Talking to a few people lately brought home one of the best things we have in this program: sharing. I know what my sponsors and others did for me. They taught me to share and then they returned that favor by sharing with me. All of this did for me what I so desperately needed. And that was, to begin with, a positive attitude, despite what might have been going on.
It all started for me way back. And that was what my old sponsor said to me, which opened the door. He helped me to stop lying to myself and others. He told me that I didn’t know that I didn’t know. I only thought I did. That almost knocked me off my feet. It was a wake up call. I know we all need that, after having listened to a whole lot in this program. And I have always been thankful to my old sponsor for him telling me that.
However, one of the things, which hurts most of us in here, is our attitude. Once we get into difficulties of some sort, we drift into negative attitudes. And once there, we get stuck in one thing we can’t let go of, which keeps dragging us down. Not easy to get out of, once we’re in there. And that’s when we all have to learn how to get open and learn what we so desperately need. Never to drink alcohol ever again. And negative attitudes can pull us down into the pits, which deafen and blind us to others.
I had to learn the hard way, that no matter what my difficulties are, I have to step aside and learn how to stay in the day. Not to drift down into myself and go down into the black pits within me. That’s because I project into the future. And always, when we get into such a drift, we begin to paint a negative result no matter what. And that has taken some of us back out the door. Seen it too often.
I had to learn to get open and share what’s bothering me with others, and then back up, become open, and listen to what is being shared with me. Through that I learned how often I was not alone in what I was going through. Many had been where I was at the time I finally was sharing. I listened to how they handled their sobriety and their problems. Not always the answers I wanted to hear, but in the end, just what I needed.
If nothing else, talking to others and giving of myself, I began to learn how to open myself up to a positive attitude I so desperately needed. when I was able to take on these kinds of attitudes, I began to experience the peace I needed in my life. It helped open me to answers I needed. Not always what I wanted, but, l learned what I really needed, which began to work for me.
In the end, it always led me back to where I belonged. I learned how I could blind and deafen myself to what I needed, which was my primary purpose to stay sober a day at a time.
It also reminded me of my need to grow along spiritual lines and depend on my Higher Power. To be grateful for all I had been given in growth in here. The gift of peace and serenity, which returned when I began to be open to being on a positive note. I had to once again be grateful for, not only my Higher Power, but all those, who were willing to share with me. And I also learned from my own experience, how others who, share their problems with me, begin to help me grow along spiritual lines. I begin to have compassion and love for others, as well as faith, hope, and eventually love…and, finally, understanding.