Polly P. – AA Traditions and Relationships – 2013

About This Speaker Tape

Polly P. maps out the relief of being 'in the phone book' again and the joy of a long-term sponsorship that has spanned three decades. She cuts through the rigidity of the alcoholic mind, arguing that the Higher Power uses the chaos of scheduling changes and conference mishaps to force a person to loosen up and 'wear life like a loose garment.' Between the laughter and the shout-outs to her fellow recovery heroes, she reflects on the necessity of releasing the stranglehold on life and simply going with the flow of the session.

Topics

Timestamps

• 0:00 Polly introduces herself and her sobriety date: April 11, 1977.
• 0:30 Laughter: Discussion about the joy of being in the phone book.
• 1:10 Polly discusses her 31-year sponsorship relationship.
• 1:45 Polly describes the frustration and rigidity of alcoholics when schedules change.
• 2:15 The metaphor of wearing life like a 'loose garment' to combat rigidity.
• 3:00 Laughter: Mention of Lee's stress over the conference changes.
• 3:45 Polly's reflections on Bob's story and the authenticity of his alcoholism.
• 4:20 Polly discusses the need to release the 'stranglehold on life' based on Linda's words.
• 5:00 Polly expresses gratitude for the fellowship and seeing Sharon after two years.