Couldn’t help but be thinking about staying sober today. That was what I suggested as a topic today. How important that is for someone like me. An alcoholic, who never wants to drink again. Ever.
That’s why I surrendered to that First Step before I knew what it was, before I even arrived at this program. I totally admitted to the God of my understanding that I was powerless over alcohol and I wanted to stop drinking and living the life I had been living. And that began the recovery I so desperately needed. And I’m so grateful I haven’t had a drink since that moment.
However I know that I’m not cured of this disease. It’s right under the surface, even though that I never want to drink again. Doesn’t matter. I know what I have heard and witnessed in this program. Alcohol is still out there and though I may not feel threatened, I know the possibilities. The BB states that none of us are saints and we’re subject to stumbling over our faults and defects no matter how long we have been sober. It will be that way for the rest of my life.
I know from my experiences in here that I have grown a faith and a dependency on my Higher Power. I certainly know about the grace, the power and strength I have received, which has kept me sober today and each and everyday I have been here. I know what it says in the Ninth Step that the spiritual life is not a theory. We have to live it. That I believe and hope that I can honor that one day at a time. So far I can only say how grateful I am for what I have been given.
And that led to the second subject. The Traditions. And that was a reminder to me of why I am here. I’m here because I’m an alcoholic. That’s the First Tradition. The AA Unity. We’re all here to maintain our primary purpose. To stay sober from alcohol. Like the Third Tradition points out that all that’s required to be here is a desire to stop drinking. Drinking what? Alcohol.
Like the Steps the basis for all of this is a spiritual way of life in each and everyone of us. I definitely need to go back and be grateful for my old sponsor, who opened the door for me by getting me to accept and surrender to that Second Step. And, of course, pointing out to me that I didn’t know that I didn’t know. I only thought I did. He woke me up and helped to deflate my over sized ego. And he had the help of all of those old timers, some of whom were only too happy to help me to achieve ego deflation in depth. Truth is that is exactly what I needed and I’m grateful to all of them.
Anyway I was glad we had an opportunity to talk about all of this today and to be reminded of what it is I need to do on a daily basis to maintain my sobriety. I’m so grateful for the opportunities I have been given in here. I thank my Higher Power and all those who have helped me to remain sober.