There’s nothing like a meeting in which a person shows up for their first meeting.
When sitting there, I hear things, which I’m quite sure the new person never does. I hear the voices of others in the room telling me once again what it was like that got them to come into the program for the first time. I hear the pain and suffering of the alcoholic, needing desperately to stop drinking in order to save their lives. I hear me in all their words.
I am reminded once again of my own story; what happened to me. I hear about the surrender to our being powerless over alcohol and the unmanageability of our lives. My life.
Then, as they continue to talk, I begin to hear the solution. The introduction to the spiritual life through a higher power. Something I’m reminded of how surprised I was that this was going to be the way of life to lead me to freedom from alcohol and into a better way of life than I could imagine.
Anyway, sitting in that meeting today, I once again was prompted to open my mind and heart up in gratitude for all I have been given. I reminded me of how much I needed and wanted to stay sober. I can only hope the same for the new person in the room today.