One of those things we all had to go through was trying to achieve maturity. Growing up and being able to practice living a sensible life we all so desperately needed, when we came into this program. It’s this which will give us the best way to stay sober and live a very wholesome life in this program, practicing spirituality and relying on our Higher Power, and accepting the help we need from others like ourselves.
I was talking to a few sober alcoholics in this program today. A few were old timers, some have been in here for quite a while, and then there were another few, who have been in this program a short time. Much of this was about working this program and staying sober. Helped me to feel settled down the way I should. In fact, we all should.
Most of us, who have been in this program for a while, have grown aware of just how immature we discovered we were, after we had come into this program for a while. My second sponsor and all those old timers I came to know, were able to help wake me up to this fact. And so it was with others, who were able to admit they too had been awakened to this fact. We all had to learn how to listen to mature sponsors and old timers, who could help us to be able to learn how to put this program into action in our lives. Not always easy, but do-able, because we wanted to stay sober and live a happy and peaceful way of life.
Of course one of these alcoholics and I were able to have a long discussion about all of this. We were able to talk about how we can develop a sane way of living our lives with others, whom we know we have no power over. Like so many others I knew in here in the past, I know I can live a peaceful way of life, with family and friends, despite the fact they can often be angry and fretful with me. I have learned how to live a peaceful way of life regardless of what goes on. I learned all this, starting way back in the Second Step, and all the others Steps. And, of course, the First Step, where I was able to be freed from my drinking alcohol.
But, like I learned, the spiritual life is not a theory. I had to begin to live it. And, I had to develop a relationship with my Higher Power. To grow in respect and humility, and to become useful in what was given to me by this God of mine. And, as time went on, I became more and more grateful for what has been given to me. And more willing to, not only continue to develop a relationship, but to do His will for me.
Anyway, I had to stop and think about all of this later on. It gave me peace of mine and gratitude. It always has helped me to accept this way of life and stay sober a day at a time. I have been given the love I have always needed, and how it is I can return this love to my Higher Power, and all those who have helped me along the way in here. Faith, hope, and love, and compassion are what I need each and everyday. Being willing to not only stay sober for myself, but to freely give to others what was so freely given to me. I am truly grateful to my Higher Power, and all those who have helped me to live and practice this way of life a day at a time.