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~ As Bill Sees It: Looking for Lost Faith ~
(Preview)
p. 235 Any number of A.A.'s can say, "We were diverted from our childhood faith. As material success began to come, we felt we were winning at the game of life. This was exhilarating, and it made us happy. "Why should we be bothered with theological abstractions and religious duties, or w...
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FlyingSquirrel
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0
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402
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Life beyond addiction.
(Preview)
My initial state before going into recovery was restless, irritable and discontented. That is why I drank alcohol, so that I could get a sense of ease and comfort. I got restored to sanity by the steps 3 to 9. Step 2 tells me about the objective of the steps which is a restoration to sanity. That objective...
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gonee
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4
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610
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Daily Reflections ~ Giving It Away & 24hrs a Day
(Preview)
Though they knew they must help other alcoholics if they would remain sober, that motive became secondary. It was transcended by the happiness they found in giving themselves to others. Alcoholics Anonymous, p.159 Those words, for me, refer to a transference of power, through which God, as I under...
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Sobrietyspell
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0
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608
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Do prescription drugs help???
(Preview)
Hi, My name is Annette. As you can see from my username, alcohol is not my only addiction! Anyway, I am new to this site, but have been reading some of the posts and not only am I amazed at the number of people who share this disease, but the encouragement and support from other members is AWESOME! The...
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Born2Buy
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10
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1412
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Thank you
(Preview)
Some of you may remember that I asked for prayers for a friend who ended up after a drink/drugs binge on death row for 13 ˝ years after being present at an incident which ended in the death of someone. I have today learnt that his sentence has been commuted to life. He would like to thank you all for your pra...
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louisa
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14
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793
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A milestone and a miracle...
(Preview)
One of my earliest sponsors counseled me that to reach peace of mind and serenity I would have to break with everything alcohol in my life and focus on the program. That break would include not drinking myself and my alcoholic/addict second wife. My first wife was an addict...my next relationship was...
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Jerry F
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8
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804
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~ As Bill Sees It: Freed Prisoners ~
(Preview)
p. 234 Letter to a prison group: "Every A.A. has been, in a sense, a prisoner. Each of us has walled himself out of society; each has known social stigma. The lot of you folks has been even more difficult: In your case, society has also built a wall around you. But there isn't any really essentia...
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FlyingSquirrel
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0
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1153
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Daily Reflections ~ The Gift of Bonding & 24hrs a day
(Preview)
Relieve me of the bondage of self, that I may better do Thy will. ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS , p. 63 Many times in my alcoholic state, I drank to establish a bond between myself and others, but I succeeded only in establishing the bondage of alcoholic loneliness. Through the A.A. way of life, I have received t...
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Sobrietyspell
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0
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532
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How to stop drinking?
(Preview)
Almost all the stories I have heard in AA, talk about their first meeting and the talk with another alcoholic who experienced the problem and had found a solution to the problem. My first meeting got me sober instantly and I stayed dry for almost a month. I did not require medical intervention. My convi...
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gonee
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1
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735
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Dwelling upon the faults of others
(Preview)
Today's thought from Hazelden is: Reflection for the Day Looking back, I realize just how much of my life has been spent in dwelling upon the faults of others. It provided much self-satisfaction, to be sure, but I see now just how subtle and actually perverse the process became. After all was said and d...
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Larry_H
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2
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588
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Advice about lifestyle choices in recovery please
(Preview)
Hello everyone, I just thought I would ask the advice of anyone in recovery, particularly those with a good amount of sobriety. I am just over three months sober. I spent 5 weeks in a treatment centre and the last 8 weeks I have been attending AA meetings most days, usually about 5 or 6 a week. I have a great...
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Vinohrady
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9
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785
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Me: Charlie Brown, Her: Lucy
(Preview)
Will someone just shoot me now and put me out of my misery? God I always just wanted to shake Charlie Brown and say, snap out of it man, she's gonna pull that football away every time, don't BELIEVE her this time! So my wife, from whom I'm separated (and divorce on hold), who cheated on me for 6 months befor...
