Ah, humility. What a task to accomplish enough humility in order to grow along spiritual lines and stay sober.
Of course Bill W. talks about this in the Seventh Step in the 12&12. He tells us it’s going to take a long time to get a handle on humility. Then in one of the editions of Spiritual Awakenings Dr. Harry Tiebout talks about humility and the necessity of deflating our egos. Made me take a step back and think about this.
Who am I to think there’s anything different about me or that I’m something special? After all I’m another alcoholic, trying to stay sober. No better and no worse than anyone in the program.
The reason I was thinking about this is that I’m coming up on my anniversary in this program. And just because I’ve got a lot of years under my belt in this program, doesn’t mean that there’s anything remarkable about me. I wouldn’t have this time in here, if it wasn’t for my higher power and all the men and women, who have helped me get to this point. By myself I would probably have died a drunk many years ago. This program saved my life and got me sober. I didn’t.
In reality there’s no real reason to celebrate such an occasion. It’s just another day in my life. Another day to stay sober. Except, of course, to be an example to the new man or woman, or even a long time sober person, who is suffering. The Fifth Tradition. To carry the message of the solution to the suffering alcoholic. And that message? This program works and here is just another example.
If I have a message, it would be to say just how fortunate I am to be an alcoholic. To have found a “home” in this program, where I can be comfortable to grow along spiritual lines and stay sober a day at a time. I’m one among so many. And, as Bill W. said to a friend of mine years ago, who tended to treat him as someone special, “Look, I’m just another drunk like just like you.” That’s me.