I got an email from a good friend in the program. It was about a handicapped young man, who accomplished an amazing feat, despite the fact it seemed impossible to do. To describe the feat here would be missing the point. The main thing was what he said, “never give up”.
When we get to this program, most of us knew what it was to be defeated. I was. I was down at the bottom of my life. Alcohol had throttled the very life out of me. Yet I was compelled to drink against my will. In the end I had to admit that I was licked. I had to surrender to the fact that I was an alcoholic and find a way never to drink again. Thank God there was a program, which helped lift me back to my feet and back into life again.
Overcoming the alcohol and all that went with it is a lifetime job. It’s never done. It’s not over until it’s over. There’s no graduation from this disease. Just a daily reprieve, depending on the spiritual life to which I’m willing to give myself. There is no “cure” for this disease. No more than there is for this handicapped young man, who said, “never give up”.
The friend, who sent me this video of the young man, said he’d never complain again. How hard is that for those of us, who react differently to life’s challenges? I well know myself and how I have reacted to these. From self pity, to outright rebellion. Anger, pride, resentment, depression, despair, the whole kit and caboodle. I have often been ready to give up. Only the support of those around me and my higher power have bailed me out in those times in my life.
Looking back at those moments, when I said to myself, “what’s the use?”, I was struck by his words “never give up”.
Pain is inevitable, but suffering is optional. I’ve heard that over and over from those, who knew what they were talking about. I’ve learned from them that the added weight of suffering is from my reactions; my character defects, which will always pull me down under their burdening me with what I don’t need. It’s my lack of awareness, my not being alert to them, which causes this. One man, whom I’ve listened to over the years, points to the 10th Step. The words “whenever we’re disturbed there’s something wrong with us”. The spritual axiom in the 12&12. That man said to be disturbed is nonspiritual. To be undisturbed is spiritual.
There is a spiritual answer to all of our problems. The BB tells me this, and when I am willing to seek it out, I have found this to be true. But like the 3rd Step tells me the key is willingness.
I’ve carped and complained like others I have heard, but in the final analysis I’ve found this to be true. If I’m willing to seek the solution and apply these spiritual principles to my problems.
Each day I have lived this sober life, and it is just for today, I have to surrender to my being powerless. Not just over alcohol, but many other things. I have to remember that “what’s the use?” is not the answer. The answer is willingness. I don’t ever want to drink again. I need help of others and the God of my understanding to support me in this effort. I have found that if I am willing to ask for this help I will never have to give up.