The Third Step. The introduction to the other nine Steps. That was pretty much what everyone shared at the meeting today.
To some it was definitely the beginning of a relationship with their Higher Power. To others it was the start of a new way of life, searching for more than they had, when they came in. But almost all agreed it was the start of a whole new way of living. The beginning of peace and happiness they never knew was possible.
What was interesting was the second subject. The importance of meetings. For me that was what this meeting had for me today. Just the fact that we were talking about the Third Step and everything everyone had to say, brought home just how important meetings are for me. And listening to others this seemed to be true for them also.
Like one old timer pointed out that the Third Step ends with the announcement that we immediately go to the Fourth Step. That’s definitely a moment of action. Physical (writing), mental, and definitely spiritual. Pretty much what it was for me at that point. I had just heard what one sponsor had said to the woman she was working with, that God’s will for her was the other nine Steps. That made sense to me and that’s what I began to work on.
But the two subjects were almost one thing for me today. Turning my life over and going to meetings. I grew up in this program believing that I could not stay sober by myself. I needed meetings. And I got a lot of illustrations over the years what happens to those, who stop going to meetings. Not a pretty picture. A lot of drinking as a result. An awful lot of tragedies. I had already gone down that road, when I was out there drinking and I wanted no more of that. So I have followed my old sponsor’s advice and the example of all those old timers and continued no matter what I have thought or felt over the years. It has worked for me. It has been a huge part of my staying sober.
Anyway I was glad to be there and hear about the Third Step and the importance of meetings. Like I said, both have played a big part in my living a sober life. My being there today was an act of gratitude and that too made me more grateful.