Today I am ready to go to any lengths to stay sober.
"Any lengths?" newcomers ask. "What do you mean, any lengths?" Looking back at our active drinking and the lengths we were willing to go to in order to stay drunk can help to explain. Were we willing to drive many miles to get alcohol? Yes, we usually were. Then it makes sense that, if we are as concerned about staying sober as we were about drinking, we will try anything to find a ride to a meeting.
In our alcoholism, didn't we often do crazy, insane things or drink crazy drinks at the direction of others? Then why do we often find it so hard to take direction in recovery, especially when the direction is designed to help us grow? And when we drank didn't we often, in desperation, turn to our Higher Power, saying, "Please, just get me out of this one!" Then why do we find it so hard to ask for God's help in our recovery?
When we drank, we usually had an open mind when it came to finding ways and means to get more alcohol. If we can apply this same principle of open-mindedness to our recovery, we may surprise ourselves by how easily we begin to grasp the recovery program. Our best thinking, it is often said, got us into the rooms of recovery. If we are willing to go to any lengths, follow directions, and stay open-minded, we can stay sober.
Just for Today: I am willing to go to any lengths to stay sober. I will become as open-minded and ready to take direction as I need to be.