I love that analogy! I, too, have Love-based recovery or Sobriety as opposed to the fear-based sobriety I started out with. Today, I am grateful for the fear-based beginning because without I could never have found the love-based kind. You see, I was a Love cripple. I did not know how to give or receive Love. Not from God and not from anyone. I was too selfish and self-centered. Love is unselfish and unconditional. I had conditions of all kinds for any kindness or charity that I was willing to extend. And I was sure so did everyone else including God.

I began to stay sober because I was afraid of the consequences. I still really wanted the lust and good feelings that came from the misconnection. I did not want to part with my selfish partner “Lust.” I wanted to be free from the compulsion and unmanageable problems connected with the misconnection. My connections were selfish, physical demands. The other person’s welfare or happiness was not as important as mine. That was the Love cripple I was. I did not know how to give. I was attracted to others who were just as selfish as me.

In recovery I have learned through being in service and giving of myself to the Group as a whole. I was still too selfish to give to any individuals who I thought were less than me. However, it was through giving of myself that I began to get respect and unconditional Love from others. I learned how to change within these rooms of recovery. Today I love what I am getting from giving instead of taking. And I am grateful for my Positive sobriety today.