One of the blessings of this program is that in general we are not limited in how we live and practice this program. We have options. In fact, as I think about it, this is especially true, when it comes to the Second Step. We can select our own idea of who or what our concept of a Higher Power is. As long as it makes sense to us. It could be something we grew up with and learned from our parents or some religion. On the other hand it might be this program itself, because we have no concept of divinity in our life. It could be the group we belong to. The members in it. As long as we have practiced these Steps and committed ourselves totally in that First Step to surrender and accept our being powerless over alcohol.
Why I was thinking about this today was because I heard from some people, who were concerned over a number of things. Their future, their income, their health, or that of others. And I was reminded of what we all learn in here. At least I hope we have. And that is to stop and look at where we are. I’m right here. No further. It’s this moment.
Thinking about all I have been given, one of those is the concept of staying in the present and going no further. I may know just so much about others or myself, but I cannot assume anything or go any further than this moment. All I have is now. I no longer have what was the past. I certainly don’t have tomorrow or what is going to be going on then. All I know is what I know now and no more. Anything else is fiction. Not true. Not at the moment anyway.
I’m not to become concerned. Anxiety ridden. Full of fear or anger. And that’s where the spiritual part of this program comes into action in my life. I need to remember that I need to have the hope and faith in whatever it is I believe in. By now I have certainly grown a certain amount in what I have come to experience in this program. I know that I have been restored to sanity. I know that I have had that spiritual awakening. I know I have been freed of some of what once held me captive. My faults, defects, and emotions.
With that knowledge of the freedom and happiness I have come to experience I hope I have learned to stop allowing my concerns to lead me into thinking about the future and what might happen. My sponsor would often ask me if I knew where my feet were. He would ask me to look down and ask me if I’m any further ahead than where I was standing at that moment. He was trying to help me to learn to stay focused on the moment. Right now.
Like the rest of this program I had to learn how to practice what I was being given. It took some discipline. I had to learn what to do and how to do it. Often I learned by watching others and listening to them. I had to throw my old ideas out. They hadn’t worked I learned over time. Little by little I started to grow and accepted what was being offered to me. I made a lot of mistakes in the process because I was constantly tripping over my self centered thinking. But in time I could feel and experience the changes and the relief they brought into my life.
As I was thinking about what I heard from those I had talked to, I had to stop and take a few moments to recall what I was exposed to in this program. What I had been given which had freed me from the chains of my defects. My old thinking and habits. This program and my Higher Power gave me what I needed to slowly grow along spiritual lines and freed my mind.
Anyway it did what I always seek to do. To remember why I came here and what it is I need to do to stay sober a day at a time. And there it is. A day at a time. No faster and no further than this moment. I am so grateful for all I have been given. As always I have to remember to be grateful to my Higher Power and all those in here, who have helped me.