Funny. I was reading an AA book today, Living Sober, and found a statement in there that brought me back to reality. When all else fails, follow directions. Now where have I heard that before? Oh, that’s right, my sponsor.
Over time in this program I found this statement more than just helpful. I think it has kept me from losing my way. Indeed I know it has kept me on the path, going in the right direction.
One of those directions was, of course, to put these 12 Steps into action in my life. In fact they changed my life, as I know they did the lives of all these men and women I have known in here. Having a spiritual awakening and being restored to sanity.
I read that article in the book and it pointed out one of the most important directions in the BB. It referred back to Bill W’s. and Dr. Bob’s first meeting and what happened. Went on to describe the entrance of the 3rd man into the program and recovery. That direction was an illustration of what has always worked for alcoholics like me. To do just what Bill and Dr. Bob and the 3rd man found they needed to do, if they wanted to stay sober. To work with another alcoholic. To carry the message of AA.
I learned that from my first sponsor, who sent me on a 12th Step call with a new man in tow. I think I had only 6 months in and really had not much of an idea of what the message was. The man with me knew even less. Anyway, after I came back, I asked him why he had sent me. He then told me that he was sure that, if I won the argument with me, I could stay sober. I’ve never forgotten that. It has worked over and over through the years.
There were a lot of things I have been exposed to in the program, which really were directions to keeping me focused on what is most important, my sobriety. One of those I’ve always remembered is something which has kept me out of trouble with myself and others. That was to share my problems with others like myself. My sponsor told me that a problem shared is a problem cut in half. More than half I discovered. It would shrink whatever the problem was down to far less than half. In fact it would often lead to the problem vanishing in a short time.
The chapter I was reading in the book, also referred to our self centered thinking. I could definitely identify with that. And both of those above directions have really helped over time. When I’m working with someone else, I’m rarely think about myself. When I’m sharing my problems, I find I’m emptying me out of me. In both instances I find I experience a degree of humility.
And certainly the directions I was given to use my head and not my heart has helped, when I would find myself getting caught up in my emotions. Particularly anger and resentment. Fear, anxiety, worry. I was taught to step away and use reason and not my feelings. And the Steps. Especially that 10th. I know it works, because experience has shown me that.
Then there is the direction that in spiritual matters it’s dangerous to go it alone. That’s definitely one I need to be reminded of from time to time. It goes along with that the spiritual life is not a theory. We have to live it.
I know there are a lot more directions I have learned in here, which, when I find myself bumping into myself and getting frustrated, I need to put into action. However it always reminds me of what my sponsor told me early on. That I didn’t know that I didn’t know. I only thought I did. How right he was. And there’s always more to learn.