At times all of our lives can seem a little chaotic. Maybe a lot. Things around us can be coming from all directions and we become confused, fearful, angry, irritable. We can find ourselves on the defensive and often becoming offensive to protect ourselves. Things can become so hectic, during periods like this, that we seem unable to do anything but flail about and find ourselves running from this thing to that thing.
I can remember going through periods like that a lot in the past. What saved me from picking up a drink was those people in the program, who pulled me back to reality. They got me to open up and talk about what was going on, even when I wasn’t really sure what it was. They listened. And they listened.
I never was given any advice about what to do with this situation or that one, or the seeming one hundred others. But I did get suggestions. And the suggestions were always the same. Take a deep breath, relax, and get back to the program, the meetings, prayer, and keep applying the steps to my life.
I did what I was told and found that one day everything was quiet, my world was at peace again, and everything was behind me.
As I reflect on this today, I always marvel at this program and wonder how it works. There I was in the midst of all this stuff, all this chaos and all this stress. I didn’t drink and besides that, all I did that was different was to apply this program to my life. I had become like a great ocean. All these storms on the surface and all this calm way down in the depths of those great waters. And when I surfaced all the weather was once again sunny and bright.
It wasn’t that I had run away from any of this stuff. It was still there. But, I found I could do the foot work necessary, because I was no longer overwhelmed with anxiety and fear. I was able to find the help I needed and was able to ask those more qualified than I was for it. I was no longer alone. I was once again dependent on a power greater than myself.
How quickly we can get disconnected from the power of the group and from the God of our understanding. In a moment of panic I can let go of that guiding force in my life. My emotions can take over and sweep me away from the resources I need and separate me from the world of the spirit and the grace available to me.
What I was thinking today is that I need to remember to stay in the day I am living at this moment. To be aware of right now and to refuse to go any further into the future. To stay connected to the group and my Higher Power and to do all that is laid out for me to live a sober life. And to be grateful for all that has been given to me. If I do that, I know all will be well. This has been my experience.