Thanks, Robert. With people with drinking problem is easy - quit drinking and no problem. Their problem ends with quit drinking. Ours problem begins with quit drinking.
Thanks God we have this amazing Program for recovery.
I was once told that I did not have alcoholism, but that I am alcoholism.
I thought that if I had it, I could get rid of it.
Now I know I cannot get rid of it, because it is me.
__________________
"... unless this person can experience an entire psychic change there is very little hope of recovery." Dr. Silkworth. (Alcoholics Anonymous, 3rd Ed. p.xxix)
I feel the important aspect here is, whether a lable is prescribed to our affliction or not, until I was able to accept and internalize the truth that drinking and drugs were mere symptoms of a much deeper, and devious illness....to completely digest and understand that my entire thought processes are diseased and maladjusted and I am powerless to change them, using "my" own power, I COULD NOT make any progress. Humility and honesty were essential. Today I acknowledge my disease of alcoholism and I fully acknowledge that I have much more important issues to deal with, and that by tending to those, via the 12 steps, I can be comfortable in knowing the symptoms are in remission. My gift, the vital psychic change is not a permanent, static predilection. For me, and possibly others(?) I need to exercise the proper use of my will on a daily basis, and carry out the 3rd step decision, in all my affairs, not just on the symptoms of drinking and drugs. In my opinion the fourth dimension Bill refers to is a place we get to when we are in authentic recovery, and are able to truly see ourselves,. as God see us. AA has been a door way into a whole new way of living, way beyond the material aspect and shallow,selfish mindset, I was addicted to for years. Not having a finish line is a very exciting aspect and transcends my own all or nothing, black and white thinking. We in AA are truly blessed to have such a powerful engine at our disposal, that can rocket us into places we never imagined existed, offering all who chooses to follow, true freedom.....well beyond the drink issue.
Will a spiritual awakening, a change of psyche, change what I have or who I am?
If what you had was a seemingly hopeless state of mind and body...Then the answer would be yes. That's what I had.
We, OF Alcoholics Anonymous, are more than one hundred men and women who have recovered from a seemingly hopeless state of mind and body.
Foreward first edition
If alcoholism is the problem you have....(Got that too.)
We feel as though we had been placed in a position of neutrality - safe and protected. We have not even sworn off. Instead, the problem has been removed. It does not exist for us. We are neither cocky nor are we afraid. That is our experience. That is how we react so long as we keep in fit spiritual condition.
BB pg 85
Looks like it changes that also.
Will it change who you are?
You'll still be Bob...But my guess is you will be a lot more pleasant to be around.
That is a great question 2granddaughters.....as a newcomer, I could not fathom or apprehend, the power I was to tap into. The full potential I have yet to comprehend. What I am 100% sure of is... experience. My reactions to life, have been revolutionized. Internally there has been a radical change. Externally I am the same ole Robert, with a few more wrinkles of course! Dr. Silkworth described this phenomenon at the end of his story in our basic text. He described a reunion of sorts with a fellow he met a year earlier and remarked he recognize him physically but beyond that he was a stranger to him. AA never proclaimed to cure my illness, but does indicate that if I follow the directions, a revolutionary change can happen. I may still be a leopard.....but my spots "have been" changed. This is the message I try to carry. Thank you again for the post....we cannot do this alone. God bless.....ps. Absolutely I am changed....AA has done for me slowly, what alcohol did for me quickly.
-- Edited by Robert Chavez on Sunday 17th of August 2014 04:14:46 PM
-- Edited by Robert Chavez on Sunday 17th of August 2014 04:25:29 PM
Some of it was explained by Bill Wilson after he discovered that the first many many yrs of his recovery he was not experiencing emotional sobriety. Much of his work and writing after that, gets into this. The basic text was/is a miracle - maybe divinely inspired. I believe God offers launching pads, and that book was it for me. The success it brought into my life to function and live like a useful member of the Earth seemed nothing short of a miracle. But in the grand big scheme of things - I discovered it really only offered me a little bit of success. Soon I realized that a little success is what most often holds us back from great success. Another divinely inspired moment I felt - allowed me to see that with the success & faith I found through the 12 steps - I could safely take that 'leap' from the launching pad and rocket into limitless potential - bringing on a whole new meaning to step 3, 7 & especially 11.
Soon the steps were no longer that - they were internalized - I had Become them. It seemed almost elementary to consider what step I am on, as I would be living all of them in all of my affairs equally. Almost like - they would be solidified within me like the hands of our circle join us all together as a whole. I see that I am only a small part of the whole - but I do raise the whole for being a part of it. I am a unique expression of the one great whole, just like everyone else - and a part of everyone else. The HP that is in all of us unites us and determines who we are.
I - becomes - We.
-- Edited by justadrunk on Sunday 17th of August 2014 09:45:09 PM
__________________
Thanks for everything. Peace and Love on your journey.
The basic text was/is a miracle - maybe divinely inspired. I believe God offers launching pads, and that book was it for me. The success it brought into my life to function and live like a useful member of the Earth seemed nothing short of a miracle. But in the grand big scheme of things - I discovered it really only offered me a little bit of success.
