Over the years in here, talking to friends has helped me to grow and be grateful. I know that when I came in I did everything I could to avoid these kinds of talks. I was totally paranoid and didn’t want to talk to anyone. I was sure I knew what this was all about. When I saw a group standing on the other side of the room and laughing, I was sure it was about me. Talk about insanity.
However as time went on, I began to let my guard down and grew to like some of the people. And over time it has all changed. Not just friendships, but love and caring for others. That’s what I heard way back then. I remember hearing a very spiritual man saying I needed to develop four things. The first was perseverance. The second, hope. I was to develop hope and persevere in it. Then faith, and to continue to persevere in it. And finally love. And of course, persevere in it. And, over time it has worked.
So, sitting with friends all four of these are in place, and we can be open with one another. This is the way it has been over all this time in here. I am aware of this, because I have friends, who go way, way back, and are here even up to this day, whom I talk and share with and they with me. We help each other to continue to grow. If we have difficulties we share them and then listen to one another. I have two, whom I have never separated from. Ever. I knew them from their first meetings in here and we are pretty close in our time in here.
One of those things I acquired over time, is that I do not really compare my time in with all of my friends. I realize that we are all here a day at a time. I know, of course, that when they run into trouble, that I have been there and know what I had to do to overcome these problems. And we do share.But it’s not looking down at them, but growing in equality.
All this began to come into reality in here with the help of those old timers I met back then. Especially my sponsor and his wife. They were open in showing me how to change. Sometimes they had to come down on me hard to wake me up. And I have grown in gratitude for their help.
Anyway, I went out with a couple of friends and sat and talked and shared with them. Once again it opened my heart and my mind. I was reminded of things I had to do and I needed to share. And, of course, it made me aware of why we are here. To stay sober a day at a time. A reminder of what was freely given to me, which I know I need to freely give to others. After we left I had to reach a point, where I was aware of my Higher Power, this program, and the people in it, who have helped m grow along the way. Makes me grateful.