My name is Janie, and I am a grateful alcoholic.

I was recently trained to chair online meetings. After I was trained, I didn't sign up for a good while because I was afraid to. I was encouraged by e-mail, and finally got honest as to why I didn't. We all know, "a burden shared is half the burden, and a joy shared is twice the joy." Mostly, it is the commitment that scares me. It means I have to be responsible. I have to be somewhere at a certain time. Well, it was shared with me that being of service is an act of spirituality. I don't yet understand that. We all know that we first take an action and then the awakening comes. I am waiting to be awakened to the spiritual angle of service. Fear is a thief, and I do not want anything to steal the joy of my recovery. I want all that God has to offer me in recovery. I do know that by chairing, other doors will be opened to me. I want to walk wherever God wants me to walk ... in these rooms, and in other places as well. God has a plan for us, and we need to be willing to get out of our own comfort zones to be in His plan. I am willing and ready to grow and to do differently. I don't want to stay on a plateau. I must go forward or I will go backward. I know this ... have reached a place like this many times in sobriety. Thanks for letting me share.

- Janie