Talking to another alcoholic today reminded me of a lot of things. One of those was the idea of responsibility.
Way back, when I came in, I heard something for which I was responsible. I was told that I was not responsible for my alcoholism or my drinking. But once I knew and understood that I was not responsible for my drinking, I then became responsible for my not drinking. And that’s where the 12 Steps came in.
If I was ever going to be able to pick up this responsibility I was definitely going to need help. And that help was to come from a higher power. I was going to have to be restored to sanity from the insanity of my drinking alcohol. I was going to have to have a psychic change; a spiritual awakening. And that’s exactly what the 12 Steps did for me.
For the first time in my life I was able to take up what I had lacked all my alcoholic life. From total irresponsibility in my alcoholic drinking, I was now able to be responsible. I had never thought that way before, but now I could. Not only could I think that way, but I am now able to do it.
I know that this is only a day at a time. That’s why it is important to me to remember my responsibility each day. Today is the day for me to not only think about this, but to do it. And the only way to do this is to rely on my higher power for the power I lack on my own and to practice these principles I have learned in all my affairs. Or, at least, try.
Anyway, after our talk today, I sat and thought about my responsibility.