Talking to a few long timers in sobriety helped to remind me of exactly why I am here. Of course it’s no mystery. I’m here, like all of us, to stay sober. That was pretty much why we were reminded of what meetings used to be like. The Fifth Tradition. That each group has but one primary purpose–to carry the message to the alcoholic who still suffers.
Of course the long form is short. It states that, Each AA group ought to be a spiritual entity having but one primary purpose–that of carrying its message to the alcoholic who still suffers. And that’s not always the new person, but sometimes long timers, who are suffering something, which could lead them back to a drink of alcohol.
I know from my own old experiences, what can often happen, that I really didn’t want to tell anyone what was eating me up. And sometimes it was exactly what I knew what it was that killed my first sponsor and others. Resentments. But, I know from what others told me, it could be any negative emotions eating away at them.
But it’s the thought of the “Spiritual entity”, which strikes me. It’s one thing to carry the message, being practical, and another to be following what makes this program work. What the BB said in the Ninth Step, that the spiritual life is not a theory. We have to live it. Never want to forget that.
Anyway just needed to think about what we had been talking about. What it is that has helped me to stay sober. What was so freely given to me. And what I hopefully have been giving to others. Not just the new person. But what I have been able to do to help those I know in here.
I know what was given to me over and over again over time. And that’s the message that I need to stay sober one day at a time. Not to wander off into the future or drift back into the past. I was told to stay sober right where I am at the moment. Not always easy. That’s why those old timers would call me out from time to time. Especially my old sponsor. Where was I at this moment? Right here. No further.
Need to stop and give thanks for this program, my old sponsor and those old timers, and all those people, who have helped me. But especially I need to give thanks to my Higher Power, who really works this program for me. So grateful.