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FlyingSquirrel
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7
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1379
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washing machine head and everything else
(Preview)
I am angry i hate addictions. I am worried about a food addict and i feel theres no where to really talk about it. I tried a coda meeting today i was hoping to hear someone speak about having an addict in their life and didnt hear that. I dont know what to do. I am going nuts. I am reading alanon book from when my...
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slugcat
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8
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2941
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I AM YOUR DISEASE (PLEASE READ)
(Preview)
I hate meetings. I hate higher power. I hate anyone who has a program. To all who come in contact with me, I wish you death and I wish you mass suffering. Allow me to introduce myself, I am the disease of addiction. Cunning, Baffling, and Powerful! That's me. I have killed millions, and Im very pleased. I l...
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SoberSteve
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9
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13516
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8 years sober and feeling worse than ever
(Preview)
I am almost 8 years sober and I feel worse than I did when I was one year sober. I am working the steps, have a great sponsor, go to meetings, have a sponsee am a single mom to two grown children who are doing great. Yet I still have bouts of depression and anxiety. My self esteem is still shaky. I think I am...
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Glinda
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16
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3975
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Why do we drink alcohol?
(Preview)
The BB says that alcoholics drink for the effect produced by alcohol. That's not a bad reason for drinking. I would not have drank alcohol if it did not produce a sense of ease and comfort, which came at once by taking the first drink. The question that almost nobody asks is why do I continue drinking long...
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gonee
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7
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1041
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One day at a tiime
(Preview)
Right now I'm working this program by the minute, the hour, the day... I've finally crossed the bridge of resistance and put my cigarettes down after approximately 40 years of smoking. It's been 30 hours since my last one. I don't feel like I qualify as a non smoker yet, but rather a smoker who is tortur...
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John
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6
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705
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What is the greatest danger facing A.A. today?
(Preview)
This is Not my writing but I am in full agreement with this "If you were to ask me what is the greatest danger facing A.A. today, I would have to answer: the growing rigidity -- the increasing demand for absolute answers to nit-picking questions; pressure for G.S.O. to 'enforce' our Traditions; s...
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Larry_H
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17
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2580
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We're the luckiest people alive because we don't have to do anything alone!
(Preview)
Today's thought from Hazelden is: I alone can do it. But I can't do it alone. --Anonymous We're the luckiest people alive because we don't have to do anything alone! Whether we have a new assignment to tackle, a new relationship to cultivate, a new boss to please, we'll never fail as long as we rely on the...
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Larry_H
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3
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628
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Daily Reflections ~ A Riddle That Works & 24hrs a Day
(Preview)
It may be possible to find explanations of spiritual experiences such as ours, but I have often tried to explain my own and have succeeded only in giving the story of it. I know the feeling it gave me and the results it has brought, but I realize I may never fully understand its deeper why and how. AS BILL SE...
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Sobrietyspell
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0
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544
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Life's crises seem terrifying and endless when they are happening
(Preview)
Today's thought from Hazelden is: The smallest seed of faith is better than the largest fruit of happiness. --Henry David Thoreau Life's crises seem terrifying and endless when they are happening. As we reflect on these stressful periods, we begin to realize that they provide a chance for change an...
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Larry_H
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1
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584
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We have no control over the way another person reacts to our amends
(Preview)
Today's thought from Hazelden is: God grant me the serenity To accept the things I cannot change, The courage to change the things I can, And the wisdom to know the difference. --The Serenity Prayer Newcomer What if the person to whom I'm trying to make amends is still too angry to accept my apology or do...
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Larry_H
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4
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846
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Words are the voice of the heart
(Preview)
Today's thought from Hazelden is: Words are the voice of the heart. --Confucius What does my heart have to say today? Am I happy? Or am I troubled? We will find this out if we slow down and listen to our words. We can also hear our spirit in the tone of our words. We are to meditate. Meditation is about slowin...
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Larry_H
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3
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754
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i dont have to drink for today
(Preview)
when i first came into aa all i was obsessing about was how was i going to stay sober for the rest of my life..........at that wedding......at that party.......with men...... as i learned after not being able to listen for a long time.......... i dont have to drink for today..aug 23rd 2010, TODAY........
