When I was first introduced to SA several years ago, our group followed the literature, procedure, and sobriety definition as it stands in the white manual. I followed that wholeheartedly and, at times, even painfully. The result has been a long time sobriety.
Recently I celebrated two years of sobriety. So much has changed in my life over those two years. Perhaps the greatest gift I now enjoy is a wonderful sense of well-being. With an attitude of gratitude I will continue to do what is necessary to preserve this fragile gift of sobriety.
Coming out of my SA meeting last night, I felt like I never wanted to go back. I get this feeling again and again there. A spirit of temporizing, playing around with lust and masturbation. “But not to orgasm, mind you.” Of course…. (Yet there was one in the meeting who set his clock back for going to the kind of flesh flurry he used to go to!)
If we surrender, truly surrender, our will and our lives to the care of God as we understand Him, there are no specific guarantees. True surrender is unconditional—not dependent upon any particular outcome. For example, if I surrender in order to save my marriage and my marriage fails, do I then withdraw?
[The following is from a letter dated January 21, 1991 from the Boulder, CO Monday Night Meeting. They expressed the wish that “any or all of this letter be published in Essay.”]
…Our chapter is doing quite well, with over 30 active members and a weekly attendance of at least 16-20. Everyone finds support, encouragement, and hope through these meetings and the literature you have made available…
Roy K.’s 12 December 1990 letter to SA groups invited groups to respond to what he felt was SA’s interpretation of the sobriety definition:
To SA Everywhere, from SA Oklahoma City: How many ways can we say thank you for the conference? Or how do we love you for being there and being you? Let us count the ways.
The November 1990 German SA Newsletter has been translated into English. Copies are available free from the Central Office. Many thanks to the generosity of Gregory A. of Niagara, NY, who did the translation.
Overheard at the Baltimore Convention: “I have to let others in to make room for myself.”
