Talking to others often leads me back to what was wrong with me, when I came into this program. I know that reminders like this, helps me to stay out of pride and a lack of humility. They are always a wake up call, which helps me to surrender and be open and share with others about how I was helped to change and to grow in this program.
I know that talking to others like myself, who remember me from way back, helps them to encourage me in what I am doing. They I know have also been where these others I talk to have been.
Why am I going on with this stuff? Several reasons. One is to help me to be honest and open with others and myself. Another is helping myself to seek honesty and stay away from egotism. I have discovered over time that I cannot afford pride and ego inflation. And, of course, to grow in awareness of growing in compassion and caring for others.
And, of course, all of this, at least for me, has to be based on this spiritual way of life in this program. Seeking to do what it is that I have learned in this program. To be, not only full of gratitude to my Higher Power, but to be willing to do what this program has taught me that I need to do in here for others. I have observed over time, old timers and others freely giving to myself and others like myself. And that’s what I have to be able to do. To be willing to freely give to others.
And this of course is what this program is about for me. Not just the practice of giving and receiving what I have learned in here, but to institute the spiritual way of life I have learned in here from those old timers and my sponsor. I know that we are not saints. I know that I’m definitely not. Like so many in here, I am a human alcoholic. Thus I know that from time to time I am going to trip up and fall and need to pay attention to what I need to do. And that’s to ask my Higher Power for help and often forgiveness. And to share some of this with others like myself. And to be grateful.
Anyway I know that I need to also bring what I was told a long timer ago into my dealing with others. And that is my willingness to practice hope, faith, and love in this program. To never stop, but to be enduring in these. Not the easiest of things, but one of the most important practices. After all, I am aware that I need only do all of this one day at a time. The goal of my staying sober. And for all of this I am grateful.