The moves and steps we learnt will remain with us for quite sometime and I’m sure if you ask the ladies who attended they will not be shy in showing you a few of their favorite moves.

To all who attended our functions the AA Social Club of Singapore thanks you.

Your support and encouragement for us to be of service to you, has been the highlight of our year.

Please continue to support you Social Club and to pass on suggestions for outings as they are so important to us.

“God, I offer myself to Thee—to build with me and to do with me as Thou wilt. Relieve me of the bondage of self, that I may better do Thy will. Take away my difficulties, that victory over them may bear witness to those I would help of Thy Power, Thy Love, and Thy Way of life. May I do Thy will always!” (p. 63 BB) Simple words to say and yet not so simple to live everyday. On my knees saying this prayer daily upon waking helps me focus on what my responsibilities are as a recovering alcoholic—to be of service to others as God would have me be.

When I was a practicing alcoholic this was not my daily spiritual ritual. I had no daily spiritual ritual other than how can I get through my day to make myself feel good and/or control those around me. And if that benefited anyone, so be it. My intention was not necessarily to altruistically serve others unless it made me look good.

My bondage to self was rather strong. Of course I was prideful of this characteristic, rationalizing that this was a good trait to have. I could focus on achieving my goals because it was important to take care of me with little regard for others unless I needed to be ‘nice’ to someone to get my way. I remember many occasions giving co-workers my opinion on a subject that I assumed I was a SME (subject matter expert) only to find out that they found it offensive. I mean, really, I was here to help them. If they were going to be successful in their career, they needed to listen to me and take my advice. I was only trying to help them achieve their goal, which translated into helping them achieve my goal by justifying what I told them to do was the best thing for them professionally.

This mentality of telling people what is best for them without solicitation also translated into my personal life with my now ex- husband and children. I remember early on in my marriage telling my ex-husband that he needed to give his boss a piece of his mind

because of the boss’ poor management skills and have my ex take control of his career. Wow! How insane is that? Looking back on that situation makes me wonder how anyone would want to live with me. Even with my children there were plenty of examples where I would have them do things school related because it would make me ‘in’ with the important families in town. It is with sadness as I look back over the years and realize how insane I was in my thinking of self and how little I thought of others. It is with joy that today I am aware of my insanity and know I have a program to help me understand and correct my insanity by directing me to do God’s will—to be of service to others as God would have me be. God, Take my will and my life. Guide me in my recovery. Show me how to live. AMEN (p. 59 BB)

The following is a short summary from Doreen ( Chairperson for H&I and PI work ) regarding the AA workshop held as a Public Information Session for Professionals. There were several counsellors, psychologists and one doctor present.

(*H&I- Hospital and Institutions. PI- Public Information) Hello my name is Doreen. I am an alcoholic. I do service work for H.I &P.I for inter-group. I have been in this position for over a year now. On the 18th.November we did an AA workshop for professional and medical people. We had 18 turn up for it.

It was held at Damien Center.

We started off with an AA female member,sharing her experience,strength and hope.

Then we had a panel of 3 AA members.who were asked questions by the professionals and medical people. This was followed by a male AA member sharing his experience, strength and hope. The whole evening was very successful and we will do another Workshop next year.

We handed out many many books,in Tamil and in Mandarin, and also many pamphlets. Everyone who attended filled out a feedback sheet and I responded to each one individually. In the new year 2012 we have been asked to do an AA workshop at the premises of one of the professionals who attended.

If any members are interested in taking part in this, please get in touch with me. The cost of the evening was about $650

Thanks to all members for their 7th.tradition because without tradition 7 it would not have been possible to carry the message in this way. This is all very new for Singapore .It is also all very new for me in my sobriety and it helps to keep me sober on a daily basis. I am always looking for members to help out with P.I & H.I. work, whether it be school talks or IMH hospital talks. Some of it is during the day and some of it is in the evenings.

So if you can help out in any way. Please get in touch with me.

I would also like to give all AA members who helped out in the evening of the workshop a big, big thank you, because without all of you none of this would of been possible. I do wish every one all the best.