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hayestracey
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7
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727
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My Story
(Preview)
Just here to share my story...I have not yet been to a meeting, but have googled the topic many times. I live in NY and am involved in the creative fields there, so I've met plenty of people in the program.My job/s have often required that I be out late at bars and music venues, so drinking has been a way of l...
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GAM
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15
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4057
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~ As Bill Sees It: The Value Of Human Will ~
(Preview)
p. 232 Many newcomers, having experienced little but constant deflation, feel a growing conviction that human will is of no value whatever. They have become persuaded, sometimes rightly so, that many problems besides alcohol will not yield to a headlong assault powered only by the individual's...
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FlyingSquirrel
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2
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1517
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Other People's Issues
(Preview)
So, for 37 years I've had a nephew and two days ago I started to have a 37 year old niece. "My testicles are now in a bag marked medical waste.", she wrote. For over ten years I've been hearing about "the lesbian trapped inside a man's body" and my birth family has been adapting to c...
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Aquaman
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9
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745
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Never Say Never
(Preview)
Someone in my life who has been a practicing alcoholic for five decades is now attempting our way of life and has four months sobriety. How awesome is that? I am so grateful.
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leeu
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8
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832
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12 Qualities of Sponsorship
(Preview)
As your Sponsor... I will not help you to stay and wallow in limbo. I will help you to grow, to become more productive, by your definition. I will help you become more autonomous, more loving of yourself, more excited, less sensitive, more free to become the authority for your own living. I cannot give y...
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Sobrietyspell
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5
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820
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Nerves about AA convention
(Preview)
Hi everyoneIt is my first AA convention on Sunday, and I am a bundle of nerves! I am trying to live in the day and not think too much about it - but it is there, it's coming, and it is the talk of all the meetings at the moment! Someone said at the meeting tonight that they had massive temptations to drink at the...
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LoreleiLee
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5
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765
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Daily Reflections ~ Bringing The Message Home & 24hrs a Day
(Preview)
Can we bring the same spirit of love and tolerance into our sometimes deranged family lives that we bring to our A.A. group? TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS , pp. 111 -112 My family members suffer from the effects of my disease. Loving and accepting them as they are - just as I love and accept A.A. memb...
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Sobrietyspell
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0
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501
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angry at me why am i so sensitive.
(Preview)
helllo everyone i found myself reacting yesterday ina work situation. my colleagues and 1 were in our rest room and a conversation about alcohol began. some of them persisted it was impossible to give up alcohol, that they couldnt cope with social situations without a drink and anyone that can enjoy...
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hayestracey
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11
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721
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The difference between "taking action" and "letting go"
(Preview)
Today's thought from Hazelden is: Today I will practice looking at situations and learning the difference between "taking action" and "letting go." Many times I need to take care of things that seem difficult or overwhelming, and I have to push myself to get them done because...
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Larry_H
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2
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690
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Taking a break
(Preview)
Hello MIP family. Got a lot of stuff I'm working on, trying to finish this year, and I need to take a break from a couple things to make more time to do them. When looking for needed time, my internet "studies" provided me with plenty. I'll be back when I get these goals accomplished. Unti...
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StPeteDean
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12
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1065
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Gratitude
(Preview)
So, other than the usual things like sobriety and the like, what else are you grateful for today. I'll start... As hard as it can be sometimes, I'm grateful for step 10 today! Who's next?
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Reffner
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8
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721
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22 years in recovery.
(Preview)
I thank God that despite myself and my circumstances, he kept me sober and held me in the palm of His hands. I want to thank the AA fellowship for it's support. I want to say thanks to this forum and all the people behind the scenes who make it possible to be online. I also want to thank all the people who take t...
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gonee
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15
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980
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Could use some support
(Preview)
Hey I know its been awhile since I posted here. Things were going pretty well for me up until about two weeks ago. I've just been really struggling. I got a full times job with benifits only to get let go for not being able to pass a test. This really struck a cord with me. I worked so hard and asked questions...
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kkotz401
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9
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795
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A Thanks to Dean
(Preview)
I come to this board ocassionally. Not as much as I'd like. I'm busy on the ACOA board as a mod there... but one thing is certain when I come here I know I have a friend in Dean. He has been a constant for a long time here and every now and then I think I take that friendship for granted. I don't know if I will ev...
