"Hear---Here"

The day concluded with the Sunday evening Gamblers Anonymous meeting. Yes, I had a full “GA” Day yesterday but my commitment is to the meeting last evening and I continue to honor my commitment. As usual I was very happy I attended and there were the “usual suspects” in attendance which is why the program works as well as it does. It was no surprise that these “usual suspects” were in attendance and I can’t say enough about the GA Program and how much it continues to add to my life. Yes, I probably could have stayed home last night and no one would have been the wiser but I would have been the lesser had I not attended.

There is a saying in GA; “Who you see here, What you hear here, When you leave here let it stay here, Here Here!!” This is all part of the anonymity of the program making everyone feel safe when they enter the rooms. I often think that some of what is said in the meeting should be shared with everyone because it really is important. I have been to my share of therapists over the years starting at the age of 18; however; this is the best therapy I have ever experienced and much less expensive I may add!! I never know what anyone is going to say and this is the best part because I get to listen and many times there is so much more “others” helping which makes recovery very special. Recovery is very special and continues to save my life each and every day.

I made my way home from the meeting and as I went home I decided to stop off at our dear friend’s restaurant to pick up a pizza. This would be our dinner yesterday evening and as always it was great to see my dear friend. I don’t know what it would have been like if I had to move to an area without this much support. I owe everything in my life to my family, friends, GA, and my Higher Power. I don’t give my Higher Power enough credit and I should. There is a Plan and fortunately this Plan is amazing. The evening went by so quickly and yes, another weekend would close.

This morning was the beginning of the work week and I had an appointment fairly far away. I made my way to the gym where I would follow the training program once again. Last week I went off “script” but have returned to the regime. I could feel that my legs were getting a bit tired so it was good to do less running today as opposed to last week. I was able to get in the usual workout and yes, finally the showers were working at the gym. The gym is falling apart and I don’t know how much longer it can stay in business (hopefully at least until March when my membership expires); however; I do feel some sense of obligation as I have a great deal of history with this particular gym. Anyhow I was able to shower and forego the sweaty mess of myself entering the car!

I made my way to the appointment and it was a lunch appointment. I was meeting with a person from a fellow recovery center. This recovery center services a much higher level of clientele than our recovery center. I was reaching out to see if we could do some type of mutual referrals. This is the bread and butter of my job and I am much better at the one on one appointment as opposed to the group appointment. I prefer these settings and as long as I am able to order something off the menu (which is difficult for my picky eating habits!) everything would be great. I did scope out the menu online prior to departing and much to my surprise there were a few options for my picky taste buds.

I was able to order and we had a fantastic meeting. The meeting lasted much longer than I anticipated and we covered a gamut of subjects. Of course the main subject was recovery and this person was a trained professional in the field of addiction and I was fascinated. I am able to listen and the subject matter was wonderful. I did tell my story and my story does have certain levels. I don’t like to tell the entire story when I first meet a person but today I went much further than in previous first meetings. I was able to accomplish what I set out to do and I did make an important contact today.

The person I met with was basically a total stranger but miracles do happen in recovery as the meeting concluded with a hug. Life is all about personal connections and today there was a connection. Whether this connection leads to more business I have no idea but the Plan was working today and I was following. I had a great time and this is a far cry from the times I would sit in my office and have a million things on my brain and losing tract of myself. Thankfully I continue to find myself and in the process I am finding amazing people every step of the way.