My Support Forums - View Single Post - "Old-Timers" iin the Program

Leed · Sep 29, 2012, 05:20 AM

Days of Healing Days of Joy............................Sept. 29th

The winners in the program - how did they get to be the way they are?
..........................................................................Ivy B.

Within te program we come across some truly spectacular people - amazing people whose words seem to spring from a deep well of peace. Though their words are usually simple, their message is eloquent testimony to the profound difference between what their lives used to be and what they are now.

As careworn beginners on the path, we puzzle at their progress. Sure, most of them have practiced the program longer than we have. And obviously they've found something important, something we haven't yet found.

What isn't so obvious at first is that they've also lost something we haven't yet lost. They've let go of some illusion, some arrogance, some impertinence which we still cling to as legitimately ours, but which only sentences us to more time on the treadmill.

The words of those who have truly let go come forth as a blessing. Keep going. More will be revealed.
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Today, I thank God for the presence of my brothers and sisters in the fellowship who "keep coming back."

When I first joined AA I couldn't get over the so-called "old timers" who seemed so at peace, and calm. They acted like they didn't have a care in the world. I remember asking my counsin who had quite alot of time in the program "what is with them?" She said "they've surrendered." I didn't quite understand at that time being a newcomer. Later I would understand.

When we first enter the program there IS a lot of arrogance - perhaps thoughts that we can do this "standing on our head." We soon find that it is not as simple as we thought. We also don't know what the word "peace" really means and soon become envious of the old timers who possess it. I know I did. I'd never had any real peace in my life before.
I waited for more to be revealed and it was.