Talking to a person, suffering from grief and pain, I listened to what they were doing about their situation. Guess what? They were discovering a spiritual solution. They could have made a decision to give up and said, “What’s the use” and gone back to a drink. But they didn’t. They didn’t want to drink again and instead sought the solution we all need to seek on a daily basis.
Intention and willingness. That was what was needed. It’s always what I find I need to do. I’m talking about prayer and meditation. What am I intending to do and am I willing? Do I intend to go into the presence of the God of my understanding and am I willing to be aware of what I am asking?
For instance, we were talking about the Third Step prayer. Am I paying attention to the words and aware of what it is I am saying? The prayer is very specific. It’s perfect for someone like me. Am I willing to do what it says? Do I want to do God’s will, whatever it is? Do I want to become less ego centered?
My friend said, that when they began to say “Take away my difficulties” they were fully aware and became willing to have them removed. They also said that since their difficulties had increased, they began to make this a daily prayer. They were very aware, clear in their intention, and very willing to be present. I was truly impressed. More and more, despite what is going on, they said they were truly finding comfort and peace.
I had been thinking about these two words, “intention and willingness” for some time now, and to actually hear someone putting them into practice made my day.
What does it take to stay sober? I believe one of the keys is awareness. Awareness is fundamental to living a spiritual life. And living a spiritual life is fundamental to my staying sober. Like the fourth chapter told me, either live a spiritual life or die and alcoholic death. That statement changed my life and opened the door to sanity and sobriety.
What does the BB say about this? Eternal vigilance is the price of sobriety. Not necessarily watching for that next drink, but being aware of those difficulties we all run into in life. My defects. My ego. My selfishness. My emotions. What would eventually lead me back to that drink.
Anyway, I was thinking about this today and then the phone rang.