Thinking about a friend of mine in this program, who is going through some rough times with himself, it reminded me of what I went through, when I had about the same time he has now.
I’m not the only one, who went through some of this stuff. I know I was told that it would be five years before my brain cleared enough to see reality the way it is. Others who told me the same, later related their experiences to me. Anyway, it was about that time that I sank into a depression that really surprised me. But, I found out later, that it really wasn’t. It was something else.
While I was talking to this man, I told him what worked for me, when I was where he is now. And what was it that worked? A spiritual solution. Because what I had run into at that time was a loss of hope, a loss of a faith that worked. It was more like despair. I didn’t know that at the time and I had to go get help with this and I’m glad I did.
I also think that I must have stopped really working these Steps at that time. I recently read about a man, who was going through the same stuff, and that’s what he discovered. And he too said the solution was spiritual in nature.
What I found that worked was the four things I talk about. Perseverance, hope, faith, and love. That’s what the person I went to for help pretty much told me. One of the first things she said to me was that she was going to help me find this higher power. And I did.
But I look back on this stuff and I know it is working this program which changed me. Or better still continuing to work the program. Persevering. Hanging in and not giving up. And that, of course, leads to the next step, hope. Never give up and get some hope. And that hope is all around me. It’s right there in the group. Those men and women, who are great examples of what this program has done for them and can do for me.
The next step is faith. And that comes from witnessing what is working for others. And as we put this program into action, we begin to believe. That too happened for me. A faith in a higher power and my faith in the group and this program. And, eventually this leads to love and caring for myself and for others. Willingness to carry the message to others and to practice these principles in all of my affairs.
After we talked, I told him that I had learned never to drop any of the four. If I stop persevering, eventually I’ll lose hope and faith, and, of course, love. I learned all of this a long time ago, but forgot and look at what happened. Hopefully I have learned my lesson.
Anyway, I was thinking about this. The problem and the solution. In my own case, I am so thankful for all the help I was given. The people and my higher power. And, again, this program. It’s all about staying sober and changing.