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Working the steps.
(Preview)
OK, here's a question from an 18-monther: Does working the steps mean: A. Marking each step formally, in order, in public or in the presence of a sponsor, by reciting certain phrases verbally. B. Simply using the principles behind the steps as a general philosophy of living. C. Something in betw...
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zzworldontheweb
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8
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1019
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Alcoholic Monkey's Gone Wild! (Funny Video)
(Preview)
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John
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2
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687
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AAA ROUNDUP
(Preview)
Going away for the weekend. It's our annual AA, Alanon and Alateen roundup. My family and I have been going there for the last 22 years. The kids were 6 & 2. They still like to attend. Their friends have grown up with them in recovery. The entire resort on the beach is booked. It's great because we have...
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gonee
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3
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652
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Relapses Get Progressively Worse
(Preview)
A recent thread reminded me that it might be helpful to others if I posted on this topic. During my first several months in AA, I was a chronic relapser. I had always heard that when one relapses after a period of sobriety, you pick up at a point that is as if you had continued drinking the entire time. Alcoh...
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TwelveSteps
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9
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1135
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Daily Reflections ~ Serenity & 24hrs a Day
(Preview)
As I continued to go to meetings and work the Steps, something began to happen to me. I felt confused because I wasn't sure what it was that I was feeling, and then I realized I was experiencing serenity. It was a good feeling, but where had it come from? Then I realized it had come ". . .as the result of...
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Sobrietyspell
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0
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527
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My 'story' as I see it, 3 months into accepting my disease
(Preview)
So... how did I get here? Not sure... I think I was 'here' all along... as far back as my first drinks as a high school Junior. (My 25th reunion was last night -- I could not go... just not at all ready or stable enough to do so). So here I sit this morning feeling sorry for myself, as I get emails from old...
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Jeanne
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6
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766
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Ah One, and Ah Two..
(Preview)
November 24 Every practicing alcoholic is firmly convinced that the Devil has all the good tunes. It was the music we had wanted and the tunes to which we had attuned our ears. His music was louder, more catchy and, and to our thinking, was prettier. We suspected, however, that it did not have...
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Rainspa
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3
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1738
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My vision is getting...
(Preview)
clearer, wider, deeper more contrasted. When I found out that my blindness was in fact correctable and not inoperable I delighted in the news that the surgery was scheduled for the Thanksgiving holiday, the 24 and 25th. My wife and family didn't think that the best idea however I know from past expe...
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Jerry F
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5
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828
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Right You Are
(Preview)
December 1 There will always be a difference of opinion as long as people have different interests, different prejudices and different mental capacities. To expect people to disagree with you is only sensible and reasonable. If everybody agreed with you, everybody would be as smart as you and you w...
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Rainspa
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1
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1669
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Table Talk
(Preview)
This used to be ubiquitous in AA meetings; it was so common as the way to help beginners get through the steps and seems to have been lost. I think it might prove helpful. It's a bit long, but remember it was the basis of a meeting or talk so would usually be an hour and half or two hours or so. Good way to do ste...
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Rainspa
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0
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1071
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Music with a recovery message or a "how it was" theme
(Preview)
Post up your videos, tunes, lyrics, or poetry, that have a realted message or express old ways of thinking. Here's a couple from SRV's last album "In Step". This came out the year that I got sober and I was lucky enough to see it live. Caught up in a whirlwind, can't catch my breath. Knee...
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StPeteDean
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22
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1865
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I like this!
(Preview)
Recovered because today I drink as much as I want to I just no longer choose to drink alcohol! Recovering is knowing I am one drink away from my next drunk. Recovered is knowing I am one infinitely powered God away from my next drunk.. Not meant to stir controversy or be devisive........ I am an "A...
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mikef
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2
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583
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Daily Reflections ~ "Suggested" Steps & 24hrs a Day
(Preview)
Our Twelfth Step also says that as a result of practicing all the Steps, we have each found something called a spiritual awakening. . . . A.A.'s manner of making ready to receive this gift lies in the practice of the Twelve Steps in our program." TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, pp. 106-07 I rem...
