One of the best thrills for me is seeing a newcomer at a meeting.  First I wonder, will they come back for a second meeting?  Then if they do, and they then come for a third and fourth meeting, and meetings turn to months, I begin to wonder what hidden treasure will they find?

I am always amazed of the hidden talents in alcoholics that were never shown before.  These gifts were never nurtured and they just sat stagnant waiting to come alive.  One of the best artists I have ever met was an alcoholic.  In fact, through recovery, he began making money with this gift.

I met a woman who hadn't sung a song since high school, but by her third year in sobriety, she was a lead singer in a blues band.

Its unbelievable how many people whom I've sat around the tables with that can take a chunk of old wood and bring it to life.  

My favorite author and the best speaker I've ever seen in person has been sober for over 40 years - his name - John Bradshaw.

My gift comes alive through a pen (or a keyboard) sharing my own experiences and those I hear around the tables, as well as this message board.  At times, I feel uneasy sharing this gift, but then I realize it was a gift given to me to share.

This latest creation came about from a couple of meetings I recently attended as well as some recent threads found here.  It's about becoming a child again.

I needed to learn patience.  When I achieved sobriety I wanted peace and serenity and I wanted it NOW.  I needed to learn how not to act on impulse, but rather by following His will.  And most of all I needed to learn to trust in something (AA) and Someone, that I never wanted before.

For me, I needed to be "reprogrammed."  I needed to find the innocence and the humility of a healthy child and learn again.

I hope you like this poem/video and I'd also like to know what gifts have you received through sobriety that you never acknowledged when you drank.