Recently I have been talking and sharing with some long time friends in here. And a lot of things came up, which always makes me uncomfortable. Not that I would have a part in all of this, but it still is not good news.
What we were talking about were people we know, who no longer go to meetings. In all my time in here, when I have seen this happen over and over again, I have seen the worst aspect. A return to active alcoholism and usually death. Not always, but for the most part. And it reinforces my going to meetings, as it has for those I was talking to.
Makes me stop and go back in my experiences in this program. I can never forget how my old sponsor and all those old timers would encourage me to continue to go to these meetings. They continued to not just to reinforce my daily purpose for being here. And that is that I’m here to stay sober a day at a time and meetings help reinforce my commitment to stay sober.
Part of that commitment is the basic need I have to practice a spiritual way of life. And it’s at meetings that I am reminded to do what I need in here on a daily basis. We talked about our being able to open up to the Second Step. The need to begin to live a spiritual way of life, or, as the BB points out, end up once again drinking and dying. I know that line in the BB got my attention and helped me to change. That and finding a Higher Power and committing myself to this. And part of that commitment is my attendance at meetings one day at a time.
Some of those I talked to, also had been able to talk to at least one of these “drifters”, as did I. People, who spoke to us about this, told us how they began to sink back into where they were, while they were out there drinking before. Just like the BB stated. They were losing their sanity.
Anyway, we were all completely reinforced in our dedication to continuing to be active in our meeting attendances. Our active commitment to staying sober a day at a time. An action of gratitude to my Higher Power and this program. Allowing me to practice that Fifth Tradition in here. A way of expressing thanks to others like me, who have helped me. And helping me to practice that Twelfth Step.