Hi all. Just wanted to share a success. I went to the horse races tonight. I take my kids 1-2 times a a year. I live nearby the track. Anyhow, this was the first time I didn't have a drink. I went with others who do not drink. They offered to buy me a beer...but I was fine. I ate ice cream instead. HMMM. No wonder why I have gained weight. Anyhow, the cool thing is, I drove without one worry! I have been meeting so many people who have changed their lives....more and more..it is really interesting and motivating. Also, I am wanting to plan a get away surf trip with some girl friends. However, airplanes and I only get along with alcohol. But Iknow I will be fine with safe people who can keep me calm. So this is something I really want to do but with sobriety. Thanks everyone!
about the plane ride. You're perceived anxiety about planes, and the subsequent alcohol, is probably what we call an "old idea". You can change your mind about those. I believe it's in chapter 5 "how it works" where it says "we have to let go or our old ideas absolutely". I used to get nervous on planes and drink on them, now I love plane rides. I get to sit in 1st class most of the time (frequent flyer preferred status) so it's a little more enjoyable. But I remember, in early sobriety, deciding that I wasn't going to be nervous and that I was going to enjoy plane rides and it worked. I worked step 3 on it as with anything else that I get scared about.
I think these kinds of "changes of mind" reflect a maturing that was prevented from occurring by the use of alcohol. I started drinking when I was 8, and heavily by 13, daily by 16. I never gave myself a chance to grow up. When I finally got sober at 29 I believe that I was still about 16 emotionally and maybe less than in some areas. I really had a lot of work to do.
One business man in a meeting early on spoke up during a meeting about flying on airplanes and not drinking and said that he always flies American Airlines because the napkins that the flight attendant gives you say AA and that reminded him not to drink
You reminded me of when I was about 90 days sober in 2005. I went to a concert with a friend who doesn't drink b/c he's diabetic. It was difficult for me. Everyone was drinking, my DOC, BEER. The concert was put on by Miller and it was EVERYWHERE. I tried to convince myself I was having a good time, but in reality I was too new to sobriety to enjoy it. I haven't been to a concert since then. Something that I used to do quite regular. 3 yrs later (with a couple shortlived relapses) I don't even entertain the idea of a concert, as I know I would still not enjoy it and would cop a resentment against those who are drinking! Insanity lives on inside me......
So, Kudos to you, girl. Awesome progress.
p.s. Just a thought, be careful of trading addictions (i.e. betting on the horses instead of downing booze!)
((((hugs)))
-- Edited by Doll at 08:37, 2008-08-30
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Life isn't about waiting for the storm to pass... It's about learning to dance in the rain.
Gambling doesn't do it for me...never has.. probably never will. I go once maybe twice a year. I think I like watching the horse rather than betting. Not my fix.
