Talk is cheap. I remember that phrase, because I used to believe that. In a sense it’s still true. But, on the other hand, it’s not.
I was thinking about what helps me stay sober. One of those things in my life is talking. Opening up to others and listening to others, when they talk to me. One very spiritual guide of mine said, “Alcoholics live to talk and they talk to live.” Very true.
In AA we love to talk. At least that’s been my experience. Before meetings, most of the time in meetings, and after meetings. Often I find myself and others, talking about a lot of stuff, not always necessarily related to sobriety, but more than often talking about what keeps us sober.
From the 5th Step on, the door is open, because we now feel a part of this program. We’re “in”. We belong. I can’t tell you how much help I have received from just talking…and listening.
But then there’s a time, when talk is cheap. When I’m not taking the action necessary to stay sober. I think there were a lot of periods in the years, when I stalled and even balked at taking the action necessary to change and thus stay sober. When I thought “I knew”. When I got stuck in analyzing. Those crazy periods, when I was close to being a “dry drunk”. Or maybe I was.
Fortunately someone talked to me and somehow I was able to listen. I probably opened up and told them what was going on and they helped me out of the rut I was in.
So, sometimes talk is cheap, when action is required instead of my mouth. And then how valuable it is to sit down and talk to another alcoholic. Sometimes helping them, just like I was, when I came in. Other times to share. A problem shared is a problem cut in half, as my sponsor used to tell me. And at other times, it is my turn to listen and let another unburden themselves.
Anyway, after listening to and talking to a number of people this week, I needed to sit down and think about this.
Oh yeah, one way of talking and taking action at the same time is when I pray. Now there’s a winning combination, when it comes to staying sober.