Early in my sobriety, I wanted freedom, peace and happiness now. What is the talk about an afterlife all about; about better things to come; the philosophy that this life is a preparation for the next dimension? Reading through the Steps, I was confused. The promises are for today and the hereafter. Who cares about the hereafter? I need freedom now.
I called Stan Grant to talk about it, and he laughed and said, “Steve, no one really knows about the afterlife. What are you worrying about? You love to borrow trouble. Just focus on being the best Steve you can be today and let all the rest go! Look where you've been brought. It's just for today. I’ll see you at the meeting tonight; I’m at work and have to go. Bye.” Then, he hung up!
It was just enough to help me turn over my doubts and fears about the future; I had enough in front of me just for that day.
Yesterday morning, driving to Crossroads Chandler to meet my friend Scott C., I let the GPS guide me, and arrived early. Right away, it was obvious I was not in Scottsdale. Most of the population was tatted up head to toe, carryover from incarceration, badly burnt from a drug and alcohol fueled life. More proof, like my own experience, that it doesn't end well.
I met my friend, walked into the meeting; the speaker, TJ, was one of the best I’d heard in a long time. After countless attempts to get sober for over 25 years, he now had 9 years, was married for 5 & his biggest love was for sobriety, his wife and their daughter!
All of a sudden, it was a Scottsdale story; the miracles that happen do not have a zip code or $$$ sign. Even though we are people who normally would not mix, I was in the right place. And Scott, another fallen alcoholic, was also deeply moved. Afterwards, we stood around talking, and the similarities continued. Our sensitivities to life, to people’s reactions were all triggers that used to lead us to drink & use. Reassured that the journey in recovery continues to get better, no matter where I go for meetings, I left feeling safe, protected and inspired in the now; and most important, to leave all of the rest in God’s hands.
Later, at the 5pm Hogan's Heroes meeting in the heart of Paradise Valley, upscale cookies, pastries and coffee creamers were laid out on the tables. The stories of despair to freedom were the same, as was the menu of solutions offered earlier; my friend Rickey got a 30-day chip, and we met for dinner afterwards at OHSO on Indian School Rd. What a day it was.
You told me not to borrow trouble; when I remember first things first & to use 12 Steps to Ride the Waves, it all works out.
Thank you; “go back Jack, let’s do it again!”
