It's a beautiful night in Dayton. There were 14 experienced AA members at our meeting tonight. Tim H., a regular member from years ago, got a 20 year anniversary token.

Step two - Came to believe that a power greater than ourselves could restore us to sanity.

This is my favorite step.

Our chairperson opened by talking about how the literature clearly states we don't have to believe in anything, that the steps are suggestions. He spoke of how we have a large hoop to jump through here, and can make it with room to spare, if we have willingness and are open minded. This fact that AA is open to people of all beliefs, or none at all, was appreciated by many of our members. The first person to talk hit me where I am now, she discussed how it is a challenge to bring this step to bear on problems other than alcohol. I realize in some things, I am not willing to be restored to sanity.

It was pointed out, however, that Bill W. was speaking of the insanity, the peculiar mental twists, that come before an alcoholic takes that first drink, knowing what the consequences will surely be. And some believe the steps were divinely inspired, and the fact that Bill wrote the steps, and the Big Book, when he was only sober a relatively short time, bears witness to it. I dunno about that, but like Ed, a big part of step two for me, in the beginning and now, is the knowledge that the AA program works.

Ed is atheist, and this is his daily faith, that he is alcoholic, AA works, and he wants to stay sober today. Many others, perhaps the majority of AA's, have a personal belief in a Higher Power, who we call God, that is not defined by any religion, a generic belief in something bigger than us all. We talked about Don S., a departed member who was a Marinist Brother in the Catholic church, and we talked about some other long time members who have went to the big meeting in the sky. I spoke of the old days when Tim and others would go to Frisch's restaurant after the meeting for a snack, and how seeing other drunks my age, not full of shit, and sober and enjoying life, made step two so much easier for me.

Lou O. had the best story. He is one of the 4 members there tonight with over 30 years of continuous sobriety. He said he has , a dachshund with a bladder problem, who drinks about a gallon and a half of water a day, and spreads it on his lawn. The grass is dead in spots, so this being spring, Lou got some grass seed and dug a little and seeded the bare areas. It has rained heavily early this week, and Lou said nothing was happening with the grass seed. He was angry at the rain, wishing it would stop, so he could properly water the newly planted grass seed! Then he got it, sat back and saw the little seeds start to sprout in the last day or so, as the weather has warmed and nature's rain has done a proper job of watering. So it is with step two for us experienced AA's, George says he has came to the conclusion that there is a lot more coming to to come to.

If you want to find a reason to drink, you will. If you want to find a way to stay sober, step two is open for you, you can make it work.

-Chuck, Vegetarian fanboy