Reflecting On the Past Year
When someone turns one-year old—that is, reaching one full year of sobriety—he or she is full of joy and feels a sense of accomplishment for what has been achieved in the past year. Personally seeing friends who have made it to a year, with twinkles in their eyes as they go up to the front of the meeting and blow out the candle, is a truly amazing and motivational wonder. Now it is my turn to take a year cake.
This year has not been easy, by any means. I have had to overcome challenges that I never knew were possible to overcome. I have done a slew of work on myself, including improving my self-esteem, social skills, and—especially—anger management. I have the time and energy to carry out physical activities, such as playing hours of basketball every day, which I could not do while getting loaded.
However, along with the positive achievements I have made thus far, there are still quite a few flaws in my program that still need to be tweaked during my second year if I wish to stay sober. I have struggled with my attendance at A.A. meetings, and this specific part of my recovery needs to be improved indefinitely.
Making time for A.A.-related duties, such as meeting with and calling my sponsor on a consistent basis, is something I also need to work towards achieving. But as every person in the program says, it’s “progress rather than perfection,” and every day I see myself improving in these areas, getting closer to a healthier and happier life – which is what I’m ultimately striving for.
After a year, life is supposed to get “better” – and it has. But, for me, my life has really just begun. One year is a big deal but it’s only one out of what will hopefully be many more to come.
All I can say is to those of you who are doubting yourselves and don’t think you can make it to the big day where you’re getting your own one year cake at a meeting is this: just take it one day at a time and keep A.A. close to you.
Related posts:
Filed under: Life, Recovery · Tags: AA, Alcoholics Anonymous, sober, sobriety, staying sober
 |  |  |  |
Comments