Had a great meeting today where I was reminded of where I am. First of all I’m sober. And that’s a reminder to me that I’m not in charge. I had to go back and restate that prayer which is so important in starting my day, the Serenity Prayer. I cannot change anyone except myself. So, I need to always keep that in mind.
Plus I have to always think how necessary the Tenth Step is to this alcoholic. It reminds me that, whenever I’m disturbed, I need to look at myself. Like it says, whenever I’m upset there’s something wrong with me and not someone else.
I came here to get sober and stay sober. I’m not here to run the life of someone else. I have to remember how important my sobriety is to me. Not someone else. No one can stay sober for me. Only I can. So I need to get out of my own way and pay attention to what I’m doing. Not what others are doing. I definitely cannot do anything about them. Like the prayer says, the things I can’t change. That’s exactly what I have to accept, and to change myself.
All this, plus I have to be open to do what I have learned in here. And that’s to stay open to helping someone, who needs and wants this program. I have to be open to working the Twelfth Step, both in the group meeting and outside the meeting, when someone shows up and expresses their need for help. And, again, I have to remember that all I can do is to work the Step. I can’t go any further than that. If they want to argue or not step into this program, I have to be able to step back.
But, again, I have to remember that this is a spiritual program, and I must pray. That’s what I do at the beginning of each day. I say those prayers, which help me to start to stay sober this day. That’s what I need to remember to do each day. And to express my gratitude for all I have been given in here. Peace and happiness, that spiritual awakening, the restoration to sanity, plus hope, faith, and love. And, of course more.