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Dave Harm
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4
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738
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Spoke with my parents
(Preview)
As part of my 6th step and becoming entirely read to have God remove my character defects, I have a list of things I have to do in order to be ready for these changes to occur...seeing as this is an action step and I don't undo years of acting a certain way just by asking God...I have to show willingness...
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pinkchip
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7
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840
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A lighter view of steps and traditions!
(Preview)
Applying steps to our lives, keep us from killing ourselves! Applying traditions to our groups,keeps us from killing each other!!!Have you ever sat thru tradition wars!!!!!At times ,thought I was seeing which came first "the chicken or the egg!!!!! :) :)
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mikef
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4
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667
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Daily Reflections ~ We Just Try & 24hrs a Day
(Preview)
My stability came out of trying to give, not out of demanding that I receive. The Best Of Bill, pp. 46-47 As long as I try, with all my heart and soul, to pass along to others what has been passed along to me, and do not demand anything in return, life is good to me. Before entering this program of Alcoholics A...
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Sobrietyspell
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0
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507
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~ As Bill Sees It: Privileged to Communicate ~
(Preview)
p. 231 Everyone must agree that we A.A.'s are unbelievably fortunate people; fortunate that we have suffered so much; fortunate that we can know, understand, and love each other so supremely well. These attributes and virtues are scarcely of the earned variety. Indeed, most of us are well aware th...
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FlyingSquirrel
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3
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1651
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24 Hours A Day 8/20/10
(Preview)
A.A. Thought for the Day "When many hundreds of people are able to say that the consciousness of the presence of God is today the most important fact of their lives, they present a powerful reason why one should have faith. When we see others solve their problems by simple reliance upon some Spirit of th...
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John
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3
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647
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Daily Readings on this board
(Preview)
I just want to extend a quiet heartfelt "thank you" to those MIP members that take the time out of their day to post the daily readings. Whether its from "Daily Reflections, 24 hours a Day, or As Bill See's It, I absolutely love being able to peek in here in the morning and read the daily mediations. I rea...
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John
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3
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893
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Problem with a newcomer :)
(Preview)
Can I get some advice from a few of you about a newcomer who is causing a disturbance in a few of our meetings? I live across the street from a recovery facility (how lucky am I!!!!!). There are a lot of meetings at the facility that are AA and not run by the facility which follows the traditions. About a...
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jazzyblue
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8
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1064
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Daily Reflections 8/20/10
(Preview)
Since defective relations with other human beings have nearly always been the immediate cause of our woes, including our alcoholism, no field of investigation could yield more satisfying and valuable rewards than this one. TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS , p. 80 ****** Willingness is a peculi...
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John
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1
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733
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Hi All.... Brand new sleep problem?
(Preview)
Wow, what a week so far!! My first priority remains meetings meetings meetings. This is the first night ina long time I am not going to one, due to the fact that I have been working my new job with horrendous hours the past few days, and then had 2 medical appointments myself today on my day off, one of whic...
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jonijoni1
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16
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1021
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The Myth of Beautiful People
(Preview)
Our society places such great importance on looks. Even when it's not politically correct to do so overtly, it's still there in every aspect. Even those people who are outspoken against the whole fashion industry make sure they look good for the camera. It's just inescapeable, yet it's such a vai...
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barisax
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5
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1046
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Why We Celebrate Anniversaries
(Preview)
You hear one day at a time, and that's how we do it - there really is no other way. Time isn't something we can manupulate and jump ahead 10 years. We progess those 10 years the same way everybody else does - one day at a time, one minute at a time, one second at a time. So why do we announce and celebrate our a...
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barisax
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4
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5084
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Checking In
(Preview)
I got an email asking me to stay in touch so I thought I would give a quick post. Now sober 3 mnth/15 days and very much enjoying my recovery. I don't post a lot, but I try and log onto MIP at least once a week. I love to read and just absorb all of the recovery that is shared. I am in the process of moving from L...
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jazzyblue
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6
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821
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