Hi all! Peggy here, alcoholic, grateful to be sober, at a meeting, and to be of service today. I was so lost and desolate when I found the Fellowship of AA, it didn't take me long to latch on to the Steps. I needed a format for living. Mine had betrayed me. Alcohol was stronger than I, and when I finally accepted that, it was a relief to have a road map to follow. Working the Steps with a sponsor gave me a sense of security, a sense of direction. And that was quite comforting - and somewhat self-containing, which I needed at the time, because I was a "drama queen." The more drama, the better was my motto. But that type of lifestyle didn't match up with what I found in the rooms of AA. I learned that often less was more, and 'normalcy' was a good thing. So, with the Steps, I became more 'moldable' - more open to changing things about myself that would support my sobriety - not just a 'dry drunk' way of lie. And the Traditions offered me security, as well. They seemed to calm my fears. They told me what AA was about - its roots - and its foundation. I knew that no one was in charge, that there was one ultimate authority - a God of my understanding. When someone spoke at a meeting, it was simply their opinion, neither right nor wrong - just an opinion, and keeping the focus on the Fellowship without any "outside issues" entering the rooms. I quickly learned what AA was about. I knew that the Traditions were what allowed AA to work. I knew that the Steps were how it worked and the Traditions were why it worked. Coming from chaos into any group is a bit daunting. But after giving up - or surrendering, if you will - to my alcoholism, I found great comfort in knowing that most folks in the rooms were on the same page. In a sense, all conforming to sobriety, to fellowship, to honesty, to reaching out their hands, not judging, merely sharing their ow experience, strength and hope. This is what I needed when I entered the rooms and I'm glad I found it, because I don't know if I would have stayed if things were forced down my throat. I needed to be shown by example of how the Fellowship was helpful to others. In that non-threatening environment, my own sobriety began to take root, and I learned that conforming to the AA way was not a sign of weakness, but one of strength. Thank you for listening and keeping me sober another day.

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