My name is Jim, and I'm an alcoholic.

I must confess I am not the poster child for living harmoniously. I was told, "Practice learning how to live in AA first, because you're a screw-up, Jim!" Now that I know it works, let me tell you some of my thoughts as I meditated while hiking along the Appalachian Trail several days ago. I was awe-struck at all the diverse people in my life within AA and without. Now, not a one of us thinks alike; we are so different, we all have strengths, and we all definitely have weaknesses. What I was thinking was this: AA harmony does not mean conformity. It does not mean we march in step, although we take Steps. We can approach life from almost any angle. We all agree first that to have harmony there needs to be the understanding that we need AA. If I didn't need AA, I wouldn't be a member. So immediately I begin an approach to life. I don't try, when being helpful, to kick people down but to lift people up. I remembered the times when I was kicked down in AA. It hurt, but I didn't stay lost in those feelings. I found that though diverse people met me with everything they had, they as a group found the right harmony . the sound of the chorus. That sounded great, it drew me in, and it helped me to see my place that I, too, could recover. I choose the chorus. One person could mislead, but the group as a whole always means the highest good for each and every member. We try awfully hard at times. We love strong, and sometimes it freaks people out, but there is always someone within our combined voices that will reach a willing heart, and through the joint voices of the chorus we seem to make and keep our newer friends in AA. At the same time, there is the staunch, strict, severe kind of folks, "my-way-or-the-highway" folks, and "by-the-book-or-die" folks. They are equally a strong voice for AA and the message. Oddly, it does take us all. I find a harmony only God could enjoy some days, but I trust that what God starts, he finishes. So even when I feel people in AA butt heads or fight fights, it matters not. The years have proved that we stick together because we have to, and eventually because we want to.

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