Earlier today I was reading some thoughts for alcoholics like myself. It gave me some guidance to where I should be this day, if not everyday. I know how easy it is to drift off and away from why I am here and what it is I should be doing each and everyday, if I want to stay sober and continue to live this way of life I have been given.
It was a reminder to this chronic alcoholic just how imperfect I really am. I learned that a long time ago from my old sponsor and a lot of those old timers. It was them who helped turn my mind around and my heart and my soul and put me on the track I needed to be on, if I wanted to stay sober and never drink alcohol again.
One of the keys on this path was my introduction to a spiritual way of life. The Second Step and then the rest of this program. During this process I came to learn just what this new way of life was all about. I came to learn the value of hope, faith, and finally love. I was given examples of all of this in here by so many alcoholics like myself. I never want to forget that.
One of those values was emphasized today. Love or charity. I often call it compassion. The Twelfth Step. The willingness on my part to give and share what I was so freely given by my sponsor and so many in here. And I should say my Higher Power, who is the source of strength and courage to do what I need to do, if I wish to stay sober, which is more than just not drinking.
I have to be willing to lay my thoughts and wishes aside for the good of others, who need it. Just as my sponsor and all those others did for me through all this time. I can remember so clearly some of the sacrifices these alcoholics gave to help me to grow along spiritual lines and stay sober a day at a time.
This morning I was reminded of what the BB said about all of this. Rarely have we seen a person fail who has thoroughly followed our path. That thought often reminds me of words of the poet Robert Frost I have continued to treasure over time. Kind of describes why we sober alcoholics in this program have been so blessed. Talk about “paths”. He ends the poem by saying he took the road less traveled by and that made all the difference.
Alcoholics like myself have done the same. We certainly took a path other alcoholics, who are still out there, the majority, didn’t take. This program. I am so grateful for all of this. I never ever want to forget what I have been given. I look back at my old sponsor and all those old timers, who started me on this path and always want to be able to thank them.
I guess that’s why I have learned and become willing to share what I have been given with others, who need what we have been given. Not just the newcomers, but those like myself, who from time to time find ourselves stumbling over our old faults. Our imperfections and find ourselves suffering. Just another reminder of why I am here. To stay sober a day at a time and to continue to follow this path.