I was thinking of two things right now. One is an email from a friend, who met the man, who was the subject of the last email on adversity. He said he had a tape of his and he would get it to me, when he got back from overseas. I can’t wait.
The other thing was about the meeting today. Something another friend said to me after the meeting. He said that he finally understood what I had been driving at all the time. About our primary purpose and our singleness of purpose. That’s really what is at the root of all my thoughts about this program. It’s simple.
Today at the meeting we talked about the 5th Tradition. The group’s primary purpose. We spent a lot of time talking about the proper subject of an AA meeting; alcohol. We also spent time talking about carrying the message of there is a solution. Not just to our problems with alcohol, but a solution to all our other problems in life. Like adversity.
Once all of us grasp the concept of a Power greater than ourselves, we are at once launched on a spiritual journey. I know that my life made a U turn from the direction I was going. The people in the program would give me the directions as to how to do this. But, first they gave me a lift into the realm of hope from a state of absolute despair. I found that I had stopped drinking and that I learned that I never had to take another drink, unless I chose to do so. I never knew that. I also learned that my life was going to get better. I was told that it was beyond my wildest dreams. Somehow, armed with hope, I think I began to believe that.
So far, it has been true. I say so far, because I’m not done yet. Somehow, in spite of myself, I’m still sober and still learning. Somehow, through the grace of God and the people around me, my life keeps opening up in a way I could never have conceived. I find that, though it was not in my nature to do so, I can live a life of love and service. Who would have thought? When I think of the way my life was going, I would never have believed what I know to be the truth today. I am not the same man I was.
Good counsel from my sponsor and all the old timers, who contributed to my knowledge and gave me directions on how to get to where I should be going, was the spark and gave me impetus. I always have to remember these people with deep gratitude. And the people currently in my life give me a leg up each day to continue on this path. For them I am grateful. But, most of all, I have to be grateful to the Source. My Higher Power, who empowered me to live this way of life, but most of all, who gave me the strength not to pick up that first drink.
Everything is tied together. I must keep doing the things I know will help me to stay away from a drink a day at a time and I must stay away from a drink to keep doing the things, which allows me to live this new way of life. It is always new. Like the Dr. said; all we have to do is follow a few simple rules.
I said two things. It’s a lot more than that. But, in the end, it’s not all that complicated. Simple. Don’t drink, clean house, and trust in God. I can live with that.