despairing wives, the little children; let the solving of these problems become a part of their daily work… We feel, after many years of experience, that we have found nothing which has contributed more to the rehabilitation of these men than the altruistic movement…” The Doctor’s Opinion, page xxviii “Your job now is to be at the place where you may be of maximum helpfulness to others, so never hesitate to go anywhere if you can be helpful. You should not hesitate to visit the most sordid spot on earth on such an errand. Keep on the firing line of life with these motives and God will keep you unharmed.” Working With Others, page 102 Bill W. did not stay sober by sitting in the hotel lobby waiting for a suffering alcoholic to come to him. He got on his feet and went directly to the hospital to seek out another alcoholic. I am the kind of alcoholic that needs to be in the middle of the action, directly on the firing line, if I am to stay sober. I see the firing line as the opportunities that allow me to be of maximum service to the wettest

alcoholics. I see the firing line as: manning the AA hotline and carrying the message to AA meetings at the places with the most suffering alcoholics. Here in Singapore, those meetings are: Institute of Mental Health (Saturday), National Addictions Management Services (Tuesday), Angsana Halfway House (Friday), and We Care (Sunday). Just across the border, there is a new monthly meeting in Johor Bahru. When I am on the firing line, I can see and experience the most direct, tragic consequences of alcoholism. When I am on the firing line, I get a buzz, knowing that I am being of maximum service to God and those about me. I recently made a commitment to add the Tuesday Night 7p.m. NAMS meeting to my weekly schedule and have started working with a new sponsee there–a local Singaporean gentleman currently living in the halfway house. Getting out of my comfort zone, adding a new weekly meeting, and working with a new sponsee have rejuvenated my recovery. Only by being on the firing line, can I keep my sobriety, and thus, continue to enjoy the blessings recovery has given me. ~Eric C.