Mark R."s Recovery Story
Updated October 21, 2014.
My first experience with Alcoholics Anonymous was in fact by mistake. I was 21 years old and had already experienced a number of difficulties with the judicial system. I was employed and my fellow coworkers knew I did not drink like they did. They also knew to some extent that I had upcoming trials.
One of my coworkers had a friend that would stop by to visit from time to time. On one of the visits, this gentlemen asked me if I would be willing to go with him to a meeting on Saturday night.
Being the extremely intelligent individual I was, my best reasoning and logic deduced that we would be going to an Amway meeting; both my coworker and his friend were involved in Amway.
All I remember is that they were all sitting around tables drinking coffee and smoking cigarettes and sometimes laughing at what one another had said. Also, I remember some of "what it was like," I quickly identified out. All that being said, and being almost 30 years later, I have yet to forget what that man did for this alcoholic. It took some 10 more years for the AA antidote to take.
To this alcoholic the 12th step embodies AA as a whole, without it we are surely doomed.
For a number of years working the steps and doing some service work helped this alcoholic to a better way of life (learning how to live one day at a time without a drink). At some point the service work began to decline and the steps stopped being as important, I stopped "living my way into a new way of thinking" and began trying to "think my way into a new way of living". I failed! The insanity of thinking a lot of alcohol would make it better returned. It did not! Again AA was there, the 12th step.
Much like the person the goes to the doctor because his throat is sore, gets an antibiotic, takes it, begins to feel better and stops taking it, the sore throat returns even though the doctor instructed them to take the medicine until its gone. I guess that person has a sore throat mind? Or maybe they are just human.
Today having the privilege of service work enriches my life and hopefully allows the opportunity for continued growth.
My first experience with Alcoholics Anonymous was in fact by mistake. I was 21 years old and had already experienced a number of difficulties with the judicial system. I was employed and my fellow coworkers knew I did not drink like they did. They also knew to some extent that I had upcoming trials.
One of my coworkers had a friend that would stop by to visit from time to time. On one of the visits, this gentlemen asked me if I would be willing to go with him to a meeting on Saturday night.
Being the extremely intelligent individual I was, my best reasoning and logic deduced that we would be going to an Amway meeting; both my coworker and his friend were involved in Amway.
10 Years Later, I Was Ready
The gentlemen requested one thing, which was that I not consume any alcohol that day, I agreed. Well I did not go to an Amway meeting that fateful Saturday night, I ended up in an AA meeting with absolutely no idea of what was going on there.All I remember is that they were all sitting around tables drinking coffee and smoking cigarettes and sometimes laughing at what one another had said. Also, I remember some of "what it was like," I quickly identified out. All that being said, and being almost 30 years later, I have yet to forget what that man did for this alcoholic. It took some 10 more years for the AA antidote to take.
A Better Way of Life
Well today is quite a bit different than it was then. I know that I would not be sitting here today were it not for that man and many others along the way reaching out to help another alcoholic like me.To this alcoholic the 12th step embodies AA as a whole, without it we are surely doomed.
For a number of years working the steps and doing some service work helped this alcoholic to a better way of life (learning how to live one day at a time without a drink). At some point the service work began to decline and the steps stopped being as important, I stopped "living my way into a new way of thinking" and began trying to "think my way into a new way of living". I failed! The insanity of thinking a lot of alcohol would make it better returned. It did not! Again AA was there, the 12th step.
The Insanity Is Gone
What this alcoholic has come to believe is simply this: When I follow the 12 suggestions as if they were instructions given by the doctor to anyone that has a disease I am able to live my life one day at a time without a drink. And as a result of that my thinking changes, the insanity is gone. My human nature tells me its okay to skimp, omit or disregard something AA teaches me.Much like the person the goes to the doctor because his throat is sore, gets an antibiotic, takes it, begins to feel better and stops taking it, the sore throat returns even though the doctor instructed them to take the medicine until its gone. I guess that person has a sore throat mind? Or maybe they are just human.
Service Enriches My Life
Performing service work at any level allows for the continuation of the 12th step. I surely am grateful for all those whom went before me. As a district committee member, I am given the privilege and responsibility of serving the groups to the extent of carrying their collective consciences and being of assistance when asked. Having God direct the show sure makes it more enjoyable.Today having the privilege of service work enriches my life and hopefully allows the opportunity for continued growth.
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