Had to laugh today. Really laughing hard. I came down with a bad cold yesterday and had a tough time getting started today. So, here I was sitting and sneezing, coughing, and all the rest of the symptoms of a cold. And guess what? The phone started ringing and it rang all the way into the evening. Is that funny or what?
However, when I listened to each one, I knew they had a lot on their minds and in their lives. Not sure I was much help. I sure knew what these calls were about, but it wasn’t so much people looking for advice, as much as it was support and understanding.
More I think in terms of putting this spiritual program into action. That’s mostly what came to my mind. Surprising anything came to my mind. But I had to think about what it is that helps us to stay sober. The spiritual condition. The maintenance.
And that maintenance is part of what we do in here. Change. Not an overnight event. Sometimes not always an over the year event. I know for me it took time. That’s pretty much what I talked about. None of these people wanted to drink again, but like us all they have their own stumbling blocks. I know I do. Stuff that seems to come back periodically and, when I get caught up in any of it, I know I have to go back and look at what it is I have done in here to help bring about those changes in me.
Of course I went back and read and said that prayer of Thomas Merton. An eyeopener. Who would have thought that this deeply dedicated monk had the same stuff I have? How encouraging this is to someone like me. At least he had the same thoughts I have. Just reading it gives me hope that I really can lead a spiritual life, no matter how imperfectly, as long as I’m willing to keep on trying.
I passed the prayer on today. They too identified with this thoughts and words. I may not have helped, but that spiritual man did.
Anyway, like I said, what was happening cracked me up. Need a good laugh at myself from time to time. And, yes, in the end it was all about staying sober. Made me grateful.