One of those things I almost always stop and think about is going to meetings on a regular basis. That thought came to me a long time ago, because of what I not only learned from my sponsor and old timers, but what I witnessed over time.
I got to know many people in my time in here and have seen quite a few stop going to meetings. Some of them didn’t stop completely for a while, but in the end did. Quite a few of them said that they felt comfortable and secure. Others felt that they just might not be alcoholics. However all of them eventually went through the same things.
At first they began to stop or just forgot what it was they were doing in here. After a while they weren’t drawn back into alcohol right away, but their old thoughts and feelings started to take over their lives. And it was like they weren’t even aware of that. And most fell back into alcohol. Some died, as a result.
Others got into a lot of trouble. Some came back and tried to get sober again, but quite a few went back out. And then there were others, who came back, eventually began to get their brains into a normal way, as they were before, and are still here. These were the least number, who didn’t drink again, but just were crazed by their thinking at the time.
All this gave me a warning I really needed. I know it definitely kind of fixed into place what I was told by my old sponsor and others. That I’m here to stay sober a day at a time and it’s meetings which help keep me doing this. I know meetings help me maintain my balance, mentally and spiritually. I hear things which help me, and often remind me. And meetings introduce me to the newcomers, and even others, who have been around a while, who share with me and me with them. And, of course, the Twelfth Step. Allowing me to freely give, like I was given. And it’s an expression of gratitude on my part.