One of those things I had to learn to listen to and change, took place today. Not easy to deal with. We had a young man, who had stopped drinking the other day, and believed he knew what he needed to do to stay sober. I had heard this before, and I know what he was doing. The problem is, I know from my own dealings, is that we have to learn to be quiet and listen to those who know how this program works.
I was told by my old sponsor that I didn’t know that I didn’t know. I only thought I did. Somehow I knew he was right and I needed to know how to change. And that’s what he did. He woke me up and got me to read the Second Step in the BB, which introduced me to a spiritual way of life, and got me to relate to my Higher Power.
The most difficult thing this person heard today, were the women, who didn’t tell him what was wrong with him, and how he needed to step back and learn how to change what was wrong with him. I did try to tell him, but my guess was that he didn’t really take me seriously. I felt sorry for him.
I’ve seen what has happened to people, who didn’t take what was said seriously by a few people. I know he listened to the majority, which countered what was said by the few. They were those who have been sober for a long time in here. The others were short termed sobriety.
Again I was reminded of the Serenity Prayer. We’re not here to be in charge of others. We can’t dominate or change others. We can only change ourselves. It’s the Serenity Prayer. I know I have to step back and let go, and ask for the courage to change myself. But like I said, I was able to come open to those, who knew what this program is about, and listen and become willing to change. And I did. Not easy, but do-able.
I know it made me grateful, and others like myself, that we are here to do what we need to do each and everyday. I know that I’m here to stay sober a day at a time. To focus on what it is I need to do, and to keep on keeping on. To live a spiritual way of life along with the AA program. The Steps and the Traditions. I know that I’m very much in need to grow in humility. I continue to try. Not always easy.
Anyway I have to be grateful for all I have been given in here. I owe myself to my Higher Power and this program. It was these, which changed me. Not me. I didn’t get sober on my own. Alone I could never have stopped drinking. And all the changes within me are not mine. They were given to me by my Higher Power and the program itself. So, I have to continue to learn how to back up and get the humility I need to stay sober. I need to be grateful to my Higher Power and all those in here, who taught me and helped me to change, one day at a time.