IT'S WHAT HAPPENS
IN BETWEEN MEETINGS
Sure meetings are important. Sure, reading the Big Book is important. Sure, getting a sponsor is important.
But, what the old-timers told me was that most important of all is how I live in between the meetings. They said it's easy to be a nice guy at meetings but how do I act at home? How do I treat my wife and kids? How do I act at work?
They said the spiritual life is not theory; I have to live it. And that means practicing the principles of AA in all my affairs.
What an order! I don't' know if I can go through with it. But, fortunately the old-timers added that Step Twelve says we try to practice the principles in all our affairs, which leaves me a loophole. All I have to do then, is try and leave the results up to my Higher Power.
These old-timers insisted that even though I feel much better when I go to a meeting, this is not enough. Sobriety, they said, had very little to do with feelings. They said action is the magic word and the action that really counts takes place between meetings.
They said the Twelve Steps are a plan for living, not just for discussion. They suggested I learn to walk the walk, not just talk the talk.
Only by trying to carry the message and trying to practice the principles can I grow in sobriety and enjoy the Promises.
Like a juicy cheeseburger, it's what's in between that counts!
Stepping Stones To Recovery, page 141