“Are you standing on your garden hose?”
An experienced AA shared this question. It is a question he asks whenever a sponsee calls with a difficulty. It is, he suggested, a universal solution for every sponsee and all problems.
“Are you standing on your garden hose?”
It is a wonderfully apt analogy.
Imagine me standing on the front lawn holding a garden hose. The pressure is on, but only a dribble is coming out. I need a free flow of water. Searching for the solution, I suddenly realize I am standing on the hose. I move my foot, and the water flows.
Imagine me calling my sponsor with a problem. I know that God is always there, and the pressure is always on, but there is only a spiritual dribble coming out. I need an awakening. Searching for the solution with my sponsor, I realize my ego is standing on the hose, impeding the delivery of the spiritual solution.
Like water in a garden hose, the spiritual solution is waiting to be released. And I am unaware of my blocking the flow with selfish and self-centred attitudes.
The analogy continues. Standing in the garden, staring at the dribble of water from the hose, I am unaware of my role in creating the impediment. Asking this question focuses my attention on the solution, lifting my foot.
Talking with my sponsor about the dribble of spirituality I am feeling, I am unaware of my role in creating the impediment. Asking this question focuses my attention on the solution, lifting my ego and letting the power flow.
I will incorporate this question into all my problems by asking myself this question, and any sponsees who call with issues.
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