Welcome

The English group of Amor y Servicio is responsible for servicing the English speaking population that is interested in experiencing the spiritual experience of 4th and 5th step.

About Us

LOVE AND SERVICE is a community of men, women and youth who share their mutual experience, strength and hope to solve their common problem and help others to recover from addictions, compulsive behaviors and emotional problems. The only requirement for membership in LOVE & SERVICE is a desire to stop suffering, no dues or fees are mandatory. We are financially autonomous as the result of our own contributions.

LOVE AND SERVICE is not affiliated with any sect, denomination, political group, organization or institution. We do not engage in any controversy, nor do we endorse or oppose any cause. Our primary purpose is to stop suffering and help others achieve the same purpose.

WHAT IS LOVE AND SERVICE?

We, the members of love and service, are men. women and youth; who had to admit that our lives had gotten out of control because of addictions, compulsive behaviors or emotional problems. Admitting that we had to find a solution to avoid disaster for ourselves, and the people we love and those who love us . We are part of an international brotherhood with groups in hundreds of cities and several countries where it is already shared in several languages as well as dialects. With the principles of the traditional program of Alcoholics Anonymous, but with the opening to people with problems other than alcoholism.

Our primary goal is to take our message to everyone who is suffering and help them achieve a useful and happy life. As a movement, we avoid entering into any controversy of a social, political or religious nature. We do not endorse or oppose any cause. We are not affiliated with any group or religious denomination. We do not have the desire to integrate everyone into the program, only those who need it and want it. Among our members are men, women and youth of diverse social, economic and cultural origin .

Between us there are members who have gone through deep and sad experiences of pain. Some have been rescued, from prisons, psychiatric hospitals or from complete indigence. And there are others; who were lucky enough to arrive at the program long before losing everything. But we have all found in our fraternity the light, the hope, and the understanding that we needed to obtain our recovery.

In our community there are members of the main religions of the world and we have the support of many religious leaders. but to join us, no specific belief is required or adherence to any formal creed, there are even atheists and agnostics among us who feel comfortable in the program.

“The American Public Health Association presents a Lasker Award for 1951 to Alcoholics Anonymous in recognition of its unique and highly successful ap­proach to that age-old public health and social problem, alcoholism….In emphasizing alcoholism as an illness, the social stigma associated with this condition is being blotted out…Historians may one day point to Alcoholics Anonymous as a society which did far more than achieve a considerable measure of success with alcoholism and its stigma; they may recognize Alcoholics Anonymous to have been a great venture in social pioneering which forged a new instrument for social action; a new therapy based on the kinship of common suffering; one having a vast potential for the myriad other ills of mankind.”

Alcoholics Anonymous as well as, the World Health Organization have defined alcoholism as a disease. In the traditional program it is stated that this disease, manifested in alcoholism or other dependencies or self-destructive attitudes. Are only symptoms of deeper ills and define it as a disease of the soul, which affects the patient physically, mentally, and spiritually. Stating that the solution must be necessarily spiritual and by receiving this spiritual health, the mind and body of the sick also recover.

 

In the program of Love and Service, this spiritual health is received through work in all our affairs of the twelve steps of Love and Service, substituting alcohol if necessary for what we understand is our problem. Specifically, we work on the moral inventory that suggests steps four and five, the same ones that in organized religions are known as examination of conscience and confession of sins. And in the behavioral sciences such as psychology and psychiatry, they are known as personality analysis and catharsis, once this emotional relief has been carried out, the patient is in the right conditions to receive the spiritual aspect of the program. The manifestation of a loving God as each one can conceive him. Like it says in step 2, only He could give us back the calm and our sanity.

We have also learned that for people with problems as severe as ours, they’re few alternatives that actually work for us. By not seeking help, it always seems to involve progressively worsening our situation. It seems certain that without help we are destined to generate more and more damage towards those we love, as well as to ourselves. Yet by understanding and admitting that we need help, and that we were willing to receive it. A series of actions and attitudes were unleashed within us. which before that moment, we were unable to do for ourselves. We begin to enjoy a sense of freedom, of trust, and of hope for an increasingly promising and satisfying future.

