In the run up to Christmas, I’ve been choosing presents for family and friends and some of them have been asking me if there is anything special I’d like. I find this quite hard to answer, because I’ve already been given some of the greatest gifts of all - my sobriety and a life that’s second to none. They are new every day of the year not just on Christmas Day. It’s often said that the greatest gift is to the giver - and I’ve certainly found that to be true. Since I’ve been in AA, I’ve found that the more I’ve been involved with the Fellowship, the more I’ve been able to offer. What I’ve received in return has been amazing!! This of course is strange because anything I’ve done, I’ve really done for myself. I’m in a group and responsible with my fellow group members for having our meeting open to welcome old and new friends alike and the still suffering alcoholic. Through this I’ve received the gifts of being able to be responsible and of being able to make new friends (something I couldn’t keep in the past). I have people I trust with whom I can share. I see newcomers that I’ve had the privilege of helping start to grow in sobriety and confidence. I’ve learned through being sponsored how to sponsor others and the gifts I’ve received from this are patience, tolerance, acceptance, how to keep a confidence and how to listen to the experiences of others and not judge them. This in turn has allowed me to have relationships with family and friends and not to destroy them with the jealous nasty tongue I had before I started the Programme of Recovery. Being in Service taught me that I can’t always have my own way, that sometimes I have to concede to others or agree to disagree but remain friends with them. What growth! Through applying the Programme, I’ve been able to clear away the wreckage of the past, make amends and build loving relationships with my family who want to spend time with me. I’ve lost fear and insecurity through developing a new understanding (concept) of a Higher Power to guide me in my daily life. What more can a girl ask for? Not much eh? Maybe just a happy, peaceful and sober Christmas with family that at one time I didn’t deserve, but do now because of this Fellowship, the Programme of Recovery and my Higher Power. Sometimes I’m just not grateful enough for these gifts. - but I am just now - at present. So I’m learning not to live in yesterday or tomorrow but in the present and to make the most of it - to make it the Precious Present - the greatest gift of all. I wish everyone a Happy Christmas and pray that the gift we all get will be The Precious Present.
Anne B,
Knightswood Tuesday