I’m always amazed it seems, when I find myself and someone else in this program, talking about our problems, looking for solutions. But it’s more than that I have discovered. It’s the gift we have been given. That’s the ability, learned through others, to help one another. The freely given gift, which I’ve been told to freely give to others.
One of the gifts I have found in doing this kind of service for someone else is that I’m often the one, who is getting helped. I may be sharing and doing what it is we’re supposed to do for others, but somehow I end up feeling like I was the one being helped. Amazing.
And, of course, all of this is about staying sober. What I learned from my sponsor and others in this program. Especially those old timers, who were constantly giving me their examples. No matter how imperfectly or perfectly. It was enough to show me what I am supposed to be doing.
For me this way of life is putting these spiritual principles into action. Just like I was told and what I have read in here in the BB and the 12&12. From them I learned the language I needed and found out exactly what I should be doing.
And of course I will go back and read the BB, when I find I need to. And just as often I will stop and read a story and discover things about myself, by what they are telling me. In fact this evening I stopped and read a short story by a woman who was driven by fear. For a while I could identify with a few little things, but by the end I began to find a lot of myself in her story. Just enough to once again wake me up to who I am and what it is I need to do to live this program one day at a time.
But going back to helping others, like that woman did just by writing that story, I am reminded of what it is I am supposed to be doing and why I am here to start with. Giving this program to others, whether they’re new or been here for some time, I find I can step away from my self centeredness. Put my ego aside and become open and give of myself. Another way of giving thanks for the gift of sobriety I have been given.
Anyway, just taking time to stop and think about why I am here. I’m here to stay sober a day at a time. And, whenever I can, to put this program into action. Spiritual action, which I need to do each and everyday in the best way I can. Not always perfect, but do-able.