Alcoholics!!!

[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.

[CarolD]

Thanks for the powerful reminder

[Music]

Thank you gravity. And, when I stand at the end of the meeting, hold hands and say the Lord's Prayer, I get all the power I need from the vertical and the horizontal to keep going just one more day.

[Mark75]

Originally Posted by gravity

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.

Originally Posted by Music

And, when I stand at the end of the meeting, hold hands and say the Lord's Prayer, I get all the power I need

Thanx for this thread... I am often blown away by the dignity in the face of life changing events, overwhelming odds, and tragedy that is shown by those in meetings. And, whew, some days when we say the Lord's prayer, yea, powerfull...

Mark

[24hrsAday]

A.A. has some of the finest people in the world.. thanks gravity!

[Believe808]

Thanks Gravity. Like they say, if we all put our troubles in the center of the room we would probably take our own back. The people in AA give me hope and I am truly grateful.

[MsChief]

Excellent thread. I was inspired in my younger days by a woman who was suffering from terminal cancer. I used to think, if I was her, I would drink! She died about 5 years ago and she is still inspiring me to this day. Her sponsees litter the rooms.

I am grateful that today I haven't wanted or needed a drink and I thank you for this message. Sometimes I need a good kick up the behind to make me thankful for my blessings and this thread provided me with that.

[freya]

Thanks, gravity, for an awesome post!