May 2022

The Real Me?... having had to face up to the exact nature of my own wrongs, with Step Five, I now had to admit these to another person. By now I understood the importance of total honesty about myself and my past, and that long-term sobriety depended on this. While challenging, this Step brings so much relief in being able to put down the burden of the past and learn to truly live again.  What joy! To have found trust again – in my Higher Power, at least one other person and even in myself – ensured my continuing journey on this spiritual path. 
With Tradition Five in mind, I also realised that for me to keep this hard-won sobriety, it would be important to remain open to doing whatever service presented itself. And, through the will of my Higher Power, I gain the strength and courage to fulfil these service opportunities. 

Next month, many of you will be gathering in Leeds to celebrate the AA GB 75th Anniversary with the team looking forward to all the wonderful articles you submit. Don’t forget to send us your experience, strength and hope around any other anniversary celebrations you have. 

Thank you for the wonderful response to our theme this month, which was based around emotional well-being – very important in what continues to be rather unsettling times.  I know I have to rely constantly on our wonderful Recovery Programme - I now understand what Fellows meant when they said, “I’m grateful to be an alcoholic, in recovery”.  Today I can remain aware of, and deal with, my own life and shortcomings, while working on leaving everything else alone. Being able to live life on life’s terms is …the real me.