One of the most important things in this program came up today. And what is that? Sponsors. I never can ever forget that. Something we all need to know.
I’m am so grateful for sponsors. My first was a man, who took me out on a lot of 12 Step calls. That was back when there were no rehabs and hospitals didn’t take care of drunks. That didn’t happen until a few years later after I came in. So we would go out almost everyday. Sometimes two or three times. I learned a lot from him. He died a short time later. Alcohol. That got my attention.
My next sponsor was an old timer living down the street from me. He was really always paying attention to me. So I guess I shouldn’t have really been surprised. He was different. His whole thing was to get me working this program and staying sober by changing.
He became my “old sponsor”. He was the one, who really woke me up. He told me that I didn’t know that I didn’t know. He said I only thought I did. He also told me that I was educated beyond my intelligence. How right he really was. I began to learn that back then. He was the one, who told me that I was not to read the BB. He said I needed to study it. Again how right he was.
After I had begun to study the BB, he directed me to read the fourth chapter, which is all about the Second Step. And that was what blew this program open for me and began the changes I needed. It was the Second Step. It opened the door to the spiritual way of life in here. It told me that, if I didn’t I would drink again and die. I didn’t want to go there, so I acquired a Higher Power in my life and began to move on.
All this took time. It was not an overnight event. Like they always tell us, Time takes time. And then the fact is that time is always a day at a time. Not a week, a month, or a year. He told me that I was never to project my mind into the future beyond this day. He would always ask me, if I knew where my feet were. He pointed out the danger of projecting. He always said that it would lead to dangerous emotions. Anticipation could get me back into the past, which would bring up fear, anxiety, anger, and then resentments and possibly a drink again. I was to remember to pray and ask for help. To talk to my sponsor, or someone with time in the program/
After he passed away, after a lot of years, other old timers helped, especially his widow, who really helped me for a long time. She acquired 57 years in the program and died at 93. She was still sharp and on the ball to the end. Never can forget the help she gave. Kept it simple and very direct. And then a few of us, who had about the same time and the same help, stay in close touch with each other and help. We are still close friends each and every day.
Anyway, one thing I would always want to tell people coming into this program, is to get a sponsor with time in this program. To begin to listen and follow directions, regardless of what we were thinking. Truth takes time I found out. After all this time, it still takes time.
I am so grateful for my Higher Power, this program, and the directions I was given by my old sponsor and all the others, who have reached in an helped me to stay sober a day at a time. I need to say thanks and show my staying sober to them.