The man at the podium tells his story, one I've heard hundreds of times during my 23 years in the program.
More than two dozen arrests. A prison term. Trips in an out of jail. DUI's. A litany of failures stacked on failures.
A lifestyle of decadence and self-gratification. Of disappointing loved ones. Divorces. Ripping off friends. Of being unemployable. Being beat up.
Then, out of desperation, he finds his way to the 12-step rooms and recovery.
And even though I've heard his tale over and over, I'm enthralled because that's our story. Maybe the details vary - but the plot is the same.
And the reason his story excites me is not because of its dramatic sordid details. It's because the man speaking is proof the programs works.
His testimonial gives hope to the newcomers in the room who have failed over and over. They hear what he went though years ago. Then they see what he's like today. He gives any doubters in the room hope for a new life.
It happened for him like it can happen for any of us who listen to the message.
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