My name is Sherry and I am an alcoholic.

Over the past fourteen months, I've had time to reflect on what it means to be a newcomer and what it took for me, as a beginner, to be "willing." When I first started going to AA, I realized I had to be willing and open to new ideas and concepts. Willing to listen to other people and take direction ... foreign concepts to me. Willing to admit I was powerless over alcohol. And willing ... if only a mustard seed's worth ... to be open to faith, or the possibility there might be Something that really does govern the universe and me. Willing to ask for help when I needed it, and willing to make time to go to meetings (I always had time to drink). Willing ... just a bit ... to change my attitude if I wanted to change my life. It really is a good life now, although I wanted to end it at one point in the past. I wish now I'd have come into AA sooner. I am making new and lasting friendships, and learning again (maybe for the first time) how to interact with society without alcohol. It's great to not have to say I'm sorry all the time for things I had no clue I did. Being an active, sober, spiritual partner in the universe is worth the amount of effort it takes. And for you agnostics (as I was), here's a thought to ponder that helped me with the "God" thing ... the difference between religion and spirituality is that religious concepts are trying to provide a means of avoiding hell, and spirituality is for people who have been to hell and don't want to go back! AA is a spiritual program and if you can be just a little willing to give it a try, I assure you the Big Book promises really do come true.