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Sobrietyspell
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0
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561
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How long to get sober question
(Preview)
Hi everyone. I'm in Alanon, my husband is an A and in AA. I lurk on these AA boards mostly (participate in alanon boards) but today I've decided to speak up, I have a question - I hope it's ok I"m here! :) First some background info: My husb started going to AA about a year ago - he would go once a week, the...
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workingout
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23
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2211
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Solution to Busy
(Preview)
November 30 Many who are active in AA work come to feel they just can't carry on any longer. There is so much to do; so little time that can be spared to do it; so few to do the work. There is a limit to their endurance. After all a guy has just so much strength health, and patience. When burdens get too heav...
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Rainspa
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2
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4257
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How soon should I get a sponsor?
(Preview)
Hello!! As of tomorrow , I am one week sober. I am also attending an out-patient treatment program (I previously attended AA and got my 1 month chip, but never worked the program, and so I drank again). I want to work the program and take a full-on approach to my recovery. How soon should I get a sponsor and...
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Kimmer
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13
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2274
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Cool experiences this Thanksgiving
(Preview)
I traveled home to the DC metro area for the holiday. We spent Thanksgiving on the eastern shore which is about a 2 hour drive from my parents' home in Annapolis. Anyhow, I was feeling kinda squirrely (not like I was going to drink at all, but just sort of all weird and up in my head)...so I got online and w...
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pinkchip
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6
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872
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Don't Know What To Do
(Preview)
Hi I am an alcoholic, and so is my husband. I live in a small town, and do not want to go to a meeting there, because i don't feel that it would be anonamous. Does anyone have any suggestions. I do not trust myself, and am afraid i will never quit drinking.
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countrygirl
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10
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935
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Seek, and....
(Preview)
November 29 We find in life exactly what we are looking for. In your drinking days, you courted trouble constantly and you probably found more than your share of it. Today we are looking for a better way of life and this, too, we find at every turn. We get what we want if we put forth sufficient effort to loo...
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Rainspa
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0
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4374
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Realization?
(Preview)
Hello All, I am in a battle with my mind. I have a very close friend that told me I have a serious drinking problem and I need help. I trust and believe in him as we are very close friends seriously like brother and sister. My problem with his comment is, I am not in total agreeance. I drink on weekends and I do...
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peaches1
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11
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1078
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A wee little What it Was Like, etc.
(Preview)
What it Was Like... I got frustrated...drink-drank-drunk. I felt resentment...drink-drank-drunk. I felt exuberent...drink-drank-drunk. Any darn excuse at all...drink-drank-drunk. What Happened... Drunk as a lifestyle choice doesn't really work for me. Never has. Never will. (one dow...
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Aquaman
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3
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697
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Info Earned
(Preview)
November 28 Knowledge is of great value, and nothing of value is acquired without price. Wisdom is even more to be desired than knowledge, which can be but an accumulation of facts. Humility is greater than wisdom for there is no real wisdom without humility. The wise are humbled by the knowledge of t...
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Rainspa
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0
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3558
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Friends
(Preview)
November 23 Isn't is strange to note the absence of a lot of old pre-AA friends over the week-end? We have not offended them, surely, and we are just as good friends as we used to be, but somehow they don't call on us with the same regularity. The answer is simple--the bar is closed. Now home is w...
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Rainspa
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4
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2038
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Fear to Surrender to Hope
(Preview)
November 26 In our drinking days, fear of everything and everybody was our constant companion. These fears continued until we finally, in desperate necessity, found the courage to surrender - to quit unconditionally. Then we found AA and a ray of Hope. Hope became desire, desire became determinat...
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Rainspa
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6
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3864
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There is a Solution
(Preview)
Big Book Study Meetings are a vital part of AA as a whole. Seriously looking into the dropout rate of AA members, its easy to see that most new AA members are either a) not getting what they need ( solution to their problem) in contemporary middle of the road AA Meetings, or b) are not Real Alcoholics and ju...
