Not Superior or an Authority of Any Sort

I find myself often talking to alcoholics who are not really All In with A.A.  I'm okay with this for the most part.  It's an odd philosophy, when you think about it, incorporating tons of different concepts and beliefs and practices that have been culled from ancient philosophies and religions and belief systems.  What strikes me is that if you don't have some kind of community to lean on then recovery is harder and sketchier.  I cannot imagine trying to recover all by myself.  I urge people to do something with other people - A.A., recovery groups, fraternal organizations, church, whatever.  There's nothing more suspicious than an alcoholic by himself, thinking.  With a lot of these people I find it's me reaching out to them and not the other way around even though the other way around is how it works best.  Why is it so hard to ask for help?  From people who have made such a mess of things that they clearly need help?

We try never to talk to newcomers from a position of superiority or authority.

I was at our local farmer's market today.  Normally, if my tab includes some change I wave it off, let the local farmer have it.  I don't want a quarter in my pocket.  I don't know what to do with change.  I think we should ban change.  I think everything should cost one dollar or multiples thereof.  Today, for reasons unknown to me, I went ahead and took the fifty cents in change, and as I was leaving the stand I walked by a little girl of ten or so who bent over and picked up a dime from the ground, and was obviously pleased at this found money.  As I walked by I held out my hand and said: "Here." and dropped the fifty cents on top of her dime, and just kept walking, not saying a word.  She was with a couple of adults when I did this and as I walked off the look of amazement on her face was just incredible.  Made my day.  Cost me a whole four bits.