Thinking back to how I learned to come to meetings and listen and stay sober started with my sponsor and the directions those old timers gave to me. One of the first things was that they told me that I was to leave my personal problems outside the door and come in and listen. They told me that after the meeting I should take these problems to my sponsor or someone, who knew what they were talking about.
That allowed me to listen and learn without having to listen to opinions and advice from persons unqualified to be discussing my problems. And it also told me that I wasn’t there to offer therapy, diagnosis, legal advice, or any other thing I wasn’t equipped to discuss. And it did allow me to focus on why I go to meetings in the first place. To get sober and stay sober.
Talking to a friend after the meeting he told me about a problem he was having. He never brought it up during the meeting. I think he knew the last group of people we should be bringing up relationship problems is in a meeting of people who were experts in how not to have relationships. He said he had talked with his sponsor after the meeting and had received some sound support in what he needed. When he told me what that was I had to agree. Had gone through the same thing at one time and had received similar help from my sponsor. Glad I did as he was.
Often, when I did what I was told to do, like withholding my personal problems in favor of listening for the help I always need, I found out that much of what I had on my mind was gone. I so often found myself experiencing peace of mind and serenity after meetings I had gone into suffering from worry, anxiety, and fear. How many times I entered into meetings feeling the weight of the world on my shoulders and as the meeting proceeded I have often felt that weight dissolving and a total relief replacing it. Talk about a spiritual awakening.
It is still a reminder to me why I go to meetings in the first place. I came here a hopeless alcoholic, powerless over alcohol, and found a spiritual solution to this incurable disease. I can show how grateful I am by still coming here for the same reason as I did in the beginning. Like I said I’m not cured. I have been restored to sanity as far as alcohol goes. I know that even though I never think about a drink that below the surface of this alcoholic that the next drink is always there. If I want to continue to stay sober it’s up to me to come to meetings, listen, and to learn to practice the principles of this program in all of my affairs.
And, of course, all of this takes me to the Second Step and my introduction to my Higher Power and the spiritual way of life. I also have learned that no matter how imperfect I live this way of life it’s because I am still a human being and not a saint. Never will be. Like all of us I suffer from the human condition. My imperfections are still there and often come up. But that also reminds me of the need I have in dependency on my Higher Power, who can do for me what I cannot do for myself. Of course with the help of my fellow alcoholics. And my need to express my gratitude for all I receive in terms of my staying sober.