ESSAY August 2022 - Doing the Next Right Thing … When No One Is Watching - Bill K., Huntington, NY Sobriety date March 10, 2014

I love slogans. For my addled brain with the memory of a goldfish, they are pithy, easy to remember and when I receive the willingness, actionable. There are so many that readily come to mind, such as “One Day At A Time,” “Good Orderly Direction,” “Let Go and Let God,” and “Go Easy On Yourself.” While these slogans are terrific, there are two slogans that have become foundational to my recovery and intertwined in my increasingly 12 step way of living. The first is “Doing The Next Right Thing” with the added twist of “Particularly, When No One Is Watching.” The second I cobbled together following years of meetings, listening to speakers in both SA and AA, doing the steps, working with my sponsor/sponsees and general fellowship which I call the “G.A.S.H.” Principle.