It’s funny, a friend mentioned in our recovery meeting the other night that he found himself singing the Cheers theme song (TV show from the 80’s). The song was about going to the same bar and drinking where “everybody knows your name.”
He was speaking of what happens in our recovery meetings. It is a safe place to go and be known and heard—where everybody knows your name—without the alcohol part. It makes so much sense.
Our meetings are the same concept. We meet. We share with each other in honesty and fellowship. We talk about the bad and celebrate the good with each other and cheer each other on. The sharing of the hard stuff and having others relate is so bonding. It creates a safe space for others to do the same.
Recovery meetings. There is no other venue in the world like it. The same concept that drove us to the bar, now drives us to meetings—again, without the alcohol. We find fellowship and understanding. Camaraderie—close friendships, teammates, loyalty. We share unique understanding of where our addictions and compulsions have taken us. Then we hear how others have come through the hardships and tragedies without having to drink or use. We learn from each other and support when there is no obvious answer to our dilemmas. We find a spiritual connection with God and each other. Our trust gets stronger. In God, in each other and the process itself.
We see how our progress and transformation can help others. Just by showing up to meetings and sharing, we are being of service to others. The “habit” of meetings gets established to replace the old habit of checking out as our solution. What a concept. We say at the end of each meeting “Keep coming back, it works.” Or as I like to say, “It’s working.” Which implies the process is continuous and ongoing.
We hope you join us on this path to recovery, where…
Everybody knows your name.
Cheers to Recovery!
Cheers—Where Everybody Knows Your Name (Theme song)
“Making your way in the world today takes everything you've got. Taking a break from all your worries, sure would help a lot. Wouldn't you like to get away? Sometimes you want to go…Where everybody knows your name, and they're always glad you came. You wanna be where you can see, our troubles are all the same, You wanna be where everybody knows Your name.”
“Do not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
Hebrews 10:25
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