“We did not all come over on the same ship, but we were all in the same boat.”
We are average Human beings. From all sections of this world and many of its occupations are represented, as well as many political, economic, social, and religious backgrounds. We are people who normally wouldn’t mix. But there exists among us a fellowship, a friendliness, and an understanding which is indescribably wonderful. We are like the passengers of a great liner the moment after shipwreck when comraderie, joyousness, and democracy pervade the vessel from steerage to Captain’s table. Unlike the feelings of the ship’s passengers, however, our joy in escape from disaster does not subside as we go our individual ways. The feeling of having shared in a common peril is one element in the powerful cement which binds us. But that in itself would never had held us together as we are now joined.
As we listen to others’ stories and tell our own, we see our roads into Sober Time are different. Some of us hit bottom. Others were spared the worst catastrophies, getting the message of recovery early. In the final analysis, we are all in the same boat with our powerlessness. The differences are superficial. There is no higher or lower status for anyone in our program. When it comes to the power of alcoholism, drug use, or any other addiction, we are equally in need of help from our Community.
Perhaps there was a time when we felt totally alone with our problems. But we were alone just like thousands of others needing recovery. Because we all have suffered and know our need for help, we can have a caring and supportive group. We can turn to our brothers and sisters in this Program knowing that they are in the same boat, and they will understand. No one else provides that kind of healing relationship.
“I am grateful for the closeness I have with others who are in the same boat as me.”