Dear Readers,
Last Friday, I went with some women from my AA group to conduct a meeting in a treatment center. It was a small meeting, a total of about ten or so.
We read a story from the AA Big Book, and then shared our thoughts about the reading.
When it came to my turn, I ended up telling a little bit of my story and how I ended up where I had.
At first I wondered if anyone would connect to my story, and then I thought, it’s not about how we are different.
It’s how we are alike in our human condition. When I listened to all the women, I heard our hopes, fears, happiness, and sadness. We all started out as vulnerable little children, many of us with hard childhoods. Some of us came from rich families, others were poor. Some of us had children, boyfriends, husbands, others not.
If I only look at other addicts as how they are different compared to me, I am setting up a judgement, a dividing line, that I am better or worse than they are for one reason or another.
All of us are human, and being humans we struggle.
Being humans, we make mistakes.
Perhaps one thing I said helped someone.
I don’t know.
I do know I was helped.
I was helped by seeing all I needed to do was be present, share and listen.
I didn’t need to be anything more or less than human.
Untipsyteacher 
Hi Wendythat is wicked that you are reaching out to others. that is good for our soul. you are wonderful. thank you for doing that from 'all of us addicts'.love from Lisa
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Hi Lisa!Mostly I sit around reading all day!But it was a good feeling to try and help another person.XO
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Hey,You had helped me.Jackie
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Hi Jackie!!Hugs!!
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I'm sure you helped. Sharing our stories is a blessing.
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Being present and accepting yourself and everyone else sounds like it's a great blessing for everyone involved. For me, I'm awfully glad you're part of this big ongoing conversation. xo
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Dear Anne,I know I am still learning from everyone! xo
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Dear Thirsty,Thank you! It is a big conversation all around the world! xo
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It's awesome that you're reaching out and sharing with others who are struggling. Your posts have certainly helped me! Lori K
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Hi Wendy, it's great you are helping others, and it's helping you in return. 235 days is awesome! A x
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Hi Lori!Thank you! Way to go on almost a year!!!xo
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Thank you, Angie!
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Inspirational. It is great that you are reaching out to other people. I am still working on calm and stable… and I still fail. Most of the time. I am working on it since November of last year. On and off…on and off… People , who don't have this problem, just don't know how hard it is to stop drinking, change yourself, your behavior and way of thinking.
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Dear Time,It's very hard.I am glad you are not giving up on yourself!XO
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