Inspiration

My daily reflection talks about the joys of sharing with newcomers. I have found as a newcomer that many people within my village have been very gracious and hospitable towards me. I have been in and out of AA for the last few years, but it wasn’t until I was fully present that I was able to feel the atmosphere. This really helps me with feeling at ease enough to share a bit. Most of the times I listen as I have heard old-timers with much sobriety continue to preach that even they still need to “shut the hell up and listen.”

As I read, I am struggling with relating it to my current situation. As pointed out in my study group, many of the things that Bill W was dealing with and people were much worse off than things are today. For example Bill W had tremendous delirium tremens (DT’s) often and consumed many bottles of liquor and ale daily. Although he had spots of dry spells, when he drank it was a lot over an extended period of times and he was in and out of the hospital often. Also, when Bill W was in recovery he would work with other alcoholics who were similar in their drinking patterns. Specifically, the alcoholics Bill W would work with were in the gutters, had lost everything or where in the psychiatric hospital strapped down. Although this was a direct reflection of the era it is a far cry from how things are today. However I am drawn to the era intellectually. I find the AA readings and other readings of the era fascinating. There is something about the early part of the century that I like learning about.

I was in a meeting today with a gentleman who was celebrating his 44^th sober birthday. Right at the end of the meeting he reached over and said “you’re the most important person in the room. Keep coming back.” What an inspiration. I will keep coming back.

David J