As always at meetings I think about the alcoholic, who still suffers. And like I have always thought, it’s not always the new person or the one coming back. Although that was one of the sufferers today. That was obvious, because we could see it.
And here we were to do what is the primary purpose of the group. To carry the message to the suffering alcoholic. Just as happened to me a long time ago. I had come in finally freed of alcohol by my Higher Power. But the suffering within me was still there. My way of living, thinking, and feeling. I was, as I was told, immature, insecure, and over sensitive. Filled with ego and emotions.
As I sat and looked at that person today I remember what it felt like to come in to my first meeting. I had hope. I had not only been given that by a friend, which inspired me to pray and ask for the help I finally received. I was freed of the power alcohol had over me. Now I was hearing from alcoholics in the room the inspiration of hope within, by their sobriety and the kind of lives they were now living.
I could only hope that this person had the pain necessary to surrender and to follow what it is we need to do in here to get sober and stay sober a day at a time. Because, like the 12&12 states in the First Step that it’s pain which can get us to listen as only the dying are willing to listen. To do what is necessary to stay sober. To put this program into action.
As I sat an listened to others responding to this man I was again reminded of what was read to me on that first night. The January 6 page from the 24 Hour a Day book. How important it was for me not to take a drink and just how important my sobriety is to me. And then it asks can I ever afford to forget that even for one minute? The answer is never. I hope it will be the same for the man coming back.
What was so freely given to me by all those old timers was being freely given to this man today and it was a relief to me and I hope him also. I hope he has received the message and the gratitude we all have for being sober and living this way of life in here. I know that’s how I felt. I felt so grateful for hearing what I heard. It truly inspired me to once again remember why I am here. To stay sober one day at a time.