Singleness of purpose. Now there’s a thought worth thinking about. What this program is all about. Alcoholism and alcohol. What this chronic alcoholic suffered from. And how this program took me out of the life of and practicing alcoholic, saved my life, and restored me to sanity.
In today’s world, with all that is going on, and all the problems I have, it’s easy to forget this. It is made more difficult, when I stop talking to sponsors and I’m tempted to bring my problems into meetings. When I do that, I’m inviting “psycho analysis” and “counseling”. One thing Bill tells us in the BB that there are people, who actually do that. They’re not at meetings, where we deal with amateurs. They are professionals, who know what they’re doing.
The problem, when I lose sight of our singleness of purpose, is that I am not dealing with what I need. I need to be reminded that the solution to most of my problems is spiritual. I know that I can also begin to lose sight of my primary purpose; to stay sober and try to help another alcoholic.
Truth is that I need to hear about what works in here. What it was that I learned from the very beginning. How these Steps work and how they have benefited so many like myself. How they can change my life. How they changed me into a person, who can live this life and still stay sober.
Always, when I think about how this sober life began for me, I go back and think about that 2nd Step. The introduction into a spiritual life and a Higher Power, who could empower me to live this life. Before that I was always trying to do everything myself. My ego and self centered way of living. And, as with most of us, I kept failing. I came to realize that not only could I not do this alone, but along with the people in here, who were helping me, I needed this Power greater than myself. I also learned that if I failed to grasp this, I would probably die an alcoholic death. No way. Surrender was the answer.
Singleness of purpose brings me to a place where I have to practice humility. To step out of the way, especially my own way, and begin to do what this program is all about. To put my pride aside. To ask for the help I need in staying sober and away from alcohol. And that is exactly what I do. Maybe lacking humility, but trying to attain what I need to do this.
All about sobriety.