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LinBaba
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6
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1838
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Daily Reflections ~ Attraction, Not Promotion & 24hrs a Day
(Preview)
Through many painful experiences, we think we have arrived at what that policy ought to be. It is the opposite in many ways of usual promotional practice. We found that we had to rely upon the principle of attraction rather than promotion. TWELVE STEPS AND TWELVE TRADITIONS, pp. 180-81 While I was dri...
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Sobrietyspell
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0
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865
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Ultimately it was my choice.
(Preview)
Every new day that I get up my one wish is that I never get too big that I cannot pray and ask God for His will. Just like physical exercise for me is vital for my body, spiritual exercise through prayer and meditation is vital for my spiritual condition. My most neglected condition used to be my spiritual c...
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gonee
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2
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589
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My vision is getting
(Preview)
Reply Quote More Edit PostDelete Post so much more clearer and I'm not talking about my eyesight alone. The surgery worked, is doing what I was told it would do and I had no idea that my spiritual vision had gotten so cloudy also. I am grateful that my eyesight was repairable and that in short weeks...
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Jerry F
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5
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932
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Visit to my old AA group.
(Preview)
I went to one of my sponsor's 23 year thanksgiving at my old AA group. It brought back so many memories of my early recovery and the struggles I experienced. We spoke about our meeting after the meeting which sometimes went on for hours. I needed this extended time with someone who understood my alcohol...
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gonee
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1
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587
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come on, get happy
(Preview)
Saturday, Nov. 27, 2010 Sorrow and happiness are mental states, but the effect they have upon our nervous system and our blood pressure is a recognized fact. The "Atmosphere" of a hospital and its staff can lengthen or shorten the duration of an illness. We alcoholics spent years driving...
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Rainspa
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0
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3927
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Went to my sponsor's 30th Bday today...
(Preview)
...and some other guys' 10th. Over 30 people there at the restaurant, great fellowship. I knew them all, brought my family along. Just goes to show, this program works if we work it. Very grateful for AA. Good sober day to all. Steve
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SteveP
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4
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730
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I am Thankful for...
(Preview)
A.A. Each and every one of Us. The program. Bill & Bob. Lois. John, Dean & MIP. If you are reading this...you are a blessing in my life and I am grateful for you. Peace & Love, Rob
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Aquaman
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7
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834
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A funny thing happened on the way to..........
(Preview)
God! How long since I've been here? Too long for sure. Where to begin....1st of all, I'm still sober and owe some of that to you folks here...truth! I guess the last time I was here was when I was unemployed, trying to heal and waiting to go back to work. I think I was trying to get a job with the RCMP (canadian...
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eastcoastscott
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3
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652
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Obsessive Thoughts
(Preview)
I have been sober for only a short time. 75 days to be exact. Prior to stop drinking I was also on medication to slow down my thoughts. When I quit drinking I quit the meds. I was darn near crazy for the first 60 days as my mind raced. When I hit the 60 day mark suddenly my mind slowed. It was the most peac...
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Aliciababy
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13
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3337
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Happy Thanksgiving
(Preview)
To you all...and thanks for the responses to the Spiritual Transference post a few days back. With your feedback and support from my local group I am now back in balance and remembering what it was like in the past when I let go of the process and the outcome and walk to the solutions attended by my Higher...
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Jerry F
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6
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587
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Submission.
(Preview)
I found that it was not knowledge that kept me sober. It was submission. Submitting to the fact that I was suffering from an incurable disease of alcoholism. Submitting to the fact that no human power could heal me, however august they may be. Submitting to the fact God could heal me if I seek Him. When I g...
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gonee
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1
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737
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It just doesn't Work
(Preview)
Reading this made me think of some meetings I have attended over the years, one in particular where "The Topic" was people "sharing" about how useless it was to work with alcoholics that were still drinking!!!! Made me wonder if they actually even ever read the Big Book, Bill wa...
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LinBaba
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29
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1295
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Thanksgiving Time
(Preview)
Hi To All And a Very Happy Thanksgiving to Everyone whereever you have it. Now for some you may want to check your local groups/clubhouses; many hold all day Alkathons with Food and Followship--and usually have meetings going on hourly. You do not have to spend the whole day unless you want to, some peo...
