One of the things I have found out staying sober over time in this program is just how valuable our friends in here become to us. Our most casual conversations are some of the most important we will ever have. That’s what I have found out.
I was thinking about this today after a ride home with a friend. We were often laughing and talking and yet there was an awful lot of some very serious sides to our talk, even with the chuckles that went along with them. Things like surrender, being powerless, the fatalities alcoholics suffer as the result of going back and picking up a drink. Our own defects of character. Particularly that subject, as we often do, talking about out weaknesses. Talking about the spiritual aspects of this program and what we need to do to improve.
Then I looked back at the past week and the number of calls and emails back and forth between others I have known for so many years. It’s what the two of us today discussed. That listening to others and then sharing with them. Again, who is the beneficiary? And the result of that is always me. Us.
It was the same at the meeting today. Sitting with a man, whose family I have known all the way back to his grandparents. Almost the same kind of conversation. Lots of laughs as we went back to old stories about our families. Still there were things we talked about relating to ourselves.
It’s that old honesty, open mindedness, and willingness this program teaches and gives to us through the example of all those old timers, who showed us how this program works. If we want it. And I do and and I know these old friends are on the same page. We all are very serious about our staying sober.
Anyway that was what I was thinking about today. What a reward I have been given for just stopping drinking and coming into this program. What a gift. Makes me grateful just to be here.