Growth in the programs of AA, NA and OA is a process. It took a long time for many of us to make it into the rooms. Some of us were mandated to be there. Others were still using in the early days of attending meetings. After many struggles we finally put down our drug of choice. Perhaps we were surprised when an old timer told us that we were just at the beginning of our journey. Not drinking, drugging or binging did not mean we were truly sober. True sobriety was something that grew within us as we began to work the program. Meetings and having a sponsor were important elements which contributed to that growth. Our emotional sobriety really began to flourish as we seriously engaged in step work. For the first time in our lives, we honestly examined our character defects. Where necessary, we made amends to people we had harmed. Over time we deepened our relationship with our Higher Power. We called upon Him more and more as we admitted our ultimate powerlessness. Then one day after much work we began to truly understand the concept of “accepting the things we cannot not change”. In that moment we learned about serenity.

Personal Reflection: What helps contribute to my serenity?