YOU CAN ADD TIME
BUT NO DISTANCE
Shortly after passing my first ninety days of continuous sobriety I made a big mistake. During a break in our Thursday Step Study meeting, I told my sponsor, Joe C., how glad I was to get those three months under my belt. "It gives me a feeling of security," I said. "Now I can relax!"
His response was far from the expected pat on the back. "Oh yeah," he growled, while reaching across the table to grasp my cup of coffee. "Look at this; a thirty-five inch reach. Before AA, that was exactly how far I had to stretch for a drink. And today, after seven years in the program, it's still a thirty-five inch reach!"
He continued, "Time in AA is a power of example to others. But don't yourself too seriously. You can add time but no distance. Remember--that next drink is always an arm's length away!"
Jim E., January 97, PO BOX 1980