We were talking about Twelfth Stepping today. That and working the spiritual life in this program. The reason I am thinking about this now is what happened after the meeting.
I was given a ride by one of the members and we ended up talking for about a couple of hours. Amazing. It is one of the blessings I believe we have been given. Talking about alcoholism. The disease and its solution and it’s consequences. About each of us. What happened and how we got here and where we are today.
This kind of conversation is so important to be able to have for this alcoholic and the man I talked to. He pretty much told me that. But he’s not the only one in here. I sure have had many of these over the years. In fact I really am not sure they are sharing so much as they are a form of meditation. Truly part of the spiritual life we are leading in here.
By that I mean what we are saying is not as important as what it is that lies deep within each of us as we share. There’s nothing really new in any of these. On the other hand there is a whole lot that is fresh and new. All any of us, I think anyway, has to do is to participate in these moments. Part of compassion for one another. The Twelfth Step. Opening up and sharing and supporting one another.
I also have to stop and think how much this reminded me of prayer. So much helping one another, but wondering, as did my friend, if we were being supported by our Higher Power. Just a thought.
Anyway, I received another call and a lot of the same thing went on. Don’t want to forget these moments of sharing with one another. When I have moments like this I end up feeling a sense of being at peace and having, as the Ninth Step says, a new happiness.
All this because it reminded my friend and I today, as the other man this evening, what our primary purpose is. To stay sober today. And part of that is being able to listen and to share with one another about our sobriety. And it’s this which brings so much gratitude into me for all I have received. I never want to forget any of this.