On and off all day I have been thinking of the word ‘responsible’. For what am I responsible? One thing I know, is that I’m responsible for carrying the message of this program to others, who need it. And the message? That there is a solution.
My experience in this program has shown me that there is a solution for my alcoholism. That, first and foremost, is quite clear. I came in and got sober. Something I could never have even dreamed of before AA. But here it is, years later and I’m still sober.
The next thing I thought of is the spiritual solutions to the rest of our problems in life. The message I’m charged with carrying applies to other things other than alcohol. I know that there are answers I never dreamed of before. How do I know? My experience shows me that. In fact, while I was writing this the phone rang. It was someone with a lot of time, who had a problem. It was obvious that the answer was spiritual. The point is that it’s not always the newcomer, who needs to hear there is a solution. How often I needed to hear that message, when I forgot.
But there is another responsibility I have to meet. To help preserve this program for those, who are going to follow after us. Perhaps a grandchild of mine. That’s where the Traditions come into play. Especially that 1st Tradition. Learning how to have the humility to put my selfish agenda aside for the good of the whole. To remain true to purposes of this program and support it. To remember that 5th Tradition. That the purpose of the groups, to which we belong or attend, is to carry the AA message to the alcoholic, who still suffers. Is that what I do?
Anyway, the thought of what my obligations are to this program occupied my mind for a while today. Not that I’m unaware of it. But, I don’t always come out and talk about this aspect of the program.
If I’m grateful for what the program and my higher power have done for me, of course I’ll do whatever I can to advance what this program holds for others. And I am grateful.