Barber Shop

“If you hang out at the Barber Shop, eventually you are going to get a haircut.”

Written by my dear friend in recovery, Steve S.

Most people in AA have heard this statement in a meeting, from a sponsor, a CD counselor, or just some guy having a smoke outside after a meeting.  It’s one of the oldest little bits of “folksy” wisdom around in the “community”.  It’s meaning is of course to discourage us alcoholics from going to bars … if you hang out at a bar you will eventually start to drink.

At a first glance it seems to make sense.  Why would you hang out at a barbershop if you didn’t want to get a haircut?  But, does it really express what the real challenge an alcoholic has with the compulsive craving to drink?  Have you ever heard of anyone getting a dozen haircuts a week?  Do you know of someone that had an uncontrollable compulsion to get a haircut?  Step one: We admitted that we are powerless over trimmers–our hair had become unmanageable….

Normal Rockwell 1918

With just a little thought, it becomes obvious that this is really a very silly statement, so in that light … others and myself have begun a list of equally silly statements that could be used in meetings to express the same analogy.  Feel free to use any of them, and if you have any you think of please send them to me so I can add them to the list.

• If you hang out at the circus, eventually you are going to join the act.

• If you hang out at the docks, eventually you are going to meet a sailor.

• If you hang out at the gym, eventually you are going to lift some weights.

• If you hang out at the golf course, eventually you are going to swing a club.

• If you hang out at the Gynecologist, eventually you are going to get in the stirrups.

• If you hang out at the guitar store, eventually you are going to play “Stairway to Heaven”.

• If you hang out at the dentist, eventually you are going to date a hygienist.

• If you hang out with a serial killer, eventually you are going to end up in a freezer.

• If you hang out at the ranch, eventually you are going to ride a horse.

• If you hang out at the strip club, eventually you are going to see some boobs.

Please post a comment with your own silly IF YOU statement and I will make sure it is passed along to Steve.

The Baker

The would be baker stared through the vertical peephole created as the door opened ever so slightly. Brilliant light blinded his eyes for a moment.  He wondered if he was in the right place. He glanced down at his scribbled notes.  The letters and numbers all seemed to jump off the rumpled piece of paper.  Yes, he was in the place.  He knew it.

“This doesn’t look like a bakery,” he thought to himself as he scratched his head.  Again, he strained to make out any form of movement beyond the door in front of him.  Nothing.  The light was simply too bright.  For a moment he felt foolish.  Just then he heard the voice–the voice that called him “apprentice”.

“Who knows how it happens?  Who cares?

Accept the analytics of the mind.

They despair, oh, they despair…

When upon a point of light–

Something magical appears.

Who knows how it happens?  Who cares?

Except those reasonable,

They despair, oh, they despair…

When upon a point of light,

A loaf becomes a thousand loaves.

When upon a point of light,

A dream or a thousand wishes–

Become fulfilled in me and you.”

And so the baker stood in silence.  Of his breathing, he was aware.  Of a simple voice so clear.  ”When upon a point of light something magical appears.”  He pondered the words, now written upon his heart.

STAY POSTED FOR THE CONTINUING STORY

The Door

The Door to the human heart can only be opened from the inside.–Spanish Proverb

“As many as I love, I rebuke and chasten: be zealous therefore, and repent.

Behold, I stand at the door, and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him….

To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne….  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.” (Rev._3:19-22)

SEEK, yes.  ASK, definitely.  But the door to your heart opens from the inside.  Only YOU can open the door.