The meeting today was one of those old time meetings, we used to attend years ago. It contained a new alcoholics, who had come to hear what the people in this program had to say, which could open the door for them to stop drinking and begin to get sober.
It is always this kind of meeting, which helps to remind me of why I am here to begin with. It not only opens the door to the new person, but can help alcoholics like myself to begin to exercise compassion to help the new comer. At the same time I have to be able to stop and remember that I am not in charge. Just trying to do what I learned in here.
And this is the time for me to back up and learn to begin to do what we all need to do. And that’s to begin to practice what we all need, and that’s humility. Not something I really am used to doing. However I know from those old timers and those who have taken the time to learn how to put the spiritual life into action. I am not here to try to become famous and the head of this program.
I learned a long time ago, from those old sponsor and old timers, that I need to learn to get out of my own way. I know that I am to let others hear what it was that changed me and got me sober. And then to back up and listen to others like myself doing the same thing, which could save this new alcoholic from dying from this disease.
Anyway, I had to stop and think about this way to continue to stay sober a day at a time. I never ever want to forget this. That’s why, when the opportunity to help a new member comes up, like others I am given the chance to try to have the compassion to do what is so necessary to join in the unity to help others. To be able to do what was done for me years ago, when I was freely given the way to stop drinking and then grow along spiritual lines to stay sober and help others. For that I am really grateful.