I'm Peach, an alcoholic, grateful to be here and grateful to be sober.

Freedom! What a concept! We hear a lot in the rooms about being happy, joyous and free through working the Steps and living this program, but I don't often hear "Freedom" as a meeting topic, so thought it might be a nice change. Although I had 'rights,' I didn't have what I considered 'freedom' when I got here. I mean mental, emotional freedom. I was held captive by numerous things, my drinking, for one. However, that was only a symptom of bigger problems. My thoughts, ideas, ideals, attitudes, emotions, all held me captive. I love the story in the back of the Big Book, "Freedom from Bondage" (p. 544). Like the entire book, I found a lot of truth in it. I had been holding on to all the negative stuff in life which kept me in a negative state of mind, a negative position, a negative attitude towards anyone and everything, with no freedom to enjoy anything at all. I was too busy being mean, sad, angry, and resentful. Love and hate can't reside in the same place at the same time; one will outweigh the other. Through living this program, and practicing these principles in all areas of my life, I have a real freedom now. I have freedom to choose. I can choose to be angry if I really want to, but that's not a real good place for me to be. Today, I have the choice. Before, I didn't. Before, I was stuck in my old patterns, old habits, and old ways of thinking about everything. I couldn't get out of that on my own; no matter how hard I tried, it just wouldn't work. Today, I have a choice in the matter -- a choice in my attitudes, my views, and how I respond to challenges. That choice gives me the opportunity to embrace a real freedom. Freedom to have peace of mind and serenity. I'm thankful to Alcoholics Anonymous for saving my life, and giving me one worth living, for showing me how to find freedom, for teaching me that I do have choices, and for deepening my understanding of my own personal Higher Power. Thank you for letting me share.

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