We are sure that the basic problems and emotions of a soul sick person are very similar, whether it is a needy person or an economically very solvent person. Be it a professional or a complete illiterate,  regardless if they’re religious or atheist, or the color of their skin, age, or sexual orientation. The internal suffering is the same and this program can give solution to almost any patient who sincerely wishes to stop suffering. Who is willing in all honesty to work his moral inventory, and the rest of the twelve steps of Love and Service.

Love and Service is an alternative movement to Alcoholics Anonymous generated by suggestions from Co-Founders William Griffith Wilson and Dr. Robert Holbrook Smith. Bill W. mentions that: During the course of the history of Alcoholics Anonymous most of our special groups have done wonderful things. If the member remembers to observe the traditions of autonomy and not endorsement, he can take the message of Alcoholics Anonymous to every disturbed area of this turbulent world but we can not allow drug addicts or other non-alcoholic patients to become members of AA. It is clear that this group with double objective should not insist on being called a group of Alcoholics Anonymous, nor include the name of AA in its title. In addition it should not be believed to drug addicts or non-alcoholic patients who belong to this type of association have become members of Alcoholics Anonymous (El Lenguaje del Corazón, pp.223-226).

From Doctor Bob we have obtained the name of our program, since in his last participation in the first international convention of Cleveland in 1950 he spoke of the very thing that we work for. “My good friends in A.A. and of A.A., … I get a big thrill out of looking over a vast sea of faces like this with a feeling that possibly some small thing I did a number of years ago played an infinitely small part in making this meeting possible. I also get quite a thrill when I think that we all had the same problem. We all did the same things. We all get the same results in proportion to our zeal and enthusiasm and stick-to-itiveness. If you will pardon the injection of a personal note at this time, let me say that I have been in bed five of the last seven months and my strength hasn’t returned as I would like, so my remarks of necessity will be very brief.

 

There are two or three things that flashed into my mind on which it would be fitting to lay a little emphasis.  One is the simplicity of our program. Let’s not louse it all up with Freudian complexes and things that are interesting to the scientific mind, but have very little to do with our actual A.A. work. Our Twelve Steps, when simmered down to the last, resolve themselves into the words “love” and “service.” We understand what love is, and we understand what service is. So let’s bear those two things in mind.”

Therefore, in the program love and service as a community, we always try to show our deepest respect and sincerest gratitude to our fundamental program witch is Alcoholics Anonymous. Who has guided us with their experience, and good will, to people with different problems. That might differ from just alcoholism and that is why; in all the Love and Service rooms are the images of the founders of AA, Bill W. and Doctor Bob. As well as the twelve steps and the twelve traditions, of Love and service that have been shaped but those of A.A. We make use of their literature and when they allow it, we receive their direct experience, their love, and their wisdom. That is also why the emblem of Love and Service has the circle that represents the program as a whole, the triangle represented by the three legacies: unity, service, and recovery. Lastly there’s the frame that represents the four attitudes our the code: love , understanding, tolerance, and respect. There even those who consider the table the 4 absolutes of the Oxford Groups (Honesty, Love, Disinterest and purity).

Naturally a life far from the situations that forced us to seek help, might seem boring or meaningless life. We feared that our new friends of the program might be annoying spoilers or worse, religious fanatics. We realized that instead of this, they were humans. Equal to us, but they had the special virtue of understanding our problem with compassion and without judging us.

Each group has complete autonomy to manage their own affairs, as long as they do not harm the program as a whole. Handling themselves in accordance with the laws, and regulations of each place. Which are conducted with respect for the rights and dignity of the people, and provide what is necessary for the safety and physical integrity of its members, and never allow or encourage any kind of profit and personal benefit.

Our principles, like those of AA, have been drawn from medicine, religion, and the experience of our companions who have walked this path before us.

