Today at the meeting we talked about our beginning in this program and all the good things that happened to us, when we came in. A lot spoke about how warmly they were welcomed and how nice all of AAs were to them.
I almost laughed. That wasn’t what it was like for me in a sense. My first meeting, way, way back, I was welcomed. And not long after that, at one meeting, when I was called on and was talking, an old timer yelled at me to “Shut up!”. He told me that I knew how to drink, but I didn’t know how to stay sober. He told me that I needed to take the cotton out of my ears and put it in my mouth and listen.
I was really angry at that moment, but simultaneously a light went on within me and I heard, “This is good for you.” I don’t know where that came from, but I never forgot that. And it was good for me. Again I was given hope, which was followed by faith. And I stayed here and began to change.
Anyway I had to stop and think about that. It reminded me once again of why I am here. I’m here to stay sober a day at a time. I learned that way back, when I did stop and began to listen. I heard over and over again, why I’m here. It was what started me to begin to work this program a day at a time. And it has taken a long time, but it has been worth it. I heard a lot of that today.
Need to stop and express my gratitude to that old timer, who shut me up and got me to start to listen and learn. I need also to give thanks to my Higher Power, and my old sponsor. The same I need to do to all of those in here, who have helped me over time to stay sober. And I need to say thanks to this program. It has worked.