When I was a kid, we used to have a man on the radio, who would sing a song every day. “Smile darn you smile, This old world is a great world after all.” That was the way the song went.
As I grew up, I always remembered that song. I still think about it and can still hear his voice. He was right. He still is. Especially now that I’m sober.
I try to remember that, as often as I can. When things or “problems” arise, I try to go back there. I don’t always succeed, but, as I grow along in sobriety, it seems most relevant. Every day I try to remember to smile, despite whatever it is I might be feeling.
Living this sober life reminds me of what it’s all about. It’s more than just not drinking. It’s about trying to grow up and mature emotionally. To me that means not to let my emotions rule my life. Like my sponsor often said, “Think with your head and not your heart”. He often reminded me not to wear my heart on my sleeve.
Part of that being responsible for my emotions is to not get caught up in other people’s problems. I know that, when I do, I can’t help anyone, and that’s part of why I’m here. To stay sober and to help another alcoholic achieve sobriety. When I get to sympathetic, instead of empathetic, I end up assuming the burden of someone else’s problems. The BB tells me that, when I do that, I’ll soon be overwhelmed by them. I end up not being of service to anyone, even myself. And that can be perilous to my own sobriety.
Anyway, I was thinking about this today. I was also thinking about the Eleventh Step in the 12&12 and the Prayer of St. Francis. Just thinking about sobriety.