I recently returned from the Nashville Convention, where the speakers were hugely nourishing to my recovery. By God’s grace, I’ve been able to attend 25 SA international conventions. I’ve faithfully attended two conventions each year—because I need them! God has done for me what I could never have done for myself: He has kept me sober for 20 years. I’m forever grateful for the power of the SA program.

In January 2012, I served as program chair for the International Convention in Newark. We worked hard planning the breakout meetings, and by God’s grace members seemed to be blessed by them. I was honored to be able to finally give something back after so many years of receiving so much from conventions.

Whenever I’m at a convention, I take notes. Over the years I’ve compiled a list of insights I’ve gotten from listening to others share at conventions. These insights come from the speakers after meals, from breakout meetings, and from one-on-one conversations during the conventions.

I would like to share some of the wisdom I’ve gathered from conventions. Perhaps these thoughts can become seeds in others’ hearts, to grow and flower with time and cultivation. The seeds are slowly budding forth in my own heart, and I’m supremely grateful to all those members who uttered these words in my hearing. Words spoken at a convention seem to have lasting power for me.

• The bigger the problem, crisis, temptation, conflict, or chaos, the bigger the opportunity for growth.
• Small choices result in big changes in my life.
• God loves me so much He allowed me to have an addiction.
• I don’t need to feel bad about the bad stuff that goes through my mind.
• “I don’t have any insulation, and that’s okay.” (Roy K.)
• You become what you think about.
• I can be serene while feeling like “jumping out of my skin.”
• I never know when “suddenly” is coming my way.
• Every act of lust is an act of violence.
• I’m no longer a victim. I’m a volunteer.
• I am an egomaniac with an inferiority complex.
• My job is to find gratitude in a negative life situation.
• Observe the craving. Watch it pass.