Hi, my name is Scott W. and I am an alcoholic.
I grabbed my mail today from my mailbox and I found a hand-written note on school-lined paper folded in fourths. There was no envelope with it, no recipient name listed, no return address given and no explanation at all!
NOTHING, except the nine items listed below. WOW! It was so beautiful, did this belong to someone? Was it put in the wrong mailbox? If it belonged to someone, who? Was it left for me? I had so many questions and so few answers. That statement I actually said out loud and it reminded me of my first year with our fellowship.
Who was this left for? Was it me? Why? Maybe a better question to ask would be why not me? I know for myself I am at my best when I am of service to my fellow man. With Covid going on, what could I possibly do? Who could I help? Several years ago I personally wrote a set of core values for myself. Just like a business might do. I wanted others to know who I was and what I stood for.
One of my core values is When there is a hand extended in need of help, I must extend mine and freely give what help I can. Was this note that hand? How can I help?
I received a request from a friend of mine; he is the editor of a beautiful publication in our fellowship and he asked me if I might write something that may give help to others who are struggling during this time with alcoholism. Tears flowed freely from my eyes down my cheeks and I responded that of course I would love to. Yes, it was a hand. I would like to share the nine items that were listed on that piece of paper I found in my mailbox with you and I pray that it may give you the same comfort that it did me:
- The Earth is our Mother, care for her
- Honor all relationships that you experience
- Open your heart and your soul to the universal spirit
- All life is sacred, treat each person you contact with respect
- Take from this Earth what you need and nothing more
- Do what needs to be done, for the good of ALL
- Give thanks for each new day
- Speak the truth, but only of the good in others
- Follow the rhythm of this Earth, rise and retire with her star
I know now why it was left in my mailbox. Thank you for letting me share it with you. I pray that God will be with our fellowship, and that we will continue to serve others in need! And that one day at a time God will continue to help us grow in our sobriety. Amen.
I send to you All of my Love and Hope for better days ahead for those who call our fellowship home, and those that may find us in the future.
-Scott W.