One of my favorite phrases from the program is, “Without help it is too much for us.”, found in Chapter 5; How It Works.

I need to be told and retold that it’s OK to reach out for help, and in fact it’s an integral part of the program. Left to my own devices, I feel separate from others, that I don’t belong, and that no one could possibly understand what I’m going through.

That is the crux of my disease.

Reaching out and finding that I am not alone, and I am part of something bigger than myself, has been one of the most healing aspects of my journey. My default thinking tells me I’m bothering people, but I am reminded that if we’re working the program then that includes the 12th step; to be of service to others. For me, it is such an important reminder to be told in almost every meeting that “Without help it is too much for us.”

Today, I lost my AirPods on a long walk I took in the morning, and while I was pissed off with this first world problem, a fellow called who is suffering during this pandemic with being stuck at home. Immediately I noticed how my anger and frustration fell away at the loss of my AirPods as I listened to their struggle.

So, please, reach out! I’m here to listen, and if I can’t take the call right away, I will call you back!

Margaret