After a meeting today on our primary purpose, a few of us talked about writing things about our sobriety down. It was enlightening to hear others talk about something I believe in wholeheartedly.<\/p>\n
For a lot of years now I have been doing this very thing. I’ve known others over time, who have done the same thing. Often for the same reason I do. It helps me focus on what it important in my staying sober. My primary purpose.<\/p>\n
For a long time I kept journals on what I had heard, what I had read, what I had done in this program to practice what I had learned in here. Things my sponsor had told me and things I had heard from those old timers in here. It also emphasized the fact that we live this life just a day at a time.<\/p>\n
A lot of it was dedicated to learning about my Higher Power. As time went on I could go back and see if I was making progress in this regard. Of course that was dependent on how much I was changing from the man I was, when I came in. The question, when I looked at my character defects, was I really growing along spiritual lines? Good question for this alcoholic.<\/p>\n
One thing that was obvious, when it came to my primary purpose, was that I was still sober and didn’t want a drink of alcohol. That amazed me back then and still often comes to me as a miracle in my life. From not being able to turn a drink down to not just wanting a drink, but to not even thinking about one. That peace of mind alone always makes me grateful for what has happened to me. <\/p>\n
And of course, the second part of my primary purpose, to help another alcoholic. And that’s another bonus in being able to focus in writing. I can better remember what has helped me so that I can relate that to someone else. My experience, strength, and hope. What’s important to me.<\/p>\n
I always remember that time, when I was sent on a 12th Step call by my first sponsor. I was a mere six months in the program at that time. I hardly knew what the AA message was then. I hadn’t started writing things down yet, because I was too new and didn’t know any better.<\/p>\n
But I did what I was told. I don’t think I had been with that alcoholic an hour in the hospital, when he asked me to leave. I did, but told myself that I had failed. I went to my sponsor and asked him why he had sent someone like me on that call. He said that he knew that if I could win the argument with myself I could stay sober. When I think back on it that’s always the result for alcoholics like me. It helps me stay sober by giving it away to someone else. Even if they refuse help.<\/p>\n
I learned later that the man I went to see was a psychologist. Maybe that’s why he sent me. Who knows? I don’t. But the man did come in later and got sober. But that’s another story.<\/p>\n
Just a reminder to me that this day, as all days, is about sobriety.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
After a meeting today on our primary purpose, a few of us talked about writing things about our sobriety down. It was enlightening to hear others talk about something I believe in wholeheartedly. For a lot of years now I have been doing this very thing. I’ve known others over time, who have done the … <\/p>\n