Four years ago today I walked back in the front door of the Lambda Center. As I stepped onto the welcome mat I knew it was all over. Surrender. It was the start of my new life as a sober man.
I had the privilege last night of celebrating with the other November celebrants, our own Peanut included (she has 10 years!). I got to share that I am grateful to have gotten sober during November, the gratitude month. Gratitude has served as one of the main pillars of my program of recovery. I only pray prayers of gratitude. I never ask, because my experience has shown that I have been given all I need for fifty-three years, and I know I am cared for by a loving Higher Power. And I do not want the experience of need or want. I want the experience of having--that even before I would ask, God has given. Because I have developed the faith and trust that all is as it should be, I have no fear of tomorrow and I have the knowledge that I will have what I need.
My program of recovery has provided me with the freedom to do what I need to protect my sobriety first, and my serenity second. My serenity is second only to my sobriety.
Today if I am asked what I do, I say "I am an artist." And I know that is not a lie. I also know I am deserving of that title, one of which I used to think I was unworthy. My dream is coming true with my scheduled gallery showing in January 2008.
Yesterday my sponsor (I have the best sponsor in the world!) and I studied the 9th Tradition of our beautiful program. Here is what struck me:
Unless each AA member follows to the best of his ability our suggested Twelve Steps to recovery, he almost certainly signs his own death warrant. His drunkenness and dissolution are not penalties inflicted by people in authority; they result from his personal disobedience to spiritual principles.
Se we of AA do obey spiritual principles, first because we must, and ultimately because we love the kind of life such obedience brings. Great suffering and great love are AA's disciplinarians; we need no others. `p. 175, 12 & 12
I have received well wishes from loved ones and strangers alike. Some coming as far away as Sweden. Thank you to all who have gone before me, walked beside me and share with me the life fulfilling program of Alcoholics Anonymous.
14 comments:
Happy Birthday my friend. I am so grateful we get to share this sober sphere. I count meeting you as one of the highlights of 2007. I love you Scott.
That's a beautiful button, Mister Man!
Mary Christine has said exactly what I feel, so I'll just say Thank You to Mary Christine and "ditto."
I am so proud FOR you.
On a selfish note...I NEED you to stay sober. I need to have you as a friend in my life today. I count on your blog every morning, and your insight on mine. I count on off line emails when something is going on with me. So you see mi amigo, your sobriety is all about me, and the joy you have brought to my life...thru your art, your wisdom and your humor.
Happy Birthday Scott!
Thanks for being an example.
Happy 4th birthday Scott! Your blog and your art inspire me.
Happy Birthday So
I love you
So
Happy Birthday
Happy Birthday
Happy Birthday
Happy Birthday....
Oh, and what everyone else said too- I love ya Scott!
Congrats, Pal!
Happy Happy Day from your sober sis up in Maine( where we have no lambda meetings! ) I am originally from Houston,and will be passing thru on my way to family in Nacogdoches tomorrow. Thanks so much for being a sober cyber connection. Blessings!!
Congratulations on your 4 years of sobriety. I enjoy reading your comments on MC's and others blogs and just wanted to wish you well. It's a big deal for me to learn from others like you. Thanks.
Yes, I like it !!
4 years, way to go Scott.
Ilove you, I love you, I love you.
you are amazing, i like it when you share from your heart :)
happy 4th to you!
Happy Birthday...:)
Happy re-birthday! :-)
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