Thank you to those who have written and told us your stories so far. I think I’m finally starting to get it. I’m starting to get AA, and the steps, and why it works. You can find the answer in why people keep going regularly to meetings, sometimes multiple meetings a day, even after years and years of sobriety.
They go because they feel safe.
I have heard this from virtually everybody in AA. Their safest place is at the meeting. At the meeting is the only place they are free from temptation to give in to their addiction, so if they are feeling particularly pressed, they get to the nearest meeting.
They go because they feel useful.
One of our readers writes: “I go to meetings to meet the newcomer — the new person that is going to walk through the door, with that deer-in-the-headlights look. I love to welcome them and give them the 6 magic words: ‘You are going to be alright.’” This is truly grace turned outward.
They go because they are working on their lives in an environment where everyone else is doing the same thing.
Someone recently told me, “No one makes you do anything. You do everything on your own free will.” That’s freeing, and it’s also encouraging. It makes you want to work on yourself.
They go because they feel empowered.
This is the power of God. This is what happens when you give up. You surrender your life to God and you discover His Spirit is there to give you what you need to follow Him.
They go because whatever happens, there’s always the next meeting.
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