[gravity]

Don’t the people in your meetings just blow you away?

I was reflecting on a recent meeting, some of the people in the room:

A man with a rare bone disease constantly drugged up and/or in severe pain.
A young single mother of four struggling to make ends meet.
A wealthy man who lost two of his daughters, one recently.
A young single father trying desperately to get clean, to give his boy a good life.
A sixty year old man with advanced colon cancer.

Despite these challenges, these people were sitting in an AA meeting helping other alcoholics and not out trying to drink their pain away. Helping me. Sure, there was the odd mention of the challenges they are facing but it wasn’t really complaining – it was showing everyone how they are using the program to stay strong.

What I get from these people:

Perspective: I let the little dramas in my life get to me. But I’m sober and my family & I are in good health. These people humble me. Really, when you look at it I have no problems.

Strength: You can actually feel the power in the room. How could I not come out of that room feeling stronger?

Courage: To do my best. To speak out, to share, to help. It is my responsibility to help other alcoholics and the people in my life. And that help? It's always there when I need it - I just have to reach out.

Love: Always a smile, a handshake, laughing, making sure I’m okay (!).

What I am learning is that there is nothing more important in my life than my family, my health, and my sobriety. Material possessions, career, hobbies, etc. are nothing more than luxuries - nice to have, to be grateful for, but of much less importance.

Why do I go to AA meetings? Not to bitch about how unfair life is. Not to see the struggling newcomers to remind me how lucky I am (“glad I’m not that guy”).

I go because these are some of the strongest people I know and they always give me their strength and ask for nothing in return. I go because there are people that may need my strength. I go because these people help keep me sober.