Gaps between words are important; the meaning is dramatically affected.
This is true for our program. Let me share some examples.
A Part
A part – Apart. In one there is a gap, in the other there is not. The meaning changes completely with the gap.
Before I discovered the Program of AA and our spiritual life, I was apart. I was apart from the world, apart from my family, apart from myself in many ways. I was apart.
As I have discovered spirituality and progressed along spiritual lines, I have increasingly become a part of something. I was a part of AA, then I was part of a law firm. I got married and became part of a new family. As promised, I learned to be a good AA, partner, and spouse by becoming a part of things. I was capable of being in a relationship.
I am no longer apart from the elements of my life, I am a part of the elements of my life.
Can not
Another gap with profound implications: I cannot drink, and I can not drink. Upon coming to AA and working the Steps, I discovered I cannot drink. I cannot have even one, because then I want a thousand. I cannot drink safely.
Then, when I discovered a spiritual way of life, I discovered that I can not drink. It is possible that I can live without drinking. And increasingly, I am comfortable without chemical dependency. I can—pause—not drink.
Now here
And yet another meaningful gap: now here, and nowhere. When I am living in the day, living in the here and now, I am now and here. I am both in the moment, living now, and I am here, present where I am.
But when I drift from the spiritual path and stop living in the day, I am nowhere. I am lost and have lost myself. I have lost touch with purpose and meaning, and I am nowhere and going nowhere.
Gaps are huge in my Program. I want to be a part, not apart; I cannot drink, and I can not drink; I love being now here, not nowhere, going nowhere.
So, as the London UK subway signs say, “Mind the gap.”
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