Today - July 2nd, 2020 - is my 10 years. So, I figured I'd share a longer version of my experience, strength, and hope. Because it's totally bananas that I've been sober this long.

When I was trying to get sober I was really focused on being the person that I thought other people wanted me to be. The longer I stay sober, the more I'm able to be the person that I am -- and to like that person a lot. Daily Reflection for July 2nd.

While some amends require immediate correction or restitution, a lot of amends take the form of changes to the way we act on an ongoing, daily basis. And my living amends to myself means taking care of myself - but sometimes I need the reminder of that framework to motivate myself. 12x12 page 83.

Looking at the areas of my life where I'm biased and unreasonable about stuff - not just about God and spirituality. Like, maybe other people can have ideas and values that are different from mine and not be wrong! How novel. Big Book pages 51-52.

Working with others is our way of staying sober a day at a time. And we can't keep anybody else sober, no matter how much we want it for them. Which sucks sometimes. Big Book pages 95-96.

My drinking stemmed from a deep and pervasive soul-sickness -- that I wasn't really aware of until I got sober and could see how bad things had been. The good news is that most days, I'm not stuck in it anymore! 12x12 pages 44-45.

Service and working with others has to be an ongoing, frequent part of my recovery. It's an opportunity to set aside my wants and show up for somebody else and practice being the person I want to be in sobriety. Big Book page 97.

Step six is all about asking myself honestly how willing I am to give things over. And the reality is that I'm not always willing. And I might not even be willing to be willing. I'm gonna keep doing stuff until I'm done, even if I'm frustrated with myself about it. Step By Step page 62.

Self will is when I start arguing with reality, and sometimes reality is telling me to slow the eff down. And relax. And take it easy. And be present for what's in front of me. Living Sober pages 43-44.

We don't have to know *how* to turn our will over to our Higher Power, we just have to be willing to try. I tend to forget that. But when I do make some sort of effort, it helps me get out of the problem and into more constructive thinking. Little Red Book 34-35.