Lately, more and more, I have a desire to help other alcoholics, who are struggling with their alcoholism. This has pretty much been there all the time, but appeals from some of these people seem to be on the increase.
Working with others is part of our primary purpose. To stay sober and to help another alcoholic. As the BB says, nothing will more insure our staying sober than working with another alcoholic. That has been my experience and that of those whom I have known.
Talking to people in meetings, after meetings, answering calls from those dealing with troubles. That to me is what this program is all about. Talking about the solution. Hoping that someone will catch on to what we are all trying to tell them.
When I listen to what they are saying, it is obvious that whatever is troubling them, whether it’s the drink or just the thoughts that plague their minds, it often blocks their capacity to hear. I often have to remind myself how it was with me, when I came in. Many up here refer to the committee in their minds. How filled my mind was with all kinds of thinking early on. My sponsor and others would tell me, “Don’t think!”. But all these negative thoughts would cloud my mind. It took a long time to slow my mind down to where I could not only listen, but I actually could hear what they were saying.
I listened to and watched a person fighting their thoughts, while we talked to them yesterday. I watched a man today at his second meeting. While I was talking to him, I could almost see how his mind was working. He already had it made up. So did that person yesterday. It was made up for that next drink and nothing we could say could have changed that.
However that has not changed my mind, or those of the men and women I know. We’re committed to carry the message of AA to those, who still suffer. That’s why I try to always insist that the group I attend practice the Fifth Tradition of this program. It’s why we’re here and what we’re supposed to do. If we do, we are practicing these principles and working on the maintenance of our spiritual condition.
Anyway, my mind has been occupied with these thoughts these past weeks. So much so that I finally had to sit down and write these thoughts out. When I wonder what God’s will is for me, I often think it’s just this. It’s what’s in front of me. Makes me so grateful, whether I can help or not, that I have such an opportunity.