When I came into the program of AA, I was physically, morally, and spiritually bankrupt. I didn’t know what was wrong. I only knew something was seriously wrong in my life. Nothing seemed to work right.
I first heard what was being said in AA. Actually saw people who I knew from when we used to drink and fight together. They were smiling, laughing, and seemingly enjoying life! I knew that was what I wanted! Heard early, in the second paragraph of How it Works, “If you want what we have and are willing to go to any lengths to get it.” I was willing to go to any lengths to get what they had! I was told “COD.” Come on down.
Wanted it badly and was willing to go to ANY lengths. Some of the formerly meanest dudes in Detroit told me to sit down, shut up, and listen. For some reason, I sat down, shut up, and listened. Then they told me and showed me how it could be mine. This spiritual, not religious, program could and would change my life. But only if I let it. Having an addictive persona, I wanted it badly. I jumped in with both feet. I was ready, able and willing to do ANYTHING! Anything that would help me get rid of the insane thoughts that I constantly had. I used the shortened version of the 3rd Step a lot. This is simply saying “God help me.” Then getting out of His way and letting Him.
These people became my sponsors. They then told me that, to make it easier, all I had to do was fake it until I made it. With no prior religious or spiritual experience, I was like a thirsty, dry sponge just waiting for the moisture of hope to flood me. The hope turned into results that I no longer have to fake. I don’t have to only think that it works because I now know it works. I’m not in the same spiritual and mental desert that I was. I am not the same person that I was.
Today I am Happy, Joyous, and Free and am willing to go to any lengths to keep it. To keep it, I give as much away as I can for others who want it, too. I only hope that you can find it works as much and more for you.
This is what Spirituality has done and continues to do for me. God bless you all!
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More can be found on our other pages. We have an AA Zoom meeting, blogs, and a podcast. Also our Facebook page. They are updated regularly. We hope that you will join us on these sites. And please comment so that we can share with each other our experiences, strengths, and hopes. The Zoom meeting is every Monday through Friday, 3:00 PM EST. Meeting ID is 6035280704. Password 399778. It is simple to locate the blogs and Facebook pages. Just search @Spiritualityandrecovery. For the podcast, search Spotify.com for Spiritualityandrecovery. On iPhone say “Hey Siri, Play the podcast Spiritualityandrecovery.” Or, on Android “Hey, Google. Play the Jim Boylan podcast.”
