Today's Daily Reflection is called UNITED WE STAND:
"We learned that we had to fully concede to our innermost selves that
we were alcoholics. This is the first step in recovery. The
delusion that we are like other people, or presently may be, has to
be smashed.
Alcoholics Anonymous, p. 30"

To me it's a reminder that my seat in the rooms of Alcoholics
Anonymous has been earned. My drunk-a-log is a textbook perfect
example of someone that needs recovery in the form of AA. Past
situations, actions, and consequences that are part of my story
would never have happened were it not for that damn drink. Thank God
my Higher Power helped me initially get the help I need after my
final, deepest and darkest rock bottom.

WE - none of us - not you, not me, not anyone that has gotten
truthful enough about being an alcoholic, can do this alone. We need
to listen and identify with each others stories. By recognizing the
fact that we are unlike other people is the first step toward
prolonged, successful and HAPPY sobriety.

We also need to remember that should we ever think we are "cured",
the next part of this reading is very meaningful:
"We are like men who have lost our legs, we never grew new ones".
Another analogy that reminds me I am alcoholic and cannot ever drink
like other people is: "Once you are a pickle, you can never go back
to being a cucumber".

I choose to look at my life as a book. The chapters are clearly
divided - my life before I picked up that first drink, the middle
part of the horror story thru active addiction, and what it's like
now. Tomorrow's pages have not yet been written - but by doing the
next right thing, hopefully the "reader" will be impressed and
inspired about my dramatic change. I can say for today, I am happy
with who I am and that I can smile when I look at myself in the
mirror.

Anyway, another day at work - another cup of coffee - another sober
24 ahead of me, by the grace of God. Have a wonderful Thursday!


Jonathan, Alcoholic from New Jersey