God, Human Folly, and Laughter - AA Speaker - Jay S.

Jay once lived in a Pinto and called it his "outdoorsman phase." In AA, inventory, amends, sponsorship, and laughter helped him become a man people call when they need someone to show up.

☀️ Sober Sunrise AppListen to Sober Sunrise AA speaker talks anytime, track your sober time, take a daily pledge, and keep recovery support close throughout the day.📱 https://sober-sunrise.com/appIf you enjoy the app or find it useful in your recovery, a quick rating or review on the App Store would mean a lot and helps more people find Sober Sunrise.

☀️ Sober Sunrise Episode ArchiveHundreds of AA speaker tapes and recovery stories:https://sober-sunrise.com/episodes

🧡 Sober Sunrise Merchhttps://sober-sunrise.com/merch

🌴 Sober Sunrise Newsletterhttps://sober-sunrise.com/newsletter

Jay came to Alcoholics Anonymous on May 2, 1979, after drinking from age 12, losing jobs, collecting arrests, and living in his car while insisting he was simply going through an outdoorsman phase. Alcoholism had touched nearly every branch of his family, but at his first meeting he heard people describe a freedom he had never known and was invited to join them at the beach afterward. Almost drinking on his third day brought him back to the club asking someone to "talk program to me," and a copy of the Big Book gave him language for the problem and actions he could take. He describes an awkward but sincere prayer, a sponsor and his wife who welcomed him into their home, a first inventory at 22 days sober that amounted to his greatest hits, and amends and sponsorship before his first month was over. Paying back his grandmother brought an unexpected response: she wanted to tell the women at church that the grandson they had been praying for had been restored. Jay connects those early actions with the life he has today: a sober household, daily Step Eleven practice, a daughter who has never had to fear her father, and the ability to be present for other people's joy and grief. A later Third Step leads him to help build a church in Belize, where he finds another alcoholic and exchanges stories with him in the jungle. Throughout this funny, direct AA talk, Jay returns to taking the Steps, making things right, staying available, and helping others. His closing quote about God, human folly, and laughter leaves room for mystery while reminding him to make good use of the part he can share.

Jay S. from Redondo Beach, CA speaking at The Way of Life Speakers Meeting in Goleta, CA - March 28th 2008

Music: