One of the things which came to mind today was how someone like me handles his difficulties. The reason that came up was because of what someone told me about a tough situation they found themselves in and had to make some hard decisions. Not easy. Like me they are an alcoholic who have been sober quite a while.
I remember one of the early board members of this program, a non alcoholic, who was talking at one of the conventions in the 50s. One of his remarks he made at that convention was to all the alcoholics there on how much admiration he had for them, because he was looking at people who had the difficulty of trying to live a spiritual life in a material world. And of course he was right. It’s not always easy.
And yet I know that. Although I try to start my day off in offering myself to my Higher Power to live this way of life dedicated to practicing these spiritual principle in all of my affairs, the minute I step out into this material world I find it difficult to remember what it is I am supposed to be doing. Talk about a short term memory.
That is exactly why I need to be going to meetings on a regular basis. I learned from my sponsor and the old timers that I can’t stay sober by myself. Though they told me this I knew from my own observations what they were talking about. And I certainly did not want to ever drink alcohol again. Yet I knew I had an incurable disease. If nothing else alcohol would at least be in my unconscious mind, even though I never think about it. I know it’s always there.
I have to be at meetings among others just like myself. Alcoholics. Those who have been living this sober way of life and practicing these principles given to us by all those who went before us. I always love to look at the way these Twelve Steps were written in the past tense. Meaning that those old timers had their sobriety as a result of what they had done. Not of what they were planning to do in the future.
One of the reasons I need to be at these meetings is that I often suffer from short term memory. I can find myself needing to be reminded of what I definitely need to hear to help me to continue to live this way of life. What I need to be practicing the day I am attending.
I can almost always feel the gratitude when I am able to grab onto one of these things I have forgotten. And always it has something to do with striving to live this spiritual way of life.
That’s exactly what I was reminded of when I heard this man’s story today. Made me grateful. I’m always filled with hope when I see how others like myself are able to do what they need to do and yet continue to fulfill their purpose of what they need to do in order to continue to live a sober life. Having the hope and faith, the trust in their Higher Power, that they will be given the strength they need to continue down this path of sobriety. Always willing to turn things they need to turn over to the God of our understanding. Practicing these principles in all of our affairs. Always ready and willing to give this program away to those who need it.
Anyway it was just another reminder to me of why I am here. How I can continue to do what I need to do and still put my program of my sober life into action. To experience what he was talking about. Despite the stress he was still happy and at peace with himself. Grateful for what he had been given. Filled my mind and my heart with what I needed. I have to say thanks when I hear this way of living a sober life, a spiritual way of life in this material world.