You lost me here Tasha....The book is a set of clear-cut directions that shows us precisely how they recovered. If we follow those directions carefully...Those promises they make in the book materialize....That has been my experience.
Soon I realized that a little success is what most often holds us back from great success. Another divinely inspired moment I felt - allowed me to see that with the success & faith I found through the 12 steps - I could safely take that 'leap' from the launching pad and rocket into limitless potential - bringing on a whole new meaning to step 3, 7 & especially 11.
I think that goes along with making spiritual progress...No? I don't revisit steps 3 or 7.....Although steps 4 through 9 are all included in step 10....As far as keeping our houses in order goes. If I had to make that third step decision every day...That would mean I'm taking it back. I made it once and I stand by it. This is just my experience.
I mean if you're going to follow the directions carefully.....This is it.
We were now at Step Three. Many of us said to our Maker, as we understood Him: "God, I offer myself to Thee-to build with me and to do with me as Thou wilt. Relieve me of the bondage of self, that I may better do Thy will. Take away my difficulties, that victory over them may bear witness to those I would help of Thy Power, Thy Love, and Thy Way of life. May I do Thy will always!" We thought well before taking this step making sure we were ready; that we could at last abandon ourselves utterly to Him.
We thought well before taking this step making sure we were ready;
We could at last abandon ourselves utterly to Him.
utterly: completely and without qualification; absolutely.
It's what they said....Not what they say on a daily basis. I just don't like to confuse people.
Soon the steps were no longer that - they were internalized - I had Become them. It seemed almost elementary to consider what step I am on, as I would be living all of them in all of my affairs equally. Almost like - they would be solidified within me like the hands of our circle join us all together as a whole. I see that I am only a small part of the whole - but I do raise the whole for being a part of it. I am a unique expression of the one great whole, just like everyone else - and a part of everyone else. The HP that is in all of us unites us and determines who we are.
I like what Clarence Snyder (One of the original members who helped write the book) says about that....They become habitual. But I like to see your take on it.
Wow, interesting and stimulating. When I first started bodybuilding I had to read some books, after that, I did not have to read the same piece on lats, but I had to keep taking the actions, if I wanted results. Step 3 is like that for me....I don't have to read it every day but I need to continue taking the actions required... to get results. Personally for me I will be carrying out the actions step 3 asks of me, every day, for the rest of my life. Interesting enough, the same actions are what brings me to the restoration of sanity and the miracle of the obsession being removed. It does not exist. Yup, I haven't even sworn off. My new attitude toward liquor is one of sane and rational reasoning. However there is one vital qualification.....as long as I keep in fit spiritual condition. I do that by continuous action upon the steps as a way of life. Again, there is no finish line, no certificate to receive, just a daily reprieve from the tyrant king alcohol, and a whole bunch of fun. I've lived 2 lives in 1 lifetime and I am one grateful alcoholic. So I can't be sure what was meant by certain lines in the big book, but I am certain of the results and my experience with them.
Personally for me I will be carrying out the actions step 3 asks of me, every day, for the rest of my life.
I think that's a given...If we rest on our laurels and all that. I guess the point I'm making....Is this is a program of action......Based on a decision.
I guess I go along the lines of what DR. Bob said about Bill W. in his story.
The question which might naturally come into your mind would be: What did the man do or say that was different from what others had done or said? It must be remembered that I had read a great deal and talked to everyone who knew, or thought they knew anything about the subject of alcoholism. But this was a man who had experienced many years of frightful drinking, who had had most all the drunkards experiences known to man, but who had been cured by the very means I had been trying to employ, that is to say the spiritual approach. He gave me information about the subject of alcoholism which was undoubtedly helpful. Of far more importance was the fact that he was the first living human with whom I had ever talked, who knew what he was talking about in regard to alcoholism from actual experience. In other words, he talked my language. He knew all the answers, and certainly not because he had picked them up in his reading. It is a most wonderful blessing to be relieved of the terrible curse with which I was afflicted. My health is good and I have regained my self-respect and the respect of my colleagues. My home life is ideal and my business is as good as can be expected in these uncertain times. I spend a great deal of time passing on what I learned to others who want and need it badly. I do it for four reasons:
Sense of duty.
It is a pleasure.
Because in so doing I am paying my debt to the man who took time to pass it on to me.
Because every time I do it I take out a little more insurance for myself against a possible slip.
If you take the definition of cured as being....
1.Restorationofhealth;recoveryfromdisease.
Then I would say that I am cured.....As long as I continue to take the treatment prescribed....Living steps 10, 11 and 12 everyday. Will I ever be able to enjoy my drinking again? No. I conceded that in the first step. How did I become cured?.....How did I recover? I took the action of the first nine steps as laid out in the book. Having had this spiritual awakening....As THE result of that....I just have to maintain it and strive to make progress with it. Not real complicated. I don't go into meetings or get on message boards and talk about how spiritually connected I am...That's my business....I talk about this common solution that we can all absolutely agree on...The 12 steps that will enable us to find a power that will solve our problem.....As laid out in the Big Book.
-- Edited by Stepchild on Monday 18th of August 2014 06:47:42 AM
