Had a talk with a friend of mine this morning, who had moved away from the area to another major city. It was nice hearing from him. However one thing became clear as the conversation went on. I mean, here he is going to meetings, but there was something he said that was lacking, since he moved down there. One of the most important parts of my sobriety and I know his too.
He became aware of it over the time he’s been living down there. And what’s that? The lack of a sponsor. He’s found himself running his own program without the help of someone outside of himself. Someone with enough time in this program, who can help him get over the human hurdles, which we all suffer from, regardless of how much time we have in here.
I know I shared with him my own experiences in this program. I definitely know how much I needed direction. It’s so important for alcoholics like myself. Left to my own devices I know the danger my mind can pull me down into. However I know how blessed I was with the sponsor I had for so many years. His example and his guidance were exactly what I needed in my life.
Along with that I was fortunate that there were a couple of people I grew to know and develop a deep compassion for over the years in here. One of them I met early on and the other came right after. Over the years we have been able to share what was going on with each of us and we were able to support each other through some really rough times in here. And today we still have a deep friendship and stay close and keep an open mind and support for one another.
One of the obvious parts of this program we have been able to learn and talk about is the spiritual program we have grown to practice in here. That is part of what brings so much strength to support us in the maintenance of our sobriety. Not only that, but through our sharing, we have been able to take care of so much of what can bother us and take us off track in here.
I look back over time and think of all we have gone through and are still active in doing what is necessary for us to go on and continue to be active in this program. Being part of what we learned to do in this program. Going to meetings on a regular basis, listening to others and sharing what we have learned and practiced in here. Being willing to help others like ourselves. Sponsoring them when they need the help to get through the difficulties they face.
One of the things my friends and I had in common was my sponsor and his wife, both of whom had the time and experience we needed to help us to stay on track. Plus we knew all those old timers and their individual sponsors, who also would reach out to me, when I needed it, as did my sponsor and his wife to both of them. We often go back and remind each other the directions we were given to get through this or that difficulties in our lives. Never want to forget any of this.
I was glad my friend and I had this talk today. I know he was grateful and knew what he had to do next. I know it was a great reminder for me of what is so important in this program. The guidance and support we all need. I learned early on that I can’t stay sober by myself. Something I know I can’t afford to forget. And that’s exactly why I and others need each other to continue to grow in sobriety and in this spiritual way of life we all need to practice. We both promised to stay in touch and share our program with each other.
I had to stop today and think about all of this. I know how much I believe I owe my Higher Power for all the help I have been given through the years, which have turned my life around and opened the door to the changes I needed in order to stay sober and live a better way of conducting myself and relating to others. It has brought a gift of happiness and a much more peaceful way of life for me. I can’t really express just how grateful I am, but I know if I will continue a day at a time to do what I need to do it is part of my gratitude.