Interesting day today. Not that all days are not interesting, but this one was the day after Christmas and it was about this program. Staying sober and not drinking again.
One of those involved a young man, who, at around ten years sober, had developed a deadly disease and died today. Many in the meeting knew him and were deeply touched by this. Interestingly, despite his condition, he never drank again. He died sober and this I know encouraged a lot of those in the room.
Another thought took everyone back to their stories. How they were in the past and how they are today. I know that brought up a lot of stuff in all of us. It did in me. All I had to do was scan my history and what was happening in my life today. A great reminder of just how valuable this program has been to so many alcoholics.
I heard so much stuff today to which I could identify. Stories which related to much of what I went through. Especially when they talked about relationships. I could say to myself, “That was me”. I could look and see how my drinking affected my marriage and my children, plus my parents and siblings. Not only them but those I worked with and my relationships all over the place. Talked about a lot of this with a friend after the meeting. We did some real sharing.
I also could relate to everyone talking about all the changes they went through, once they surrendered and accepted they were alcoholics. The process early on in this program. Their insanity and rebellion. Not wanting to do what we were told we needed to do and our resistance to the time it took for everything to begin to change within us. And then how we all began to accept and change, because of all the great examples we witnessed around us. And the encouragement and the blessings we received from the old timers who helped us to begin to learn what we needed in order to begin to change. And how they opened the door to the spiritual aspect of this program.
I have to think about the man I went out and had coffee with after the meeting. He shared so much with me about this program and the changes he had gone through. And I did the same with him. It was such a mutual experience for us both. And we both agreed that we were beneficiaries of spiritual rewards. And that was what was the beginning of our sharing the similar experiences we had in growing along spiritual lines. So much in common.
I couldn’t help but think that our conversation was a vocal meditation. We talked about our failures and our successes. Our blessings and the grace received in almost every areas of our lives. And, of course, the main one is our sobriety. The very fact, in spite of everything we never had to pick up a drink again.
Once again I was reminded of just how grateful I am that I became an alcoholic. For me it has been a blessing. It’s because I am an alcoholic I found this program and all the help I have received because of it. It saved my sanity and my life. It freed me from the bondage of alcohol. It introduced me to my Higher Power, who has graced me with not just my life, but a totally new way of life wherein I have been given the power not to take a drink a day at a time. And more, not to even think about a drink.
More than that, this meeting after the meeting brought to mind the fact that I am so fortunate to be able to be with people just like myself. Alcoholics, who have suffered and survived this disease and been given the power to help someone like me. And then helped me to do the same for other alcoholics. A reminder of just how grateful I am for all that has been given to me. A new freedom and a new happiness and so much more. And that’s exactly what our conversation and the meeting was about today. Thanks.