Today I was able to come out with a statement at the meeting, which talked about staying sober. Actually the group was talking mostly about feelings. My question was what about the Fifth Tradition. I didn’t say that though. What I said that we were there about staying sober.
When we get caught up in feelings, I always think that if this is the problem, then we should go to counselors, psychologists, doctors, or ministers. After all the reason I know that a lot of us go to meetings is that we want to stay sober a day at a time.
Everyday I get up, it’s about staying sober this day. And one of the subjects today was about expectations. That’s why we have sponsors. Or we used to. Those old sponsors were willing to talk about what was bothering us. But not in the meetings.
When I look around the rooms, I often see individuals, who don’t have that much time in here and need support to stay sober a day at a time. That’s why I often think about the Fifth Tradition. It talks about those of us, who still suffer. And if we are not getting the help we need, that leads to suffering for sure.
Anyway, I love this program and I love staying sober a day at a time. And one of those things my sponsor and those old timers told me was that I was not to project into the future. They would often ask me where my feet were. And then they’d tell me that’s exactly where I am. I’m not to go any further. No way into the future, or even the past. I’m to stay here and stay sober.
I have a lot of gratitude to all those old timers, and a lot of people around me today, who have helped me to stay sober. That and my Higher Power, whom I pray to and depend upon each and everyday. Like the Third Step prayer points out, that hopefully I will find I’m being helped, and that help I get gives evidence to those I work with, of my Higher Power’s love, power, and way of life. I know I grew along lines where I could see that in those around me. And like I said, I am grateful.