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kld47
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0
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554
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Daily Reflections ~ A Universal Search & 24hrs a Day
(Preview)
Be quick to see where religious people are right. Make use of what they offer. ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS, p. 87 I do not claim to have all the answers in spiritual matters, any more than I claim to have all the answers about alcoholism. There are others who are also engaged in a spiritual search. If I keep an op...
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Sobrietyspell
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0
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505
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Fear Is Not My Motivation
(Preview)
I was not scared sober. If the knowledge of the alcoholic death that awaited me was sufficient to keep me sober, I would have never even taken my first drink. I watched my father die an alcoholic death when I was 15... cirrhosis, the busted esophagus... I knew my chances. Hangovers were not enough to...
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barisax
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4
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1487
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BEEN A WHILE
(Preview)
HI Just thought I'd drop in, its been a while..... Things are going ok for today, my son's still got no motivation. My daughter went to check one of the College Campus's out last weekend. Had my Physical the other week, the only thing that is a problem is my colesteral a little high. Can work on that, was...
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Tina
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3
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571
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Meet Anne E. Donia...
(Preview)
Anhedonia: Loss of pleasure. The counselors said this would happen in this, Early Recovery, but I hoped it wouldn't be a noticeable deal. Wrong. It's been 5 months since my last (1) day relapse, 7 months since I quit smoking and about oh...4 months since ripping myself free of xanax. How long, withou...
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Aquaman
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11
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947
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We're not here to lose our sense of humor
(Preview)
Today's thought from Hazelden is: We're not here to lose our sense of humor. --Richie Berlin Being too serious is habit forming. However, many aspects of our lives are serious and need to be addressed. Our disease, for one, is very serious. Working the Twelve Step program to the best of our ability is s...
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Larry_H
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4
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998
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Secret.....
(Preview)
Does anyone else ever feel like they have a little secret to happiness?? Since being in the program for about 3 years now, I feel happy like a child. Corney I know but to be able to feel anything was a step up. I can sit on the couch with my dog and watch tv and a surge will come over me. Contentment. Alot t...
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SUSIE
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1
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610
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What is Gods Plan for you?
(Preview)
I just got back from church, and what a wonderful experience. I was never the type to go to church in the past, and in fact I hated church. I hated how happy all these people were, and thought of them as fake. Now I realize that these people are all like me, and are just finding a way to live their life with mean...
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alexsun
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10
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1485
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Something that you can't do while drinking
(Preview)
I just got back from my vacation in Key Largo. Had a great time scuba diving with my wife. It was awesome going back there after 15 years. We made several trips there in the early 90's with our other boat. I got to do a another solo dive on a great ship wreck. A 327' Coast Guard cutter USCG Duane and t...
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StPeteDean
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8
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3066
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Spiritual transference...
(Preview)
Aloha All...just got back from my morning home meeting and before I got out and do some business in what is a very beautiful day here I wanted to check in and read...respond if I felt supportive. My eye surgery is coming up in 3 days and I've been having difficulties with letting go of control of the outco...
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Jerry F
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7
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1121
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In The Blood
(Preview)
So last night, I'm on the way back from my home group, and taking DramaGoddess back home to the opposite side of town first... yes, she's one of us and she goes to my meeting with me sometimes now. And I'm talking to her about stuff... like how we feel emotions, and how we think, and how we react, and how we...
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barisax
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3
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699
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"Resentment is the "number one" offender. BB pg 64.
(Preview)
"It destroys more alcoholics than anything else." Alcohol had destroyed me physically and mentally. With careful medical care and good nutrition and exercise, I quickly recovered. Resentment on the other hand was a terrible spiritual disease that was eating me up. I thank God and AA fo...
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gonee
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4
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2502
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Amends...
(Preview)
I recently made an amends to someone I thought I never would. An ex best friend who was screwing my husband. (sorry about being so blunt) This is a person I shared everything with. When I was having marital problems I would vent to her. So boy did she have it all in a nut shell. My part was I should neve...
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SUSIE
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14
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937
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