I’m sitting here this morning concerned about my dog.  I never use to be concerned about anything but ME, much less a dog! I have decided to change my precious schedule and inconvenience myself by taking my dog with me to the gym. I want to walk her for thirty minutes before I go into the building for exercise and weights. She is not getting enough exercise to stay healthy and I am concerned because I love her.

This is amazing for me Mr. Selfish himself. Early in recovery I remember I wanted to get into a relationship with a young girl new in recovery. My sponsor told me I did not know how to love and further, probably neither did she. I told him we did. He didn’t say anything but the next day gave me a small plant to take home…

I said whats this? 

He said “ It’s a gift from me to you.” 

I thanked him and took it back to my apartment. One week later I was speaking to him about dating the girl again and he ask me …

“Hows the plant doing?” 

I said “It died.” 

He ask me “ Did you watered it.” 

I said “No” 

He said…” I rest my case.”

By God’s blessed Grace over sober time I have learned what real love is in recovery. I did not understand when I got here but thank God I do now. Listen to your sponsors with time, they usually know what their talking about and it’s true what they say about nee-bee’s. We are a lot sicker than we think we are. Time takes time. Be patient with yourself before you become one.