives us too much of an easy opportunity to block the screening and audio of ourselves—for a quick cup of coffee or answer the telephone or converse with our spouse, even read a newspaper while merely listening to the comments with “half an ear” of attention. So, in typical AA teachings, I must give my attention to the issue of “What am I going to do about it?” Well, we can’t violate the mandates for the gathering of people given the pandemic. I must follow the medical opportunities to insulate myself. I find I must sometimes look for new meetings. Some new ones aren’t scheduled in the “Where and When’s” or located how I wish. Sometimes meetings are cancelled unbeknownst to me closed at the last minute. Maybe you lost an opportunity to meet weekly with persons in a local lock-down recovery hospital.

Before the pandemic, I was in the habit of “It’s noon! Monday through Friday at St. X Church and time for my meeting!” I was usually there and if not there, at the local hospital working with others or just meeting with fellow members of the Fellowship.

Our options are limited. But I can’t let this pandemic with its necessary restrictions dilute my Program. This year, I must re-commit to that Program—specifically to my habit of a more regularized “Alcoholics Anonymous schedule.” I have to find a way to enjoy the richness of it all.

JRA, St. X Noon