An inside Job
' The Program Is An Inside Job '
I wrote this in April of '06
I believe the program is an inside job.
When I refer to 'The Program',
I am meaning the 12 steps of recovery from Alcoholism and Drugs.
I stopped drinking and using drugs in 1995. I got help through the 12 steps of recovery for alcoholism.
I went to many meetings to help me in my recovery, it helped me to meet the right people to help me take the steps as my sponsor told me, once I get into the program it was all up to me how I live my life, it is my choice.
Taking the steps is the program not the meetings not the fellowship.
It is an inside job. When I got honest with myself and with another person then I was in recovery from my addiction with alcohol and drugs.
That is how I soared like an eagle.
That is to say after I took the steps with my sponsor and got a foundation she kicked me out of the nest like a little bird so I can fly on my own.
She told me now you are to take what you have learned and take them into your life, meaning taking the steps into my daily life and share with others. Sharing with others is like planting seeds that was the legacy my sponsor gave me before she died.
She shared with me and planted a seed in me, so then it was up to me and God to keep the seed growing.
It is my duty to share what my sponsor told me to all who will listen. What she taught me and what she showed me through her actions in living life sober is this I have to totally surrender in order to be free.
Surrendering is letting go of everything: Alcohol people, places and things. Don't get me wrong, I do not mean to sit on my tush all day.
What I mean is that there are certain things I have to do to take care of myself, and be responsible.
I have to be there for people, if I say I will be somewhere I better be there, if I make a commitment I better show up.
If I want a job I better look for the job, God takes care of us but we have to also do some footwork. I have learned I cannot change anyone but myself.
I am the problem my thinking is the problem.
If I am trying to work on someone else, all I am doing is running from myself. Helping someone is one thing but trying to change someone and not helping ourselves is when we get into trouble. That is not easy for me, because I seem to like to be in charge.
I like things to go my way, but it does not always work out that way.
I have realized most things are none of my business because I came to the realization I cannot get into other people’s problems.
I believe nothing changes if nothing changes. I have come to the realization that life is how I react to it. I can enjoy it, or I can destroy it.
It is up to me as to how I react to the experiences that happen in my life. I learned the hard way, now I choose to take an easier way.
That is staying out of God’s way.
Copyright © 2006 by Angela Contreras
To read more about my life in recovery.
I invite you to visit me click on this link it will take you to 21 chpaters of my story written in book form.
http://www.authorsden.com/visit/viewarticle.asp?id=28341
By AngelaContreras
© 2008 AngelaContreras
(All rights reserved)
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