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Grateful for Alcoholics Anonymous

Today I find myself completely grateful for Alcoholics Anonymous because when I finally quit drinking I gained clarity, and that clarity gave me a gift. I started to think about what I wanted out of my life. I wanted to leave a legacy; to leave the world better than when I first entered it. I decided I wanted to pursue getting my book published, and when I did, I got a positive response. Now my book is in the layout/design phase of being published. I also started a non-profit art center to help people who have mental illness coming out of jail or prison. It's in the beginning stages of development, but I believe it will grow and be a positive addition to my city.

"AA is a fellowship of men and women who share their experience, strength and hope with each other that they may solve their common problem and help others to recover from alcoholism."(part of the AA preamble)

I'm grateful for the fellowship of AA. The people around the tables are my family. They encourage me to stay sober and give me a safe place to express my challenges and to share my experience, strength and hope when I'm happy and doing well. I look at AA as an incubator - a safe, warm place here I could grow stronger and develop into the person I want to be. And as I've gotten stronger, I could go out into the world and do something to make a difference. I feel like as long as I remain in AA and with my Higher Power (Jesus), I can do just that.

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