One of the mysteries of my life is my being here. I mean I stopped drinking, with the help of my Higher Power. Then I came into this program and tried to put it into action. Have done that and been staying sober a day at a time. I have been given the gifts of this program and am very grateful. I owe so much thanks to my Higher Power, and all those who have helped me. A lot of good people.
Along the way I have watched these people, whom I have admired and grew to care for. And, as we all grew older, so many have gone on into the other world. I’ve spent some time being able to spend time at the end with them. I had grown to care and love them. Talk about amazing growth in this program. Like the BB tells me, that the spiritual life is not a theory. I have had to learn to try to live it. I’m not always sure, but I had to stop and think about this.
Over time I knew that I had to think about those I know in here and begin to think about them and pray for them. It was one of those things I knew I had to grow into. The first was hope. That was the result of a gift given to me by the man, who opened the door to this program for me. The next thing I needed so much was faith. And it all began with my being relieved of alcohol by my Higher Power and eventually the people in this program.
Finally I overcame my resistance to other people and I began to grow toward them. At first it was affection. My being willing to return what I had learned and earned in here to others. Just like they did for me. And that led to the third need I had. And that was to love others. And I have done that over time. Something I desperately needed and now have.
I had to stop and think about this today, because I have learned over time that I need to not only think about them, but I also need to pray for them. All this began, when I learned to pray the Serenity Prayer. I had learned how I could not turn others around, but I had to accept them as they are. All this has helped to continue to grow in hope, faith, and love. Part of what it is that continues to help me stay sober a day at a time.
Anyway these thoughts are part of my expression of gratitude for all I have been given.