Tonight’s meeting was on the chapter in the BB “Working with Others”. What a reminder for me. It brought back memories for one thing. All those 12th Step calls we used to go on; the rough ones, as well as those that went well.
But the main thing was that it was a reminder of how important it is to avail oneself of the opportunity to work with another alcoholic. Just to be there for someone to help them either get sober, or to help someone else through a crises in their lives, without having to go out and take a drink to make it disappear. To help them find what I have found, that the spiritual principles of this program work. There definitely is a solution.
But the topper for me is to remind me, that, if I want to stay sober, there is no better way of insuring this than working with another alcoholic. When I do, I am no longer concerned with my selfish thoughts and concerns. I am thinking about someone else, who needs my undivided attention. That I am aware that by myself I am nothing. That I need the help of my higher power, as does the individual with whom I am talking or listening.
Just sitting and reading that chapter with the group and then discussing our experiences afterward got my attention, as I knew it did others. I was grateful that I had the opportunity to do this tonight. Even after the meeting listening to people continue talk about their experiences with others and themselves was an eyeopener.
Anyway, I had to think about this, when I got home. Like I said, I am grateful.