The ending of the AA Preamble states “Our primary purpose is to stay sober and help other alcoholics to achieve sobriety.” You may think that this is either too much to accomplish so early in your sobriety or you may think that you don’t have a clue as to how you may accomplish all of this, even though you want to so much. Once again, this is a very simple program for very complicated folks.
We have possibly spent a lifetime complicating everything by trying to figure out just how it works. Well, let me set one thing straight right now! The answer to how does it work is simply “Very well, thank you.” And, our primary purpose is to stay sober. There is absolutely no reason to try to delve deeper into it. I don’t need to have an explanation of how it works. I just use it and enjoy life. Getting sober is not easy but it is very simple — don’t drink, go to meetings, and get a sponsor.
When doing this, it is much simpler to work the program. And working the program is simplified, too. How do I know if I am working my program? I feel good about myself. Meaning that I feel good about my motivation, whatever it is at the time. If it is a difficult situation, I am not stressed. If it involves anything different at all, just try to do the next right thing. Before doing anything, just say “God. help me,” and then get out of His way and let him. How do you know if the thing is right or not? If it feels good, do it. If there are any apprehensions at all, hold back and think about them before acting.
The difficult part of this is that we have reacted to cause and effect situations most of our lives before so now thinking first is an entirely new venture. How do we help other alcoholics to achieve their sobriety? We show them what we have done. Notice I did not say just tell them how we have recovered and that it is there for them to take. There — staying sober and helping other alcoholics in simple terms. Now, take it and run with it. Soon you will realize how truly blessed you are to have the motivation to stay sober. I have and it just keeps on getting better. That is not just a saying, it is how I really feel. Just when I think things couldn’t get any better, BAM — they do! God bless you!
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