Part of the ideology of our community is derived from traditional axioms and slogans as:

1) First Things First

2) Easy does it but do it

3) Honestly….. Honesty….. Honesty…..

4) Live and let live

5) But for the grace of god

6) One day at a time.

7) Just for Today

8) Progress, not perfection

9) think……think…….think

 

“If you miss your meetings, do not ask why you relapse”

We also give continuous use to three prayers that lead us on a daily basis through our recovery. These are; the prayer of Our Father, and the prayer of Serenity “God, grant me the serenity to accept the things that I can not change, courage to change the ones I can, and wisdom to tell us the difference), as well as the legacy of responsibility, (I am responsible when anyone and anywhere reaches out for help, I want the hand of Love and Service to always be there and that’s why I I’m responsible, so be it).

Today through the Love and Service program, we know that we are not depriving ourselves of anything, in fact, we have been liberated and discover that our lives have entered a new dimension. We have new friends, new horizons, and new attitudes. After spending years of despair and frustration, many of us believe that for the first time we have really begun to live, this is why we like to share this new life with every person who is suffering as we also suffered. Through our hands can leave from the dark caverns where they meet and find the path that leads them from darkness to light.

In short, Love and Service is available to anyone who needs help. If you receive this message and it’s something for you, look for us. If you already have a group and would like to integrate it into the formality and legality of this movement, look for us. We assure you that under the cover of Love and Service, but especially under the cover of our higher power, that presides over all of us, you will find the peace and the tranquility that you have always been searching for. Grant yourself the opportunity to know, the useful and happy life that is within your reach. You and your family deserve it.

 

MISSION STATEMENT OF

Love  & Service

Is a community of men, women and youth who share their mutual experience, strength and hope in order to solve their common problem. As well as help others recover from addictions, compulsive behaviors, and other emotional problems.

The only requirement to belong to love and service; is to want to stop suffering and live the spiritual experience of the 4th and 5th step, of the love and service program.

To be a member of love and service, no fees or collections are due, we maintain ourselves from our own contributions.

Love and service is not affiliated with any sect, religion, political party, organization or any institution. Love and service does not intervene in controversies and does not endorse or oppose any cause.

Our primary objective is to stop suffering and help others achieve this same goal.

 

CO-FOUNDERS OF OURS ROOTS

 

• We have to recognize the fact that no non-alcoholic individual, regardless of their affliction, can not become an alcoholic member of A.A.

 

• Of course, members of A.A. should be encouraged; if they are interested in joining groups to deal with the problems of drugs and sedatives. Yet they should refrain from calling themselves groups of A.A.

 

• Such a group with a double objective should not insist on calling itself a group of A.A., nor on including the name of A.A. in its title. In addition, non-alcoholic drug addicts belonging to this group should not be led to believe that, by virtue of this type of association, they have become members of A.A.

 

• If the member remembers to observe the Traditions of anonymity and incorporation, they can carry the message of A.A. to every disturbed area of this turbulent world.

 

BILL W.

• “There are two or three things that flashed into my mind on which it would be fitting to lay a little emphasis.  One is the simplicity of our program. Let’s not louse it all up with Freudian complexes and things that are interesting to the scientific mind, but have very little to do with our actual A.A. work. Our Twelve Steps, when simmered down to the last, resolve themselves into the words “Love” and “Service.” We understand what love is, and we understand what service is. So let’s bear those two things in mind.”

 

SUGGESTED STATUTES OF
LOVE AND SERVICE

 

1.- Love and service is primarily a spiritual entity, but also formal and legal in order to serve as a link of unity among its members. Formally responds to religious, medical or civil issues that are incumbent on us, and also used to support groups with support in legal, fiscal or legal issues that we have to face as a whole. (1 tradition) Concept of Service

 

2.- Love and Service only has the capacity to guide work within its own activities, it can not and must not interfere with the internal autonomy of any belonging group. (4th tradition)

 

3.-Love and service should not allow proselytizing but should not oppose any intergroup or movement of the United States or abroad (Principle: Support if affiliation: No and not endorse or oppose any cause).

