One of the things I stop and think about from time to time are special prayers. One of those is the prayer of St. Francis of Assisi. The reason I go back to this is because it has so many features in it which holds out what the spiritual life is all about. Especially in this program. One of those is trying to be able to bring hope, faith, love, and joy into the lives of others.
I would guess, from my experience, I was always given hope and faith in here by my sponsor and those old timers. Over time I know that I received love. Love from my sponsor and quite a few of those old timers. But I was also extended these three by those who grew into be friends of mine. And still are. And they always extend faith and hope into my life, and of course love.
However joy is something else. Over the years I have been, not necessarily consciously, bringing this into my sharing with others. Especially those, whom I talk with on a regular basis. Often I will start everything off with laughing and helping them to raise themselves up to that level. For me it is a big help in getting others to adopt a positive attitude. Not only that, but it helps me to arrive at that same point.
I am not necessarily sure it is actually joy. But it does open the doors I know to joy itself. I know we are enjoying ourselves and that is better than being in the negative state and the blues. I hope it also will help us all take control of our negative emotions. Again the intellect over the emotions, as those old timers always helped me to deal with. I hope that others will finally get some kind of control over these negative emotions. I’ve seen them not only get alcoholics back out to alcohol, but also in some instances, death. And that raises the need for bringing, at least enjoyment, into their lives.
Anyway I stopped today to think about this. To me it’s important enough to at least think about it. Practicing this is also necessary. I know that often I’m not so much thinking about this until after those moments of sharing with one another. Just stopping long enough to remember what it’s all about. Often I know that something good happened, if to no else, at least to me. I always hope that it was there for others.
Just another moment to stop and to think about why I am here to begin with. And that is to stay sober a day at a time. I know, speaking of hope, faith, and love, that this is what my old sponsor and others brought to me. Especially my Higher Power. Of course this program has opened that up for me and eventually it has come true on a daily basis. Again time took time. Makes me grateful for all I have received in here. I need to say thanks to all.