I had relatives but I didn’t have a family...
I had friends but I didn’t have relationships...
I had religion but I didn’t have faith...
I had sex but I didn’t have intimacy...

I kept asking myself the same questions...
Do you want to feel normal...
Do you want to simply fit in...
And then I finally listened for the answers...

It’s up to you to take the first step...
Sitting on the bench is not enough...
Don’t merely show up and sit by yourself...
Start off by opening up...
Introduce yourself to the person sitting next to you...

You never have to be alone...
There is always someone who wants to hear your story...

We’ve all been where you are right now...
We have found an easier way of living and we can show you the path...
Take your time...
We will earn your trust...

Stop looking and start seeing...
Stop thinking and start feeling...
Stop talking and start listening...
Stop taking and start giving...
Stop judging and start accepting...

It’s up to you to take the first step...
Sitting on the bench is not enough...
Don’t merely show up and sit by yourself...
Start off by opening up...
Introduce yourself to the person sitting next to you...

Raise your hand and say hello...
People around you will reply in kind...
Some people on the outside might actually want you to fail...
But everyone in AA wants you to win...

Stop taking and start giving...
Stop looking and start seeing...
Stop thinking and start feeling...
Stop asking and start receiving...

Take your time...
We will earn your trust...
By listening to others you will soon realize we have a lot in common...
Don’t look for the differences...
Look for the similarities...

You are one of us and we will embrace you...
You are finally safe to be who you truly are...
You will never, ever be judged...
We are the family you’ve always wanted...

Stop doubting and start believing...
Stop fighting and start embracing...
Stop taking and start giving...
Stop thinking and start feeling...

It’s up to you to take the first step...
Sitting on the bench is not enough...
Don’t merely show up and sit by yourself...
Start off by opening up...

© 2020 Jeffrey Pipes Guice