Not alone

Nothing it seems is more of a downer than endless nose blowing, knock you brains out coughing, accompanied by all the other symptoms of a really bad cold. Not something I’d like to drag into a meeting with a crowd of people around me. So meetings are out for the present.

I suppose this would be a loss of contact with others for the present. Not so. I have been in touch with several people, mainly out of state by the Internet. And one friend, who is also ill, locally, by phone. God bless technology.

There used to be an AA laugh back, when I came in (and probably long before that), that said the reason Alexander Graham Bell invented the telephone was because he knew alcoholics were going to need it. That was when public phones cost a dime. There were cards into which you could insert a dime. The message on the card, given to newcomers, said something like, if you’re thinking of a drink, call me.

I was thinking about this today, because the word “isolation” crept into my mind. The truth is that not one of us, unless we live in the Gobi Desert, ever needs to find ourselves isolated. In truth, we are never alone. Not me anyway. My sense is that, if nothing else, my higher power is always with me. (If nothing else?)

When I think that we can’t do this alone, I realize we are never alone. Ever. Unless we choose to be alone. Ever since I came into this program, no matter what my condition has been, I have never felt lonely. I was alone and felt lonely all the time, when I was drinking. I was alone in my family, in the barrooms, and even among those I worked with. But since sobriety began in my life, and I found, not only friends among the members of this fellowship, but also a higher power I can depend upon and have faith in, that he can do for me what I can’t do for myself.

As I sit here, thinking about this, it made me feel better. Not so much in a physical sense. That’s still the pits. But mentally and spiritually. I know that I am supported whole heartedly in my quest to stay sober by others and the God of my understanding. Knowing that is enough comfort for this day.