– Be bold and mighty forces will come to your aid. ~ Goethe
When I dragged ass into my first meeting, the only thing I was really focusing on was to not drink or drug. That was it. It was brutally clear that I couldn’t do it on my own.
I’d heard about Alcoholics Anonymous (you’d have to be living under a rock not to) and I showed up because I was at the end of my rope.
I didn’t want a sales pitch. I just wanted to look, listen and feel. To see for myself what all the fuss was about. I was strictly a tire- kicker.
We never recognize the most significant moments of our lives when they’re happening. That meeting was my watershed moment.
Here was a group of healthy, happy people who were obviously enjoying themselves and having fun…without a drink or drug in sight.
Stopping is one thing.
Staying stopped is something else.
Living a happy, productive, fulfilling life is a different sport altogether.
After meeting those people, it was clear that I’d crossed over some type of threshold, and there was no turning back.
In time, I realized my life had been spent moving towards Alcoholics Anonymous. I’d been prodded into the rooms by God.
I got a white chip.
Thirty days later, I got a 1 Month chip.
Two months later, I was presented with 3 Months…
Before I knew it, I had a year.
Not too shabby for someone who couldn’t go for a day.
That was a lifetime ago, and today, the Roman Numeral on my medallion is something I never dreamed of.
All the stuff they told me has come to pass.
The promises don’t just come true.
They become a permanent, ongoing condition of your life.
And in time, you’ll evolve into the person you always wanted to be, but thought was beyond your grasp.
Keep in mind:
Just because you’re sober, life isn’t going to be unicorns, rainbows, Care Bears, and Smurfs. To suggest anything else would constitute false advertising…life happens.
But no matter what, you can get through anything without picking up a drink. You now have a network of friends, and the tools to cope.
When I see someone with a lot of time, I recognize a person who’s been through it all and stayed the course.
HERE’S THE TAKEAWAY:
Alcoholics Anonymous absolutely works.
You can take that to the bank.
All these years later I’m still coming to meetings. Wanna know why? Meetings are a good time! There’s coffee, cookies and camaraderie. You get to see your friends, listen to some good stuff, and be heard.
That first meeting from so long ago was very much like the one I attended this evening: lots of hugging, kissing, laughter and socializing. Some reaching out for help, and others gladly giving it. The cast of characters has changed, but the play remains the same.
Meetings aren’t just group therapy for someone on a budget.
I first came because I had to;
I kept coming because I wanted to;
I Now show up because I love to.
This is where I belong.