F.R.E.S.H. News

BACK TO BASIS - " Here are the steps we took..."

By Cheryl McKinley

Back to Basics is a book and a program which has been in practice since 1997. Wally P., archivist and historian, has resurrected the forgotten role of Beginner's Meetings, when in the 40's and 50's recovering people were "taking" the steps, not  "working" the steps. Thus in the space of four meetings, a beginner could expect to take all steps of the 12-Step program.

I met Wally P. at Hazelden's Alive and Free alumni weekend.  We as a group spent parts of Friday, Saturday and Sunday taking the steps together.  It was a profound renewal of our spiritual program for most of us there.  For many it was also a new way of seeing the program of recovery and for a few it was an opportunity to actually take the steps
for the first time.

The program in April of 2010 is a re-enactment of the sessions as they were held in the mid 1940's.  Wally will be in St. Louis for the first time, to share with our community how this method works to help so many. Quoting from the introduction of his book, "If you have a problem other than alcohol, substitute your addiction, affliction or compulsive behavior for the word alcohol each time you see or hear it during these Beginners' Meetings.  If you do this, you too will recover as the direct result of taking ALL Twelve Steps in four one-hour sessions."
Thus, people of all persuasions, with a self-identified need, will be interested to attend this seminar.

Wally does not make any money from this presentation, or the sale of his books.  He tries to stay close to the tradition of service, and usually spends the night in another member's home, goes to a "popular" meeting in whatever city he is working, to share more of this process
with the community.  In short - he gives the program as a gift to us. By circumstance, I had dinner alone with Wally and got to know him more as an individual. I heard more of his personal story and came to understand his creation of this method and his commitment to service.

When I shared my experience and enthusiasm with my friend, Carol Martin, she caught on immediately.  This was a program which we could offer to ALL spiritual seekers, and especially those interested in a new angle on taking the steps.  Or those who felt they had never had
the chance to take all the steps.  Carol is Director of FRESH Renewal Center.  She contacted St. Louis' National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Addiction, to enlist their validation and support, and to help get the word out to our great community.

Thus we have two great non-profit entities, bringing this great speaker to our area for a truly great experience. Mark your calendars for Saturday, April 10, for the Back to Basics
seminar at St. John's Mercy auditorium, so we can "take" the steps together!