I was thinking about how much I enjoy being sober. Made me go back and look at the 12th Step in the 12&12. The joy of living. What is that?
Bill tells us it’s the result of not only working the program, but the 12th Step in particular. It made me think about how we generally talk about that Step in meetings. Sometimes the people will talk about the first part, Having had a spiritual awakening as the result of these steps. And then some will talk about the last part, and to practice these principles in all of our affairs.
I guess the reason for skipping over the second part of this Step is because of the lack of opportunity to be able to go out on 12th Step calls anymore. I always wonder. But it makes me think. Why would we skip that second phrase? I mean, isn’t it the source of the joy of living?
What’s it say? We tried to carry this message to alcoholics. I underlined the “the” in the first part and “this” as emphasis for me. After all, the spiritual awakening is “the” result of working these Steps. But it’s “this” message. And what is “this” message? It’s the solution to our alcohol problem and our very lives. The message is that we had a spiritual awakening as a result of these Steps. And if the new person or old timer wants to get that, all they have to do is just exactly what we did. Or possibly drink again. Young or old.
We have that opportunity to carry that message at every meeting we attend. At least that’s true for me. Maybe that’s why I enjoy this program. To me “joy” is not a feeling, but a state of being. Like I said, I can enjoy being in this program, regardless of how I feel. I can be sad, but still enjoy this way of life. It’s the best thing that has ever happened to me. I love it. But the insurance is being able to carry the message to others, who are still suffering. Where have I heard that before? Oh, yeah, it’s the 5th Tradition.
Anyway, as we were talking about the 1st Step and gratitude today, all the above came to mind. And it made me grateful.