Thanks to my Higher Power the meeting was on a subject, which everyone who was there could identify with: the Tenth Step. Proof to me that we’re powerless over people, places, and things. The Serenity Prayer.
As I listened to the man, who brought the subject up, it reminded me that I need to pay attention and learn to keep my mouth shut. I have never been able to change another person’s mind about anything, no matter how right I was. For instance, talking to another alcoholic, who is not ready to stop drinking, no matter what I might say, it is totally ineffective. Like they say, been there done that.
If I’m struggling with my emotions over what I said or did, I need to find my sponsor or a sober friend to talk to and then, after sharing, I need to listen to what they have to say. Left to my own devices I can drive myself crazy. That’s where I need to pay attention to what the Tenth Step says about the spiritual axiom in the 12&12. Whenever I’m disturbed there’s something wrong with me. It’s no longer about anyone else. It’s my problem and what am I to do about it? That’s where the Eleventh Step and talking to another sober person comes in.
I also remember a lot of good advice I was given back early on in my sobriety. I had to learn to stop running around in my head. My thoughts could and would drive me crazy, when I acted or reacted to something. I was told to learn to write things down. That action would help me focus on what I needed to think about. I know it helped. I kept journals for about the first fifteen or more years.
I also read about meditation and that one method was writing. I knew from experience that in both prayer and meditation my mind tended to wander all over the place. So that’s what I began to practice. Learning to focus my attention on what I needed began to make all the difference And also to find that when I’m talking and sharing with another alcoholic, there are times when the same things happen. It’s another form of meditation for me. Especially in meetings at some points, when I’m listening to another person sharing.
Today’s meeting was a great reminder to me of so many things I had been learning over the years I have been in this program. And that is just another alert for me on just how important meetings are for this alcoholic. It helps me to keep my mind on just why I am here in the first place. That’s to stay sober a day at a time. Today is the most important day in my life, as far as staying sober is concerned. Makes me grateful that I know this. I need to thank my Higher Power and the people in these rooms, who support and help me to stay sober.