What a great meeting today. How do I know how great it was? A lot of those with much time in the program were expressing their gratitude. Though they usually have good things to say, it was much more today.
That’s because we talked about our faults (Sixth Step) and whether or not the longer we stayed sober the closer we get to the next drink. And what was amazing was how positive all of those, who spoke, were.
Practically no one thinks they’re getting closer to the next drink. If anything most said the opposite. If anything they believe our sober lives takes us further away from a drink. The one caution in all of this they said was to stay in touch in some way or other with what the last drink was like. In other words our bottoms. What was it that made us ask for help and get it. To never forget it. I know I don’t. I often think about it.
Additionally they talked about practicing this program every day. Being willing to go to any lengths to do so.
And then they talked about our faults. They did talk about the Sixth Step as asked, but they went even further. They combined it with the subject above and our living a spiritual way of life. I know that I had to talk about the Tenth Step, as far as my faults, when I would end up putting one or two into practice, to be able to see where I was wrong and to do something about it. The spiritual axiom in the 12&12.
Most had to agree that our faults are always present. Whether we use them or not is dependent on our self centered natures. Our temptation to do things our way. Tempers, anger, our weakness to give in. Lack of thought. All these common ways to commit our errors.
The Second and Third Steps play a big role in not only trying to limit their actions in our lives, but how they have led to so many changes in us. Yet we have free will, can make choices, sometimes based on our wants and desires. Our egos. And that’s where we need to turn our will and lives over to a power greater than ourselves.
My take on all of this was how much of our spiritual lives dominated the messages today. A reminder that the spiritual life is not a theory. We have to live it, regardless of what that means to anyone of us. Can’t say just how grateful I was to hear all that was said. Need to say thanks.