LOVE WITHOUT STRINGS

Daily Reflections - SEPTEMBER 28

Practical  experience  shows  that  nothing  will  so  much insure immunity from drinking as intensive work with other alcoholics.
ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 89

Sponsorship held two surprises for me. First, that my sponsees cared about me. What I had thought was gratitude was more like love. They wanted me to be happy, to grow and remain sober. Knowing how they felt kept me from drinking more than once. Second, I discovered that I was able to love someone else responsibly, with respectful and genuine concern for that person's growth. Before that time, I had thought that my ability to care sincerely about another's well-being had atrophied from lack of use. To learn that I can love, without greed or anxiety, has been one  of  the  deepest  gifts  the  program  has  given  me. Gratitude for that gift has kept me sober many times.