Today’s discussion at our meeting was about learning how to be open and being able to discuss our problems with them, rather than not talking at all. Very interesting, if we want to remain sober. That’s because not being able to talk to others can be part of isolating and ending up drunk again.
A lot of responses to this were about how so many were formerly unable to be open and listening to alcoholics, who had gotten sober, but only after they were able to talk and listen to members in here. In other words, just like the person, who brought this question up, as a topic.
I personally knew from my own experience in trying to get sober in here. And that’s when my old sponsor told me that I didn’t know that I didn’t know. I only thought I did. It opened the door for me to step back and begin to listen and learn how to stay sober and grow along spiritual lines in here. Not easy, but I began to learn how to do it.
I can remember how I began to learn from my old sponsor and all those old timers, when I was introduced to the Second Step. The opening of the spiritual way of life and my be able to accept and begin to grow faithful to my Higher Power.
I had to start to study and learn about the Steps and the Traditions, but also become able to accept ego deflation in depth. To grow in faith, hope, and love. And to learn how to not only accept what was being offered to me, but to be able to freely give this to alcoholics like myself.
Anyway a lot of sharing and openness was being given in this meeting by almost everyone there. Hopefully it could begin to help the individual to begin to grow like we all have done in here. Made me very grateful, as I felt others did the same.