This may seem a little self serving, but today is Father’s Day. What has this got to do with staying sober? A lot. Because if it weren’t for this program and all the people in it, there would be no way I would be here to be able to celebrate this day. This is only part of the benefits coming from being sober and in the program.
Looking back, for a moment, this self centered, selfish, ego driven, alcoholic set fire to a lot of relationships in my drinking years, including my family. Yet, through the process of getting sober and going through the 12 Steps, and trying to practice these principles in all of my affairs, some of these seemingly damaged relationships, including those with my children, have been raised from the ashes and made whole again.
And that’s what I was thinking about today. After all, sobriety is all about relationships. It’s all about relating to those around us everyday we live this sober life. For good or for bad, for better or worse, we can’t avoid being in the company of others.
This is what Bill referred to as a great adventure. Amending these relationships, wherever possible, as a result of practicing all of the principles of AA. But, it doesn’t end there. Many of our relationships, whether close or distant have proven a test for my remaining sober. Trials of patience, tolerance, and understanding, come to me on an almost daily basis. Some of these have been successful, while others have brought out some of my worst character defects. Resentments, anger, envy, and a whole lot more have been provoked by my self centered thinking.
This is exactly where I have found so much help from others in this program. How often they have pointed out to me my part in a ruptured relationship. That and the support I received, from the very beginning of this journey in living sober, on how to practice the 10 Step. I am still learning. I have been shown over and over that this is a process and not an event.
Humility has never been by strong point in my life. Yet, in spite of myself, so many members of this program have been helpful in showing me how to get along and live with others. Without them and the God of my understanding there is no telling where I would be today.
This is a day for me to be grateful and another chance to practice these principles in all of my affairs.