I was just over 3 years sober before I would allow my sponsor to intimidate me into taking the steps of recovery. I was dying spiritually in AA because I never took the steps necessary to bring about a vital life changing spiritual experience. I discovered that I was suffering from an illness, that only a spiritual experience can conquer. Many sponsors are reluctant to tell the newcomers that information but my sponsor was candid and truthful with me. Obviously I was not pleased with it, but despite that it saved my life. I not only got permanent sobriety but it altered my whole course of life. I carried some debris from my early life which I did not want removed. I always tap danced my way around it, but when I finally got it down on paper in my 4th step, I was glad that I did not squander any more time. I find that if I fix up my past and present life by using the steps daily, I need no further therapy. It's been a good life thus far and the future is exciting. I got sober at 28. I am 51 now. My God has given me a lovely life and I am grateful.
-- Edited by gonee on Thursday 3rd of March 2011 06:53:37 PM
Your right about one thing: A persons life changing spiritual destiny lies within not without.
Whatever your perceptions are, regarding matters of spiritual insight and enlightenment, will ultimately affect how we approach those areas of concern. If you want to change a thought or a perception about certain matters like spirituality, you must put aside all misconceptions and prejudices first, then become willing to change when compelled to do so.
The same thing goes for matters of spiritual importance within the AA fellowship as well. If I exclude this or that from the AA preamble or try to recover without the help of a sponsor or put off working the steps, then the prospect of recovery beyond a reasonable limit would be pointless. I must dive in with all my extremities and pursue the program in the same manner as does a dying man search for his next breath; if I expect to maintain some sort of comfort level that is -leaving nothing to chance of course.
My fourth step was as invigorating as it was important. I could not expect to lose anything of grave value in the process, except some excess baggage. Underneath that sea of turmoil, were the stench of my alcoholic past and the heavy burdens of my youth glaring back at me in all its shame and solitude. I could not experience any lasting sobriety until I got rid of all that clutter and chaos plaguing my soul.
I felt relieved and vindicated when I released all that fury, bringing some much needed closure to my life. What emerged, ever since, was the person we all can become; One with a potential for victory and a purpose for living one day at a time. I thank God everyday for my sponsor and all the qualified professionals who helped mold me into the person I am today. Without their help and the program of AA -especially the steps- I would not be able to bear the trials and tribulations of life with the same sober demeanor I do now.
~thank you Jesus~
~God Bless~
-- Edited by Mr_David on Friday 4th of March 2011 01:17:21 AM
-- Edited by Mr_David on Friday 4th of March 2011 01:17:54 AM
-- Edited by Mr_David on Friday 4th of March 2011 01:18:47 AM
-- Edited by Mr_David on Friday 4th of March 2011 01:21:54 AM
-- Edited by Mr_David on Friday 4th of March 2011 04:07:32 PM
I heard a cracker at a meeting yesterday. A man shared that he was 25 years sober before he read the book. The Just don't drink go to meetings and stay sober by all sorts of neat "tricks" sobriety is alive and well here in Australia, mainly because the meetings had been running for about 10-15 years in Australia before the book really started to circulate. What the F*** they were doing before that, I have no idea.
