Not drinking is an essential and a principle part in my staying sober today. But it’s only part of my staying sober. There is so much more in my staying sober.
I know I may not be drinking and still not be sober. I know how easily I can drift into lassitude and complacency. I’ve done it many times. When this happens, my ears become drunk and I’m not hearing what I need to do to stay sober. I can drift into sleepwalking. I’m not awake or aware of the peril into which I can put my sobriety.
I was thinking about this today, as I prepare to attend a meeting. As I was doing this, I paused to remember what my sobriety is all about. It’s the most important and best thing that ever happened to me in my life.
Last night, I had a chance to talk to my old sponsor’s widow, who is celebrating her 55th anniversary in sobriety. What a wonderful woman. I’ve known her for many many years. She has played a large part in my staying sober. I’ve spent many an hour in her kitchen, drinking coffee and talking about the program. She has always been a source of wisdom and knowledge to me and so many others I have known through the years. And, she was a good reminder to me of what my sobriety and hers and ours is all about.
Anyway, I expressed my gratitude for her years and her friendship to me. It was just another wake up call. A reminder to get up each day and renew my commitment to this program and to try to maintain the spiritual condition necessary to stay sober this day and everyday. It makes me recall what I heard on my first night in AA, that my decision to stop drinking was the most important decision I have made in my whole life. Can I ever afford to forget it? No. Not now or ever.
Anyway, I was thinking about this this morning.