There’s no cure for what’s wrong with us. Our alcohol problem is only arrested for this day, everyday. There are no guarantees. I believe it when they say the longer we stay sober the closer we get to that next first drink. Only our spiritual condition on a daily basis is our safeguard. Always makes me think, how am I doing?
I really wouldn’t know how to answer that. But I do know, after the meeting today, I got some clues.
At the meeting today we talked about the statement in the BB that there may come a time in the life of an alcoholic that we may not have an effective mental defense against the first drink. I’ve run into that before and was rescued by someone who told me what I couldn’t remember to do for myself. They suggested I step outside and pray. I did and avoided picking up a drink. Showed me how powerful prayer, just asking for help, works. There were a lot of good stories illustrating the point in the BB. Many related how getting to a meeting saved them.
But, it was after the meeting which struck me. There we were, as usual, standing outside talking. And the subject of the meeting was still being discussed. And there it was, we were talking after the meeting. It made me think how important this meeting after the meeting was to me…to us. Without saying it, we were all joined in on not going it alone. All of us, old timers, new comers, people with a few years, were sharing, not only on the topic, but all kinds of things. And after we left, we carried those moments with us. At least I know I did.
As I sit here now, I think about what the “after the meeting meeting” means to me. I thought back to my sponsor and others, who emphasized this kind of happening. The meeting after the meeting. A “union” of a group literally in “communion” with one another. Doesn’t matter what’s being said, there’s still something spiritual going on. Usually it’s outside of my consciousness, but not today. The undercurrent was too obvious in my mind. Part of the maintenance of my spiritual condition. One alcoholic talking to another.
What it all reminded me of was the Eleventh Step. Talking and listening. It reminded me of how it works. I was watching and listening to the steps in action. And I thought, how much help I get to do what I can’t do for myself on my own unaided strength alone. It was the program. Now that makes me grateful and happy to be here.