One of the things I learned in here is to reach out to others, who are obviously in need of help. On the other hand it takes talking to others before we do this. I know how bad a reaction one can get from stepping into the wrong picture.
My sponsor was one to try to help me to take the right step. And often I did. It not only helped another alcoholic like myself, but it helped me also. I often think about what is given to us, when we are willing to share. Sometimes I can actually feel the change within me when this has happened.
One of the major events of giving away what was so freely given to us is that we get to keep this program. It is one of the promises for someone like me. Not to fear that we are going to lose this program. If I’ve done what I’m supposed to do I will be all right. Not only that but, like I said, happiness often comes to us when we do.
Something else I know can also be handed to us, when we’re willing to reach out and help. It is always an amazing event for someone like me. Friendships often grow when we begin to practice compassion and not sympathy. I was told by my sponsor and others that sympathy leads to self pity. Compassion allows us to be open and yet to stay objective so that we don’t have to be involved other than passing this program along to another alcoholic. The results, when another grasps what we have offered, is that fellowship comes and eventually friendship, if we’re open to it.
One of the things I think about is exercising caution at times. That’s why I would always recommend what I once failed to do. Once I didn’t ask for the help I needed from my sponsor and others. I thought I would go talk to a man, who had stepped back from the program. When I got there he lost it and was enraged and came at me with a crowbar. Fortunately for me his son, who was bigger than him, grabbed him and stopped him. I left as I was asked and never went back. Later I went to my sponsor and told him what happened. He said he understood my wanting to help, but he said that we always needed to talk to someone else before we do what I did. After that I never forgot what he said.
Today at the meeting I looked around and saw an awful lot of fresh faces and this thought came to mind. The Twelfth Step is an important part of staying sober in this program. I never want to forget that. It’s practicing these spiritual principles in all of our affairs.
Just as short while ago I was talking to a man, who is struggling with resentments early on in his sobriety. I can remember what that was like for me back when I was where he is. I did the same thing earlier today. Not always easy to get others to realize they are not alone. These very things have happened to so many of us and we have to learn from the example of others like I did to change. To step back from these emotions which are governing us at the time. One listened and I’m not sure about the other. I know I’m powerless to change the mind of another. All I can do is to be able to give away what I have learned and experienced in here and hope for the best.
Anyway I had to stop and think about helping others as it was given to me. I know it’s helped me to stay sober over time in here. And I know that much of this is part of having hope and faith in my Higher Power. I know by myself I am powerless to be able to give away what I have been given and have it accepted by someone who needs it.
So as the afternoon has gone on I felt the need to spend some time thinking about what has been so important in trying to grow along spiritual lines in this program. It makes me grateful to have the opportunity to do this. I need to thank my Higher Power and to be grateful for all I have been given by so many others. And I know that gratitude is expressed every time I am able to reach out and practice this Twelfth Step.