Not everyone in Alcoholics Anonymous is a “One Chip Wonder”. Your sobriety isn’t any less valid because you’ve had a slip.
A major contributing factor to my being a “One chip wonder” are those folks who went out, came back, and told us about it. They spoke about what they did or failed to do, and how they felt.
As far as I’m concerned, those are the guys who fell on the grenade for the rest of us. Those guys will strengthen your sobriety and forever alter the trajectory of your life.
However, they’re not to be confused with people who, for whatever reason, aren’t true buyers. You know, the people who are perpetually coming back. Those guys break my heart.
If you’ve ever had a slip and you’re not exactly feeling that great about yourself, that’s okay.
You only need to remember four things:
1. DON’T DO IT AGAIN. As an alcoholic, drinking will NEVER work for you. I’ve seen many good people – better people than I – destroy themselves trying to prove they could drink. It never worked. Learn the lesson, accept it and move on.
2. It’s okay to put down the 2X4. Or the Louisville Slugger. Or whatever the hell it is you’re clubbing yourself over the head with. There’s been enough of that; It really gets in the way. Suck it up, accept it and move on.
3. However much time you may have had; A day, a week, a month, a year, a decade…
Don’t start in with the lament, “It’s gone! It’s gone! All that time!Like a fart in the wind, it’s gone!”
I don’t believe that for a second.
That time is real, and it counts for something: You showed up, did solid work, and learned important lessons. Most importantly, you helped people.
Granted, that time won’t be represented on your newest medallion, but that’s the price of doing business. We don’t do Mulligans here. You’re sitting at the Grownup’s Table. Accept it and move on.
4. Promise number five: No matter how far down the scale we have gone, we will see how our experience can benefit others.
Let that promise come true for you! Everyone experiences tragic loss and bitter disappointment. No one is exempt. Use it to to help other people. Now that you’re back among the living, you possess an important perspective others may lack.
Everything happens for a reason. Accept it and move on.
HERE’S THE TAKEAWAY:
If you’ve made to AA, God has a plan for you.
If you’ve made it back after a slip, God has a mission for you. AA has given us so many fantastic tools that guide us and help us live meaningful, happy lives. The greatest of these is each other.
In the end, the choice is entirely yours:
You can be a power of example and a beacon of hope –
Or you can go down as a cautionary tale.