Today I had a long conversation with two really sober alcoholics. One of them was in the hospital, having had surgery. The other is a long time friend. Both in the program.
At one point we got into having a long time in this program. We all knew that no matter how long we’ve been sober, we still are going to be faced with problems. We may have been relieved of alcohol being on our minds, but we still have often unmanageability. That’s because we are still human and not spiritual. Not saints. Under and within us we still have our faults and often our defects. Our being open to negative emotions. We definitely need help.
We talked about that. What is it we can do, when we’re not at meetings and sharing with a sponsor or another alcoholic, willing to share with us. And the answer from all of us was the Twelfth Step. Being willing to go to any lengths to help another suffering alcoholic. Willing to give freely what was freely given to us. To leave our thoughts and feelings behind us and to share what we have been given. Our own stories. Our history as alcoholics. Not so much the spiritual life to the new person. But what we suffered, which is similar to what they have. And then the answer we found, when we surrendered to our being powerless over alcohol.
Anyway, I was glad that we had this conversation. And we all agreed that if we aren’t talking to a new person, there are always individuals like ourselves who might be suffering from their imperfections, with whom we could reach out and share our own stories and how we learned to deal with whatever it is that is causing us negative emotions and pain.
I know that I was glad we had this conversation. A great reminder of why we are here in the first place. To stay sober a day at a time. Part of what we talked about. And our gratitude to our Higher Power, our sponsors, old timers, and other alcoholics, who have shared with us and helped us to stay sober. I think of that and willing to state what I need to. Thanks.