Good meeting today. It was on the First Step among a lot of alcoholics who had some time in this program. Some long, some medium, and a few short timers. But the subject brought up a lot of really good things.
Almost everyone talked about the difficulties they had coming to a point where they recognized that they were powerless and needed to finally surrender. Pain, despair, drove them to that point.
But almost everyone told how by finally working this First Step into their lives they began to find a new way of life they had no idea even existed. The peace and happiness they found over time was a big part of this.
Most talked about the humility needed to try to control their egos and their wanting to still run this world their way. Most admitted that they still had to deal with their stumbling over their defects and having to practice these Steps to take care of them.
Not just their egos alone, but their emotions.
Like everyone else in there I shared my thoughts and experiences. I could not agree more when it came to the fact that regardless of time in here I still find myself running into my faults and my defects. Not as bad as they once were, but still can get me mixed up. Shows me how much I still don’t know. Plus that I still have a lot to learn and practice in here.
Almost everyone who spoke is more committed to staying sober and never drinking ever again. And we were all reminded that this is just a day at a time. That I cannot do this by myself. I have to have a Higher Power and the help of everyone in here. And I need to be grateful for all I have been given.
I think most said that they think of this First Step very frequently. It takes them back to that moment of surrender and acceptance of being powerless over alcohol and having an unmanageable life.
Anyway, just being able to sit through a meeting with such great feelings being expressed makes me grateful. Just wanted to stop and run this through my mind once more. All about sobriety. Love it.