A man today came up with the essence of the 5th Tradition. He said he has been in the program a long while, but that he has been suffering. He wanted the message that the 5th talks about. And what is that?
That there is a solution. The very same message which our fellow alcoholics carry to the new comer. However they’re not the same solution, even though they basically are.
In my experience the solution to the newcomer is that if they are willing to work the 12 Steps, acquire a spiritual life, and have a spiritual awakening, that’s the solution. But the old timer sitting there suffering has the opportunity to the same solution. It’s spiritual. What does that mean? It means that someone like myself has to put this program into action in his life. Trying to practice these principles in all of my affairs. Praying and meditating. Letting go and letting God and doing the necessary footwork. It is after all an action program.
That doesn’t mean that this man is not practicing this program. Not by a long shot. I have run across suffering in this program. I guess we all do from time to time. I know that others have told me of their sufferings. And for all those I have talked to, and from my own experience the answers were spiritual.
I began to learn that in my first meeting, when I came in. I wasn’t aware of it at the time, but it did begin with hope. That is part of the spiritual answer for me. Hope. And when I can finally locate the examples of others, who themselves found these answers in their lives, that hope begins to become faith once again.
And from there the answers start to come. As long as I’m willing to take the action necessary. That’s always a must. One of those for me is attending meetings regularly. Where I can hear the answers I need to hear. And to carry the message to others. Listening and sharing. Part of the action. And then carrying what I have learned out into the world outside. Into my home. Trying to live this program and maintain my spiritual condition. If there are other necessary actions it’s up to me to follow through.
I was thinking about what the man said and how it has been for me. Willingness is part of the key. My intentions are another factor. What is it I inend to do? And then do it.
Anyway, I couldn’t ignore that man’s search for an answer to his suffering. I just had to stop and think about it. After all, it’s still about our sobriety, my sobriety. Times will be tough. The road is not always smooth. There are bumps and sometimes it’s uncomfortable. Still, if I will do what my sponsors told me, things begin to smooth out and comfort returns to me. A new happiness and a new freedom. Peace and serenity.
Just thinking about the end result. The answer. It’s a sober life each day. For that I am grateful and pray I always will be.