Everyday that I don’t drink, don’t have to drink, don’t even think about a drink, is a miracle. Like the BB says, beyond my wildest dreams. When I think about that thought, it boggles my mind. Talking to a young person struggling today, living on the edge of being tempted to pick up a drink, I told them that, if they could have known me, back when I came in, they wouldn’t recognize me. I told them how crazy, insane, depressed, suicidal, out of control drinking and living I was, yet somehow I got sober and never had to drink again. I told them that, if someone like me could get sober and never drink again, so could they…if they wanted to. I told them that I wanted to, desperately. I never wanted to drink again and would go to any lengths not to. And I did and that’s what they were looking at. Proof positive that this program works.
That always makes me think that this day is mine. It’s actually my Higher Power’s, His gift to me. As long as I’m willing to try to do His will for me. For us. The We of this program. Begins with that First Step. We admitted we were powerless…The me in the We. My part in this program of so many sober men and women.
And to think it started way back, when I surrendered my will and my life in this program. And then took that next Step. The Second. Came to believe that a Power greater than ourselves…And there it is again “our”, not “mine”. Part of the “We” again. I don’t have to do this alone. I can’t stay sober by myself. It is our Higher Power. And my part is how I am able to make a conscious contact on a personal basis each day. But it’s all of us together doing the same thing.
The way I find that happening is by my taking part in meetings and doing the same thing everyone of us does. Had done and continues to do even this very day. Each and everyday.
The practice of these Twelve Steps. The application of these spiritual principles in all of our affairs. The willingness to reach out to anyone, who is seeking to have what we have. I am responsible. We’re responsible. I experienced that way back when I was so freely given what those old timers willingly gave me.
At the meeting today this all came up. Talking to new people and some recent and struggling alcoholics about the First and Second Steps always brings this sharply back to mind. It makes it real for someone like me. A reminder of what my sober life is all about. Our sober lives. And the We and the Us. The importance of the need we all have for one another.
Just wanted to express my gratitude for all I have been given.