 

4.-Love and service repeatedly suggests all registered groups subject to federal, state and local laws that govern our affairs (12 concepts).

 

5.-Love and service should always be kept out of controversies, among other intergroups. The participation of its members to us should be subject to their experience as patients and their recovery process. (Back-up principle if non-affiliation and manual of AA services, cooperation with inter groups)

6.- Love and service will always suggest to all the groups belonging to and registered, to never encourage or allow any individual, group or association to profit economically from our members (7 and 8 tradition).

7.- In Love and Service the GSO; The service committees and the custody committees and in general all our activities must be subject to the suggested principles of AA service as long as they do not clash with situations specific to our specific work. (AA service manual).

8.- All meetings, and activities of Love and Service agreements must be registered in a service log that will have two copies; one for the Love and Service file and another for the historical record service. (MANUAL OF SERVICES OF AA HISTORICAL ARCHIVES).

9.- Love and service will do everything possible to obtain and provide their member groups, without subjecting them in any way to this and without affecting their autonomy, a basic work guide that contains: a sponsorship guide, a chain guide, an autonomy of experience, a guide of services and an updated directory of the groups belonging to Love and Service (4 tradition).

10.-Love and Service will always seek to maintain the work of the inventory based on the basic principles that initiating groups made in their first experiences, thus keeping it safe from “improvements” or “corrections” that modify it. (Principle: keep it simple and going back to the fundamentals).

11.-Love and service will never have a punitive character towards any member, group, area or state belonging to it but, if necessary, it will be able to make specific suggestions to correct and improve our service (third tradition).

12.-Love and service suggests that in our activities we only use the approved literature of AA, A & S, within the retreat work we may use the Sacred Scriptures when this does not go against the autonomy of each group .

13.- Love and service can not be held liable for any action or activity carried out by any member or group belonging to it, which due to ignorance, negligence, ill will or other interests, generate an injury or damage to a person, group, entity or property.

14.- Love and Service will seek to be in communication with the groups through newsletters or regular publications of the official page of Love and Service. To publicize activities, notifications or motivations, as well as appoint a state delegate to serve as a unit link and communication especially from the groups towards the GSO of Love and Service (AA Service Manual).

15.- In Love and service, all decisions will be taken as our principles, suggest by the democratic decisions of its members (third legacy).

16.- The 12 steps and 12 traditions of Love and service that A.A. has allowed us to use, together with our charter, the booklet that is Love and service, the structure of the GSO and the present autonomy. As well as the approved manuals of Love and Service will be our Foundation of Love and Service, witch will be unmovable once they are approved. Together with AA literature, they will be the only guide for the development, growth and maturity of the movement known as Love and Service.

17.-The purpose of these points is that LOVE AND SERVICE builds a solid and permanent bases, so that work within the groups and especially in the hacienda remain safe. Even from ourselves, so the gift of GOD witch is this movement can continue to be offered to the generations to come.

 

Is Love & Service For You

Ask yourself these questions:

• Have you been able to recover from a loss?
• Are you jealous or lost trust?
• Do you feel sorry for yourself?
• Do you suffer from anxiety?
• Do you yell and wonder why?
• Do you have an addiction (Alcohol, Drugs, Sex, ETC)?
• Are you a compulsive eater?
• Do you desire vengeance?
• Do you believe everything is unjust?
• Do you have low self-esteem?
• Have you been a victim of abuse?

If you answered yes to any of these questions, we understand. we can Help!

Our Father

Our Father, Who art in Heaven,
hallowed be Thy name;
Thy Kingdom come,
Thy will be done on earth as it is in Heaven.
Give us this day our daily bread;
and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us;
and lead us not into temptation,
but deliver us from evil.

Serenity Prayer

God grant us the serenity
to accept the things we cannot change,
courage to change the things we can,
and wisdom to know the difference.

Responsible Pledge

I am responsible
whenever and wherever,
someone extends their hand,
asking for help.
I want the hand of Love and Service
to always be there.
and that is why I am responsible