This process of staying sober never ceases to amaze me. When I stop and really think about how it is in my life, and then how it is with others I know. I can see how complex it is and just how simple it is at the same time.
I guess, if I ask myself, I’m still have a reaction of being nearly stunned that I’m still sober after all this time. And then I have to ask myself, how is this possible? Then, as I listened to people in the meeting today, I could see the program clearly in action by their responses.
Today they were talking about the 10th and 12th Steps and how they worked them on a daily basis and what it meant to them. Very few passed and all said something of value to me, as they talked. Most had to go back to some early steps, which opened up these later steps to them and the process they went through and what’s going on today. From self examination to practicing these principles in all of our affairs.
I couldn’t help but think that sobriety is pretty much involved with our relationships. Whether we’re examining them or living with the world in general. It’s all about correcting what was wrong with them and then learning how to get along with others. How we are learning to mind our own business, or in the process of helping someone else. In that sense, it’s complex, but overall very simple. Learning when to leave others alone, or when it is that we can assist others, either to get sober, or just to listen to them, or sharing our own experiences.
In any event, I felt I had been given a gift of a little more understanding. One thing I’m certain of, that I had this feeling and these thoughts, which opened my mind to the value of being with others, who like myself, were looking at this process of staying sober. Most admitted how much they appreciated the support they got from other members and that they couldn’t stay sober by themselves. Amen to that.
Anyway, this is what I was thinking about, after hearing an old friend of mine is celebrating, what I am guessing, is her 55th anniversary today. I feel blessed to know her and call her a friend, who helped me so much and still does.