From An Old-timer

Audio Version 

Roundabout always encourages members who are young in the Fellowship to share their experience, strength and hope with us all. I take great delight from reading these articles and hope and pray that they all stay. At meetings I love to meet people young in sobriety as I firmly believe today that my primary purpose on earth is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety. I need everyone who comes through the doors to share thereby reminding me of what it was like, what happened and what it is like now.

Often, newcomers can help newcomers a lot more than I can as I am sure it is just as difficult today as it was when I came in to envisage long term sobriety. Having never heard of AA before I arrived when I found out that the two men who 12-Stepped me were 18 months and just over five years sober I struggled to understand how anyone could achieve that.

When I heard the saying ‘Stay away from one drink for one day for one’s self’ I dismissed it as rubbish. I thought I was far superior to those poor souls even though  at that stage of my life suicide looked a better alternative than going on as things were. I also now know that as well as causing all the trouble in my life at that time my drinking was also causing a lot more trouble in other people’s lives. I went to my first Highland Gathering in March 1975 after being released from the hospital in the January and there I heard an Al-Anon speaker share what she had to suffer and put up with and it made me cringe. I am a member of a 12 x 12 group and whenever we come to Steps Eight and Nine I still cringe thinking of what others had to endure.

Today is a beautiful sunny day. I am at home with my wife in a very contented, peaceful home for which I give thanks on a daily basis. Today I have read my 24 hour book and my Daily Reflections and turned my will and my life over to God. Now I have to work for the rest of this day only, at continuing to live a sober life in accordance with all that AA has taught me.

If you are early in sobriety or are currently struggling please don’t pick up that first drink. Come to meetings and tell us about your concerns. Drink will not solve anything in your life but AA will. Early in my sobriety an old timer said to me “May sobriety be your constant companion.”  This I wish for you all, one day at a time.

Douglas

Inverness Step & Traditions Online Sunday