On Friday it was chip day at our meeting. We had a man receive his 40th anniversary chip down to a woman, who had a year. It was a nice meeting and ecouraging to see all these people, who were great examples of sobriety to me and everyone else.
But I was thinking today of something I used to hear and haven’t heard for a long time. I need to say it out loud again, because it was a statement, which spoke to commitment and dedication to our primary purpose: to stay sober one day at a time. “It’s an honor and a priviledge to be sober and a member of AA.”
And it is just that; an honor and a priviledge. After all, when I stop to think about it, sobriety and AA is not something I deserved. If I got what I deserved, it would be awful. But as it turns out, I did get sober and for some reason, I’m still here. I don’t think it’s anything I have earned. It’s a shared experience at best. I owe so many, who have prodded, pushed, and encouraged me through the years to stay sober.
Sobriety is not something I’m owed. It was just given to me. The fact that I grabbed on to it is not anything to brag about. And I don’t feel that I’ve earned it. It can be said that I did become willing to try to do what was asked of me, but it is to me what the Twelfth Step talks about. It’s the result of a spiritual awakening and that’s not because of me. It’s just what happens to all of us as a result of applying these steps to our lives.
I am grateful and need to speak out about it, whenever I get the opportunity. I owe so much to the God of my understanding and all those who have helped me along the way. Indeed, it is an honor and a priviledge to be sober and a member of AA.
Anyway, I was thinking about this today.