I love those meetings where we have a new person present, who is seeking answers to what is wrong with them. I’m not always sure that they’re looking to get sober. Some, yes. But there are always those, who just want to hear what this program is about. Not necessarily interested in stopping drinking.
Anyway we had a new person in today, who seemed to be in the middle of the above. Might need to get sober, but not all that open. And, I’m never sure anyone wants to hear me, when I talk about pain being one of the essential needs to cause us to become willing to get sober. Yet I have heard others say the same thing. That which got them to surrender and turn alcohol over to their concept of a Higher Power.
I know that’s what turned me around. I mean there I was in total despair. Willing to end my life as soon as possible. Amazing that the bartender recognized something wrong and he stopped me and got me help. And it was that help, which gave me hope. And that hope got me to surrender alcohol to my Higher Power. And the rest of my life, as well. Somehow, though I wasn’t all that sure. Something told me I had to change from what I had been during all this drinking alcohol.
Anyway I knew today that I had to share what I had been given, as the result of my drinking. I, like others, was hoping somehow that what I was sharing could open the door for this person to want to stop drinking and surrendering. At least to take a shot at trying to get sober. Yet I was aware that people come and “listen” and then leave and never return. Perhaps sometime down the road this can change. Seen it happen before, over and over. But have also seen their lives ended as a result of their drinking
However I was impressed with how many responding stayed focused on practicing the Twelfth Step. Not much wandering. Everyone today stayed focused on alcohol and keeping the door open on our spiritual way of life.
Nevertheless I knew that no matter what this person thought, I was being given what I needed. A reminder of exactly why I am here. Here to stay sober one day at a time. That was clear. At least it was for me. It made me grateful that I could be there, doing what the Fifth Tradition says we are supposed to do, as a group. Like I said, just what I needed.