balance, service...

I don't want to get into specifics here (I don't want this personal of a blog to show up on a search and "blow my cover" as an alcoholic), but I have to share a bit of this.

A service club I belong to is working on a very special project. I was asked to join this new project at its inception last fall and I did, hesitantly join the committee. I couldn't really say now. It is a project that benefits special needs kids and their families by connecting them with donated equipment and supplies, providing an informative website that has excellent content for treatment of and therapy for various different disabling conditions. We launched everything this past May and have begun raising funds for future projects, the primary project being the creation of a special needs accessible park/playground.

Well, this week, the committee selected the site from two local communities who have stepped up to donate land and site work. We pitched the project to the board and gained their approval. This morning we pitched the project to the club for their approval (this could possibly cost the club some big bucks, depending upon fundraising efforts and grants so we need the club's approval). After the presentation, the club voted 35-1 in favor of supporting and continuing on with the project. Needless to say, the committee is thrilled!

The committee chair has become a close friend through all of this and the experience has been so wonderful so far. We're touching lives all around our area, people and communities are already coming to gether and getting behind the project. I've never been a part of something like this and it just plain feels good to be doing something like this. And to think, I was almost "too busy" to help pitch in with the project. I am the "PR and marketing guy" and handle the media and so forth. It's a perfect fit for my skills so it's not hardly even like work. We're going to make so many special needs kids happy by giving them a safe, nice place to come play and experience a swing or a slide maybe for the first time ever. There isn't a playground/park like this within an hour or more drive from our community.

I have AA to thank for my willingness to just say yes to something bigger than me. AA taught me that when a hand reaches out, someone needs to be there. I've done my time serving AA in the service structure, I've started a meeting that has met for nearly 6 yrs, I've chaired countless meetings, sponsored guy, greeted newcomers and now I am giving and getting out of myself outside the rooms, like I should have been all along.

I don't write all this for any kinds of "attaboy" praise or credit. It's very important that recovering alcoholics and addicts know that service is essential when it comes to a quality, lasting sobriety. I believe that service to others (not only in AA) makes a HUGE difference in recovery and adds the necessary balance to a strong recovery. And as I've said before and will say again, I believe I owe.