Keeping it simple
Dear Friends, As Dr. Bob layed there dying in his bed he said to Bill, "Let's not louse this thing up! Let's keep it simple!" This last month was a very
stressful one, but I kept it simple and I didn't have to drink! My girlfriend got pregnant, then 2 weeks later, she miscarried. She then left our house to
go to rehab for a pill addiction she had been hiding from me. I had no idea how I was going to pay the bills because work was so slow. I got my wisdom tooth
pulled. I had to study, create powerpoint presentations and take finals in my last semester of college. In the middle of all this chaos I had to entertain
my girlfriend's mom who came into town. I stopped smoking cigarettes after 16 years. Did I mention that I am a bartender? During this last month I must
have said the Serenity prayer a thousand times as I made drinks. I have to tell you that I did the next right thing and kept it simple. The "Big Book says,
"Faith without works is dead" well, works without faith is dead too! I doubled up on my meetings, stuck my hand out to every newcomer, prayed and meditated
more and even though I didn't think I was going to make it, everything worked out better than I expected! Thank God I belong to a beautiful fellowship where
I can go any time, any where and relate to and talk to anyone!. Thank God for my sponsor and sponsees. Thank God for my family and friends. Thank God for
the 12-steps. Prayer, Meditation, Service and Self-Examination is a beautiful combination! This holiday season I give my gratitude to God, as I understand
him, for he has given me grace and has taught me to love myself so I can in turn, love others. I give gratitude to Parker Valley Hope (5 years ago) for
showing me that there is a solution as long as I am willing to go to any lengths to get it! I give gratitude and my love to my family for whom I have made
amends to and for their forgiveness in return. I give gratitude for the 3 sponsors that I have learned so much from in the last 5 years. I am grateful to
my girlfriend who has helped to point out my defects when I was blind to them! Ha! Ha! I am forever grateful to Bill and Bob and the whole fellowship
of A.A.-Service, Recovery & Unity! Keep it simple!!! Go to Meetings, Take the 12 Steps, Trust God, Clean house and help others!!! If I can do it, so can
you! God Bless! Sincerely, Joseph
By: Joseph