One of those things I rarely write about, but often think about. And that’s relationships. Not that these Steps have ignored these, but it’s just something I find myself rarely conscious of. I know that I often find myself discussing these with members in here.
I think it’s because I have been used to dealing with relations. despite how I was out there drinking. Over time I know that I have mostly improved these, even though I have stumbled over some. I think it’s because I had to deal with some drinking alcoholics and missed some of the Ninth with them. Yet I know that, over time I have ironed and smoothed out relationships I had problems with. Even my ex wife.
One of those things, which helped me in here was that spiritual man, who passed the message to me early on, that I had to learn to persevere in three areas. One was hope, the other faith, and finally love. His message was that I had to learn to do this on a daily basis. Didn’t happen over night. But in time and these Steps I know that many relations improved by basically growing along spiritual lines.
Part of that was the need to deal with my negative emotions. Learning to put the spiritual axiom in the Tenth Step into action in my life. To take care of my own business. Able to see my faults and not those of others. That helped me to begin to learn to change my thinking about others, so that I could more easily forgive and let go of anger and resentments. Learning to practice compassion, which I find as a gift I have been given by my Higher Power and this program. And the advice and example of old timers, including my old sponsor. And, of course my friends in here.
So, when I stop and examine my life, I discover peace within. And that is a great gift I was given, Never want to forget that. I had to stop today and take a look, as a result of some things I heard in here. I am so grateful that this program and the spirituality in it, have led to letting go of these dangerous old negative emotions I was once filled with from the past way of life I had lived. And, it’s not just peace, but true happiness. Being able to practice hope, faith, and love has given me the grace I need to continue to stay sober and live a good way of life. Makes me grateful to my Higher Power, this program, my old sponsor and those old timers, plus so many, who have reached out and helped me along the way.